Forever Howlong

Forever Howlong
Forever Howlong
Studio album by Black Country, New Road
Released	4 April 2025
Recorded	2024
Length	52:10
Label	Ninja Tune
Producer	James Ford
Black Country, New Road chronology
Singles from Forever Howlong
	"Besties"; Released: 30 January 2025;

Forever Howlong is the upcoming third studio album by British rock band Black Country, New Road. Set to be released on 4 April 2025 via Ninja Tune, it will be their first studio album after the departure of lead vocalist Isaac Wood, with vocal and principal songwriting duties being taken over by members Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery, and May Kershaw.^[1] It will serve as a follow-up to their critically acclaimed second album, Ants from Up There (2022).

Background

After the release of Ants from Up There (2022), the departure of frontman Isaac Wood led to the band having to rapidly develop new music for their scheduled tour dates. These live tracks were compiled as a part of Live at Bush Hall (2023), which featured a notable shift in lyrics focusing on friendship rather than romance.^[2] In Forever Howlong, vocals are performed by the three female members of the band, Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery, and May Kershaw. Ellery described the process in a Pitchfork interview as a "healthy competition". Hyde noted the diversity in the three's backgrounds, stating it displayed "a pretty wide spectrum of womanhood".^[2] The album was produced by James Ford, who worked 16 hour days for three weeks.^[2]

The band stated they learnt the recorder in order to accompany Kershaw's piano compositions.^[2]

Promotion and release

Teasers for Forever Howlong appeared throughout December 2024 and January 2025 on the band's social media and mailing list.^[3] Billboards promoting the album were placed around London which featured artwork from the album, as well as the date "04.04.2025".^[4] Three of the billboards included a red button that would illuminate a star when pressed.^[5]

On January 22, the release of the first single "Besties" on January 30 was confirmed through a webpage displayed after signing up for the mailing list.^[3] It is accompanied by a music video directed by Rianne White.^[6]

Critical reception

In a review of "Besties", Matt Mitchell of Paste wrote that "Ellery steps into the lead vocalist role flawlessly, her voice dappled in warmth by Kershaw’s harpsichord".^[7]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Charlie Wayne, Georgia Ellery, Lewis Evans, Luke Mark, May Kershaw, and Tyler Hyde.

*Forever Howlong* track listing
No.	Title	Length
1.	"Besties"	3:36
2.	"The Big Spin"	2:31
3.	"Socks"	6:07
4.	"Salem Sisters"	3:10
5.	"Two Horses"	6:26
6.	"Mary"	4:06
7.	"Happy Birthday"	4:06
8.	"For the Cold Country"	6:27
9.	"Nancy Tries to Take the Night"	6:36
10.	"Forever Howlong"	4:48
11.	"Goodbye (Don’t Tell Me)"	4:17
Total length:		52:10

Japanese bonus track^[8]
No.	Title	Length
12.	"Forever Howlong" (live at the Cornish Bank, Falmouth)

Note

Tracks 8 through 11 are listed in reverse order on the Collector's Edition 2LP. "Forever Howlong" is additionally split into two separate tracks.^[9]

References

^ Murry, Robin (2025-01-30). "Black Country, New Road Announce New Album 'Forever Howlong'". Clash. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Cohen, Ian (2025-01-30). "Black Country, New Road Head Into the Unknown". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
^ ^a ^b "Black Country, New Road Releasing New Single Next Week". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (24 January 2025). "Black Country, New Road tease new single, "Besties"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 January 2025.
^ Jones, Damian (2025-01-24). "Black Country, New Road announce single and tease new album with interactive billboards across London". NME. Retrieved 2025-01-24.
^ "Black Country, New Road announce third album 'Forever Howlong'". DIY. 2025-01-30. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
^ "Black Country, New Road Announce Long-Awaited Third Album, Forever Howlong". Paste. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
^ "BEATINK.COM / Forever Howlong". BEATINK.COM (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-01-31.
^ "Forever Howlong Collectors Edition 2LP". Black Country New Road. Retrieved 2025-01-30.

[1] Murry, Robin (2025-01-30). "Black Country, New Road Announce New Album 'Forever Howlong'". Clash. Retrieved 2025-01-30.

[pitchfork-2] Cohen, Ian (2025-01-30). "Black Country, New Road Head Into the Unknown". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-01-30.

[exclaim-3] "Black Country, New Road Releasing New Single Next Week". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2025-01-24.

[4] Damara Kelly, Tyler (24 January 2025). "Black Country, New Road tease new single, "Besties"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 January 2025.

[5] Jones, Damian (2025-01-24). "Black Country, New Road announce single and tease new album with interactive billboards across London". NME. Retrieved 2025-01-24.

[6] "Black Country, New Road announce third album 'Forever Howlong'". DIY. 2025-01-30. Retrieved 2025-01-30.

[7] "Black Country, New Road Announce Long-Awaited Third Album, Forever Howlong". Paste. Retrieved 2025-01-30.

[8] "BEATINK.COM / Forever Howlong". BEATINK.COM (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-01-31.

[9] "Forever Howlong Collectors Edition 2LP". Black Country New Road. Retrieved 2025-01-30.

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