Black Country, New Road have shared their latest single ‘Happy Birthday’ following the announcement of their soon-to-be released album ‘Forever Howlong’. The song serves as the second preview of the forthcoming record, succeeding lead single ‘Besties’.
With the expected release date of ‘Forever Howlong’ set for April 4 via Ninja Tune, the band have also revealed plans for a new run of intimate shows to take place in April; the sextet will take to the stage to play the album in its entirety in celebration of its launch, hitting locations such as Stockport, Edinburgh, Leeds, Birmingham, Southampton, and Norwich. These dates will precede their upcoming US, EU, and UK tours later this year, including their headline show at the O2 Academy Brixton, London. ‘Forever Howlong’ marks the band’s subsequent step in studio recording: their third full-length release following the previous successes of ‘Ants form Up There’ (2022) and debut album ‘For the First Time’ (2021), the former landing at #3 on the UK album charts.
Produced by James Ford (Artic Monkeys, Gorillaz, Depeche Mode), the band’s sonic journey takes another bend, splitting vocal and songwriting duties between female members Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery, and May Kershaw.
‘Happy Birthday’ represents Black Country New Road’s commitment to an ever-evolving sound. Hyde explains, “When I wrote ‘Happy Birthday,’ I had Georgia’s song ‘Besties’ in mind, which influenced its structure.” The track slowly builds, incorporating piano and guitar, with Hyde’s lyrics reflecting on generational differences. Culminating in a rhapsodic finale, it showcases an introspective mood that engages listeners in the band’s classic nature. The single is also accompanied by a stop-motion music video, directed by Lesley-Anne Rose (other works include music videos for artists such as Kathryn WIlliams and Richard Dawson). The video visually explores the story of two birds in the woods helping each other to escape hunters, abstractedly relating to the song’s themes.
The band has also revealed the tracklist for ‘Forever Howlong’, as follows:
- Besties
- The Big Spin
- Socks
- Salem Sisters
- Two Horses
- Mary
- Happy Birthday
- For the Cold Country
- Nancy Tries to Take the Night
- Forever Howlong
- Goodbye (Don’t Tell Me)
The album will be released in several formats: a standard 2LP on recycled black vinyl, a signed white label 2LP, an Indie-exclusive 2LP with special artwork, a Collector’s Edition 2LP in translucent eco jazz red with a different track listing, and a Collector’s Edition Cassette, also with the alternate track listing.
Forming in 2018 in Cambridge, Black Country, New Road’s current line-up consists of Tyler Hyde (vocals, bass), Georgia Ellery (vocals, violin), May Kershaw (vocals, keys), Lewis Evans (vocals, flute, saxophone), Charlie Wayne (drums, backing vocals), and Luke Mark (guitar) – replacing former lead vocalist Isaac Wood in 2021. Blending genres of folk, prog, and alt rock, the band have been praised by critics for their distinct voice and diverse approach to music, with debut album ‘For the First Time’ receiving a Mercury Prize nomination in 2021. Post Wood’s departure, the group released a live album ‘Live at Bush Hall’ in 2023, featuring at-the-time new material, solidifying Black Country, New Road’s destined success despite setbacks.
‘Forever Howlong’ is available for pre-order now.
