On February 6th 2025, both Brandi Carlile and Elton John collaborated in a in-tandem announcement of their long rumoured collaboration album. Who Believes in Angels? comes out on April 4th. The announcement co-incided with the first formal single – the title track from the album.
It was made over a 3 week period in October 2023, with Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Bernie Taupin and producer Andrew Watt. The artwork for the album and title track video is by a long time collaborator of Elton John’s, David LaChappelle.
Also in the ‘backing band’ is, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers) – who also played on early Brandi Carlile album, Pino Palladino (Nine Inch Nails) and Josh Klinghoffer (Pearl Jam, Beck).
The first track released from the album was actually Never Too Late – but no-one knew that was the first track. It was instead released in time for the film by the same name.
5th March – third single released: Swing from the Fences. This was timed with signed art cards announced on both artists sites. A new behind the scenes footage video accompanied the song release. Then on 13th March, the official video was unveiled. A music video by acclaimed director, Xavier Dolan and choregrapher Damien Jalet, and featuring dancers William Darby and Abdalla Amour, it is a simple dance piece eluding to exploring senuality and gay liberation. It was created by the EMI inhouse creative studio “Studio Island”.
The icon that the artwork of the album and video is inpsired by is the pinball machine from Captain Fantastic era.
Elton John first hinted at this album it during his induction speech for Bernie Taupin in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October 2023. Then on 28th December 2023, reported by Clash Magazine the leak from Pete Townshend.
“Sessions commenced almost immediately, and the album was completed in a matter of days. “Elton is so fraught with loss at not knowing what to do next. He’s just gone over to LA to make an album with Brandi Carlile. They made an album together in two weeks. He says it’s one of the best things they’ve ever done”.
However, no clear reason for the delay, except for Elton’s health and eyesight infection in 2024, it took almost 18 months for it to be released. During that time, Brandi Carlile and the twins, took back over their own management, from Red Light Management who they had been with for many years. Both Elton and Brandi are now mainly managed respectively by their partners, David Furnish and Catherine Carlile.
In an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Elton John said they recorded 14 songs, but with 10 on the main album. On the DVD release there is an extra song, “Lord Let Me”. Which leaves 3 more songs to possibly released on further limited, or delux releases.
During release week, Elton John Brandi Carlile (and the twins) played live on the GRaham Norton show. (video)
The Track list includes:
TRACK LIST
1. The Rose Of Laura Nyro
2. Little Richard’s Bible
3. Swing For The Fences
4. Never Too Late
5. You Without Me
6. Who Believes In Angels?
7. The River Man
8. A Little Light
9. Someone To Belong To
10. When This Old World Is Done With Me
(bonus track Lord Help Me) on DVD release.
Who Believes in Angels will be released on April 4th in the following formats:
7 x vinyl variations
4 x CD variations
1 x Boxset with CD/DVD (extra song)
3 x Cassette
1 x Blue Ray – Dobly Atmos with video documentary
Vinyl 1 – Marble Purple Vinyl both artist sites
March 5th (day of single release “Swing from The Fences) an alternative version that was a limited release comes with Signed Art card by Elton John on his site and signed art card by Brandi on her site. (in the UKsigned was only released in bundles example below.).
Vinyl 2 – Tri Color Vinyl – Limited Edition – both artist sites – Store Exclusive
Vinyl 3 – Target Exclusive: Coke Bottle Green vinyl
Vinyl 4 – Indi Record Stores Exclusive – Neon Pink Transparent Vinyl
Vinyl 5 – Spotify Fans First Limited Edition Blue Splatter Vinyl
Vinyl 6 – Blood Records exclusive. Sold out on site in 30 minutes, 21 Feb 2025. Red and yellow colour-in-colour LP with 16-page pull-out booklet and gatefold mirror-board sleeve, limited to 2,000 and hand-numbered.
Vinyl 7 – German only exclusive – 200 copies – white label and signed. Went online on 22 March.
DVD 1. – Elton John & Brandi Carlile / Who Believes In Angels? – SDE exclusive blu-ray
Limited to 2000. The exclusive blu-ray features a Dolby Atmos Mix of the new record (by John Hanes), alongside a 5.1 mix and a hi-res stereo version. #39 in the ongoing SDE Surround Series
The SDE exclusive blu-ray content including:
Who Believes In Angels – music video
Who Believes In Angels? – Dolby Atmos Mix (48/24)
Who Believes In Angels? – 5.1 Surround Mix (48/24)
Who Believes In Angels? – Hi-Res Stereo Mix (96/24)
Stories From The Edge Of Creation: Song by Song – video content (28 mins)
Boxset 1 – CD Clamshell box with DVD – with extra song “Lord Let Me” Limited Edition – both artist sites
CD 1 – Tri-color CD – both artist sites
CD 2 – Tri-color CD – Signed card by Elton John (came on sale at some stores on 1 March)
CD 3 – Amazon Exclusive Cover CD
CD 4 – Japan exclusive.
This from Ebay seller:
JAPAN FIRST PRESS EDITION CD
JAPAN ONLY HIGH QUALITY SHM-CD FORMAT
JAPAN ONLY “NEW MUSIC FRIDAYS” BLUE STICKER (ATTACHED)
JAPAN ONLY OBI STRIP
JAPAN ONLY LINER NOTES & LYRICS TRANSLATION BOOKLET(BILINGUAL TEXT)
1x JAPAN PREORDER ONLY LIMITED EDITION PROMO (“NOT FOR SALE”) 24x24cm MEGAJACKET!!! (メガジャケ)This megajacket is an official lithograph of the album cover released only in Japan by Universal Music Japan and comes inside its original resealable bag
Cassette 1 – Sea Green cassette (limited edition).
Cassette 2 – Fluorescent cassette
Cassette 3 – Purple cassette
Vinyl 7inch 1 – Never Too Late – 7 inch promo single – extremely limited – that was sent out with a “letter” by Elton John when the movie came out.
Below is a list of interviews done in the week of announcement that are worth a look at.
BBC Music – video interview. Scott Mills.
Smooth Radio – video interview
993kjoy instagram video
Iheart Radio
Variety Interview with Chris Willman
SCL video interview with Melinda Newman – Brandi, Elton and Bernie TaupinV
Hollywood Reporter video interview
