Elton John and Brandi Carlile Collaborate on New Album

London, England — Elton John has teamed up with American singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile for a new album titled “Who Believes in Angels?” set for release on April 4, 2025. The partnership came to fruition in just three weeks of studio work, marking a fresh chapter in John’s illustrious career.

In an interview, Elton expressed his excitement and apprehension about the project, noting, “It was a risk, but it was a risk I wanted to take long before we made the album.” The collaboration took place after the completion of John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour in July 2024, when he entered the studio with Carlile, longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, and producer Andrew Watt.

Despite having no songs written prior to their studio sessions, the team produced ten tracks in a remarkably brief period. John admitted feeling nervous and filled with self-doubt during the initial phases, as he wished for the album’s success. “Harmonizing with someone else is so difficult, and this album is all about harmonies,” he stated.

Brandi Carlile, who has also enjoyed significant success in her career, defended John against his self-assessments, stating, “I think that’s too strong a word, he wasn’t a nightmare!” This mutual respect highlights the dynamic of their creative partnership.

The musical style of the upcoming album marks a departure from John’s earlier works. John revealed, “It has energy, even the slow tracks have a certain freshness about them.” He praised Carlile’s talent, emphasizing, “She’s just so creative, it just pours out of her.”

Carlile shared insights into the writing process, disclosing that John encouraged her to bring upbeat themes and energetic concepts to the lyrics. “He said, everyone expects us to make a ballad album, he’s like, ‘I want to hear energy, positive themes, up-tempo, excitement. I want this to be explosive,’” she recalled.

Elton John, who turns 78 this year, has expressed intentions to continue creating music. He reflected on themes of mortality and fatherhood in his songwriting, emphasizing, “It’s definitely not the last album, this is the beginning of a new Elton John album career.” With this collaboration, both artists aim to capture a newfound vitality in their music.