Playing, Dancing, Growing: BCNR’s whimsical “Forever Howlong”
Graphic by Sofia Giarrusso
by Sophie Parrish
With the enchantment of a harpsichord and the twirl of a dancing saxophone, Black Country, New Road (BCNR) reacquaints themselves with the world through their new album, Forever Howlong. . Taking a three-year period to reevaluate and quite literally rebuild their musical dynamic following the loss of lead vocalist Isaac Wood in 2022, they have proven themselves to be an ever-changing artistic collective. BCNR’s highly anticipated return marks them as officially “back,” and some could argue better than ever.
While BCNR may not need a formal introduction—given their seven-year presence in the prog-rock scene—this release serves as a reintroduction of sorts. They describe the album’s surprising change in tone as a “reflection of currency,” which highlights their communication as artists and prioritization of their evolving interests. It’s no longer 2018, a time when their formation was fresh and marked by the angsty, confusing transition into adulthood that resonated in their lyrics. Despite speculation, it seems to me that their preference for brighter tones and whimsical storytelling is a product of growing up, rather than a response to the loss of a member. Although I miss Wood’s charming off-key whining vocals, I appreciate the new direction BCNR has found with Forever Howlong. While it’s anything but refined or seamless, the transition is refreshing to a discography previously dominated by the vocals and experiences of its male members. The album marks a clear step toward the band’s sense of wholeness: it’s a realization of friendship they had always hoped would be at the forefront of their creative process.
Before Forever Howlong, they released three singles: “Besties,” “Happy Birthday,” and “For the Cold Country.” The first of these, “Besties,” came as a shock to many listeners, myself included. It opens with a rich tapestry layered with harpsichord, saxophone, and fluctuating vocals, creating a whimsical atmosphere that continues throughout the album. The song quickly transitions into a mellow confession of platonic love, initially accompanied by acoustic guitar, which gradually builds with the other instrumentation. This song displays a duality not only in its composition but also in its lyrics, in which vocalist Georgia Ellery’s brutal honesty shines. The track concludes with the lines, “Just lean into it/ I’m a walking TikTok trend/ But the color runs out in the end,” leaving listeners ruminating on a vivid image distinct with recency. Ellery’s lead vocal debut with the band captures her personality while aligning with the band’s exploration of their platonic dynamics.
Two weeks after their first single release, the band’s joyfully haunting “Happy Birthday” made its way into the world after a life previously limited to live performances. The song’s construction came after that of “Besties” which heavily influenced its composition in which the arrangements fell perfectly into place. Though it's chalked full of imagery of death and decay, the song’s instrumentals are surprisingly uplifting. The piano carries the base of the tune while the ripping bass and charming mandolin adds a layer of attraction that beautifies the track's message of the relationship between privilege and the harsh reality of the world as we know it.
Similar to the history of the second single, “For the Cold Country” was originally a work in progress that made its way into the setlists of BCNR’s live shows. Then, it existed only between those attending the shows and the band themselves. With a unique sense of mystique about the request, the band asked for no recordings of the track as they all had hopes for its final realization as an epic accomplishment of storytelling. Even in its early stages, they knew it would become something much richer, more telling, and ultimately more satisfactory to their creative vision. With years of perfecting its evocative storytelling, it finally came into fruition as the final release before the whole of Forever, Howlong. Now, as it exists within the context of the three singles, it's an impressive feat of musical coordination. Characterized by a slow build towards a descent into a complete cathartic release. May Kershaw’s frantic vocals and a swarming violin work in tandem towards an impressive finale of soul-stirring quiet.
As a whole, Forever Howlong retains many of the distinct qualities of BCNR while also introducing new elements to their sound. The most striking attribute of the album is its memorable storytelling, which spans all eleven songs. With themes of friendship, childhood, and life and death, the group shares their experiences with the constant ebb and flow and their own individuality. In true BCNR style, the lyrics are jarring at times, and I was often taken aback by the persistent presence of death looming throughout the album. They counterbalance these unsettling feelings with a whimsical imagination, presenting both the good and the bad—not as something to merely endure, but—as something to fall in love with. It’s refreshing to witness them finding meaning despite the hardships they have faced in recent years as told in “Socks” with the lines “In dark, there comes the light/ And we must try with all our might/ To keep this thing alive.”
Upon comparing their last studio album with their most recent, I notice a drastic shift in their lyricism, reflecting a sense of rebuilding rather than crumbling. They now blend the optimism prevalent in Live at Bush Hall with the pessimism of Ants From Up There, to create a sincere amalgamation of true emotion. While the journey may not always be a “hop, skip,” it certainly represents a steady step toward unity for the group.
Forever Howlong is an impressive effort from BCNR. Each member showcases their lyrics or vocals, demonstrating that they are honing in on what brought them together as musicians in the first place. The content of the album is evidence of their bond, which has only been deepened over time. I commend their growth and their continued commitment to their distinct style of composition, making them one of the most intriguing groups of the past few years. BCNR is no longer scared of a world where they’re needed; instead, they’ve found comfort in a fear they believe in.