Black Country, New Road - Besties

I'm a walking TikTok trend
But the colour runs out in the end

Welcome back, Black Country, New Road! Who knew I desperately needed a baroque-pop BCNR? But here we are, and it’s glorious. Besties, the lead single from their upcoming album Forever Howlong, marks the band’s first major studio release since Ants From Up There, and with it comes a striking evolution.

After Isaac Wood’s departure, the group faced a creative crossroads. After all, he was the voice of the band. Reinvention was inevitable, but how exactly would they pull it off? Enter Georgia Ellery, stepping into the vocal spotlight with a delivery that’s softer, airier, yet just as emotionally resonant. Her presence gives Besties an entirely new texture, but the band’s signature theatricality and intricate instrumentation remain intact.

The shift is noticeable but natural. Besties is a delicate, almost whimsical affair, built on lush arrangements and a sense of playful melancholy. It feels light-headed, knowingly self-aware, yet still carries the emotional weight that defines BCNR. They sound different, yes, but they also sound like a band excited about their own possibilities. And if this is just the first taste of Forever Howlong, we’re in for something special.

8.4/10