By Martin Bradesca, Contributor

[Ninja Tune; 2025]

Rating: 8/10

After facing an uncertain future with the departure of their frontman Isaac Wood, Black Country, New Road has finally returned with their first piece of studio music, “Besties,” since their sophomore release Ants From Up There. Although their 2023 live album Live From Bush Hall satiated the appetite of fans for a while, a proper studio release without the influence of Wood has finally been announced for later this year, called Forever Howlong.

“Besties” marks a departure from the mentally-heavy and melancholic vocal stylings of the band’s first two albums, credited to a shift in vocal duties to violinist Georgia Ellery, also of Jockstrap fame. The track features more approachable lyrics, as well as a more hopeful delivery. The band also still manages to include some of their classic pop culture references with lyrics like “I’m a walking TikTok trend.” Overall, the lyrics are much less direct than their previous work, which allows the vocals themselves and the instrumentation shine.

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The song also leans into the band’s tendencies to play baroque and chamber pop, especially with a harpsichord as the main instrument. While the band maintains a lot of the same instrumentation and stylings of their sophomore album Ants From Up There, the creative production and new instruments give the song a revitalized sound and modern flair.

Although some may write off this new direction of the band as a consequence of the loss of their former frontman, Black Country, New Road is still creating innovative and exciting music while giving the other members a chance to show their talents in greater detail. 

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