{{good article}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Forever Howlong | type = studio | artist = Black Country, New Road | cover = Forever Howlong cover.jpg | alt = A red sun shaped figure with blue eyes holding up a hand with a star in its palm on a yellow background | released = {{start date|2025|4|4|df=y}} | recorded = 2024 | venue = | studio = Angelic, Halse | genre = * Alternative rock * indie rock * progressive folk * baroque pop | length = {{Duration|m=52|s=10}} (Standard) <br /> {{Duration|m=56|s=44}} (Japanese) | label = Ninja Tune | producer = James Ford | prev_title = Live at Bush Hall | prev_year = 2023 | next_title = | next_year = | misc = {{Singles | name = Forever Howlong | type = studio | single1 = Besties | single1date = 30 January 2025 | single2 = Happy Birthday | single2date = 3 March 2025 | single3 = For the Cold Country | single3date = 26 March 2025 }} }}
'''''Forever Howlong''''' is the third studio album by the British rock band Black Country, New Road, released on 4 April 2025 via Ninja Tune. It is their first studio album after the departure of lead vocalist Isaac Wood, with vocal and principal songwriting duties being taken over by members Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery, and May Kershaw. It serves as a follow-up to their critically acclaimed second album, ''Ants from Up There'' (2022).
Work on the album began without a clear direction before the band settled on a more cohesive sound. The album was produced by James Ford and saw band members experimenting with new instruments, such as recorders.
The opening track "Besties" was released as a lead single in promotion of the album, followed by "Happy Birthday", and finally "For the Cold Country" before its release. The album was teased with a series of billboards. The album was released to critical acclaim, with critics describing the album as more accessible and uplifting in contrast to their previous albums. A tour in support of the album began on 7 April, and is scheduled to conclude on 4 March 2026.
== Background == Five days before the release of ''Ants from Up There'' (2022), frontman Isaac Wood announced his departure from the band.<ref name="pastebcnr">{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Matt |title=Black Country, New Road Get Into the Groove |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/black-country-new-road/cover-story-black-country-new-road-get-into-the-groove |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=Paste |date=26 March 2025 |archive-date=27 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250327170711/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/black-country-new-road/cover-story-black-country-new-road-get-into-the-groove |url-status=live }}</ref> Wood cited his discomfort from writing and performing songs, but stated he was still on good terms with the members of Black Country, New Road.<ref name="pastebcnr" /> The band refused to play their old material live, feeling that playing it would have been "strange" and "[in]appropriate", and stating it "[wasn't] even an option".<ref name="pastebcnr" /> To make up for the departure and to fulfill their tour dates, the band rapidly wrote and developed songs to perform live, with all members making contributions.<ref name="rsinterview">{{cite news |last1=Richards |first1=Will |title=Black Country, New Road's triple threat |url=https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/black-country-new-road-interview-forever-howlong-49112/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=Rolling Stone UK |date=31 March 2025 |archive-date=1 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250401171833/https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/black-country-new-road-interview-forever-howlong-49112/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These live tracks were compiled as a part of ''Live at Bush Hall'' (2023), which featured a notable shift in lyrics focusing on friendship rather than romance.<ref name="pitchfork">{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Ian |date=30 January 2025 |title=Black Country, New Road Head Into the Unknown |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/black-country-new-road-album-forever-howlong/ |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=30 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130121924/https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/black-country-new-road-album-forever-howlong/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Music == === Production === As work on the album started, the band had no set direction to move in; instead, they randomly went in different directions to see what they enjoyed.<ref name="exlfl">{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Karlie |title=Black Country, New Road Share Long-Awaited New Record 'Forever Howlong' |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/black-country-new-road-share-long-awaited-new-record-forever-howlong |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=Exclaim! |date=4 April 2025 |language=en |archive-date=4 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404145412/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/black-country-new-road-share-long-awaited-new-record-forever-howlong |url-status=live }}</ref> Eventually, they decided on a more cohesive sound.<ref name="exlfl" /> During the production of ''Forever Howlong'', the band would gradually develop tracks for a number of years, keeping the longevity of playing them live in mind.<ref name="rsinterview" /> The band viewed ''Live at Bush Hall'' as a necessary stepping stone, but one that lacked longevity.<ref name="rsinterview" /> In an interview, Hyde stated "I just didn't want to hang out with those songs anymore. They ick me out!"<ref name="rsinterview" />
Vocal performances across ''Forever Howlong'' were taken up by Tyler Hyde, Georgia Ellery, and May Kershaw. Ellery described the process in a ''Pitchfork'' interview as a "healthy competition". Hyde noted the diversity in the three's backgrounds, stating it displayed "a pretty wide spectrum of womanhood".<ref name="pitchfork"/> The album was produced by James Ford in an three week period, with Ford working from 10am to 2am daily.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Tom |date=2025-02-24 |title=Black Country, New Road: Best Of Friends |url=https://diymag.com/interview/black-country-new-road-besties-forever-howlong-february-2025 |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=DIY |language=en |archive-date=30 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250330004819/https://diymag.com/interview/black-country-new-road-besties-forever-howlong-february-2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> Band member Lewis Evans described the new style of lyrics as containing a "pop mentality" which is "catchy and likeable but have a deep-set weirdness". Hyde says that while there are many "tongue-in-cheek moments" in the album, there exist plenty of "darkness within the album as well", explaining that it is much easier to be creatively dark than happy.<ref name="nme" />
The band experimented with new instruments on the album, stating that they learnt the recorder in order to accompany Kershaw's piano compositions.<ref name="pitchfork"/> Ellery, whose violin was crushed due to a touring accident before the recording, had added the mandolin to the record and Kershaw experimented with the harpsichord in some of the singles.<ref name="nme">{{Cite web |last=Rigotti |first=Alex |date=7 February 2025 |title=Black Country, New Road are on a different path now |url=https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/black-country-new-road-interview-besties-forever-howlong-3835803 |access-date=2 March 2025 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=2 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302094343/https://www.nme.com/features/music-features/black-country-new-road-interview-besties-forever-howlong-3835803 |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Composition and lyrics === ''Forever Howlong'' has been described as alternative rock, indie rock, folk, progressive rock and baroque pop.<ref name="AllMusic" /><ref name="nmereview" /><ref name="pfreview" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Damian |title=Black Country, New Road share single 'Besties' and announce new album 'Forever Howlong' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/black-country-new-road-share-jubilant-single-besties-and-announce-new-album-forever-howlong-along-with-2025-uk-and-european-tour-3833203 |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=NME |date=30 January 2025 |archive-date=4 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404104459/https://www.nme.com/news/music/black-country-new-road-share-jubilant-single-besties-and-announce-new-album-forever-howlong-along-with-2025-uk-and-european-tour-3833203 |url-status=live }}</ref> The album's lead single and opener "Besties" discusses themes of friendship and unrequited love.<ref name="Under the Radar" /> Described by ''Rolling Stone UK''{{'s}} Will Richards as a "sprightly ode to female friendship",<ref name="rsukreview" /> it contains a backing track made up of recorders.<ref name="bestfit" /> The band chose the song as the album's opener because of its harpsichord intro, and because they wanted to choose "something loud, something that hits".<ref name="sgbcnr">{{cite news |last1=Leas |first1=Ryan |title=The Story Behind Every Song On Black Country, New Road's New Album 'Forever Howlong' |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2302776/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong-interview/interviews/footnotes-interview/ |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=Stereogum |date=4 April 2025 |language=en}}</ref> "The Big Spin" was one of the last tracks produced for the album, according to Kershaw.<ref name="sgbcnr" /> She also stated the song explores themes of emotional attachment to nature, particularly plants and trees, and how their condition affects people.<ref name="sgbcnr" /> Critic Sophie Flint Vázquez called the song's instrumental "delightfully whimsical".<ref name="DIYreview" /> "Socks" addresses the feeling of emotional exhaustion and anxiety in response to the constant uncertainty caused by the news.<ref name="guardianreview" /> Band member Charlie Wayne has said that it was difficult to write the drums for the song.<ref name="sgbcnr" />
{{Listen | filename = Black Country, New Road - Two Horses.mp3 | title = "Two Horses" | description = "Two Horses" was the first track written by Georgia Ellery for Black Country, New Road. It has been described by critics as country-style song about a solo traveller and the death of her horses. | pos = right }}
"Salem Sisters" contains a piano-pop backing track, with lyrics that draw a comparison between the difficulty of connecting at a summer barbecue and the experience of burning at the stake,<ref name="pfreview" /> containing a section where the tempo changes according to each line of the vocals.<ref name="guardianreview" /> The song was originally called "24/7", and originally contained vocals from Evans before he decided he no longer wanted to sing on it.<ref name="sgbcnr" /> "Two Horses" was described by Matthew Kim of ''The Line of Best Fit'' as a "folksy, progressive" country song sung by Ellery.<ref name="bestfit" /> Its lyrics discuss a woman travelling with two horses, who meets a man at a bar who eventually betrays her and kills her horses.<ref name="sgbcnr" /><ref name="guardianreview" /> The song was the first written by Ellery for Black Country, New Road.<ref name="sgbcnr" /> "Mary" is the only song on the album to feature all three vocalists at once.<ref name="rsukreview" /> Musically, Kyle Kohner of ''Exclaim!'' described it as a "60s folk-pop" song.<ref name="exclaimreview" /> According to Hyde, the song is set in an all-girls school.<ref name="sgbcnr" /> "Happy Birthday", the second single from the album, is made up of layered brass arrangements.<ref name="clashreview" /> The band aimed to make a few "positive rock bangers that would feel great to play" for the album; Hyde stated this was one of them.<ref name="sgbcnr" />
"For the Cold Country", the album's last single, was called "a Medievalist saga" by ''Clash'' critic Cal Cashin that contained complex sections and elements of post-rock.<ref name="clashreview" /> Vázquez described its orchestral crescendo as "a feverish jam session caught on fire",<ref name="DIYreview" /> while Richards compared the "squealing horns" of the outro to ''Ants from Up There''.<ref name="rsukreview" /> According to Kershaw, it took two years to write the track, and that it was made from a lot of trial and error.<ref name="sgbcnr" /> "Nancy Tries to Take the Night" was originally formed during the band's performances at Bush Hall,<ref name="sgbcnr" /> and was characterised by Richards as a "six-minute-plus epic".<ref name="rsukreview" /> Its second-person lyrics explore the pressures of conforming to traditional expectations of female social respectability.<ref name="bestfit" /> "Forever Howlong" is a slow-building track made up of only vocals and a recorder choir.<ref name="DIYreview" /><ref name="AllMusic" /> The track's lyrics discuss topics such as "beans, vitamin B, and microbiome pH".<ref name="DIYreview" /> The closing track "Goodbye (Don't Tell Me)" features "twiddly guitar parts" and a Britpop-inspired chorus, according to Cashin.<ref name="clashreview" /> The song was regarded as quite old, and according to Ellery, it "probably would've been on ''Bush Hall'' if I'd had the time".<ref name="sgbcnr" />
== Release == thumb|Black Country, New Road in 2023 Throughout December 2024 and January 2025, teasers for ''Forever Howlong'' would appear across Black Country, New Road's mailing list and social media pages.<ref name="exclaim">{{Cite web |last=Hudson |first=Alex |date=22 January 2025 |title=Black Country, New Road Releasing New Single Next Week |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/black-country-new-road-are-teasing-something |access-date=24 January 2025 |website=Exclaim! |language=en |archive-date=24 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124224338/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/black-country-new-road-are-teasing-something |url-status=live }}</ref> Billboards teasing the album were placed around London, which featured artwork from the album and a date of 4 April 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Damara Kelly |first1=Tyler |date=24 January 2025 |title=Black Country, New Road tease new single, "Besties" |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/black-country-new-road-tease-new-single-besties |access-date=30 January 2025 |work=The Line of Best Fit |archive-date=1 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201015043/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/black-country-new-road-tease-new-single-besties |url-status=live }}</ref> Three of the billboards included a red button that would illuminate a star when pressed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Damian |date=24 January 2025 |title=Black Country, New Road announce single and tease new album with interactive billboards across London |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/black-country-new-road-announce-new-single-besties-and-tease-new-album-with-interactive-billboards-across-london-3831772 |access-date=24 January 2025 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=24 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124154558/https://www.nme.com/news/music/black-country-new-road-announce-new-single-besties-and-tease-new-album-with-interactive-billboards-across-london-3831772 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The lead single, "Besties", was released on 30 January after being confirmed through a webpage shown after signing up for the band's mailing list.<ref name="exclaim" /> The song was accompanied by a music video directed by Rianne White.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Daisy |date=30 January 2025 |title=Black Country, New Road announce third album 'Forever Howlong' |url=https://diymag.com/news/black-country-new-road-new-album-forever-howlong |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=DIY |language=en |archive-date=30 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250330004819/https://diymag.com/news/black-country-new-road-new-album-forever-howlong |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Evans, Ellery did not sing on any of the ''Live at Bush Hall'' songs, making her appearance on the studio version of "Besties" a notable debut.<ref name="pitchfork" /> The band also announced a tour in support of the album, originally planned to start on 13 May in Chicago, and concluding on 31 October in London.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Darville |first1=Jordan |title=Black Country, New Road announce Forever Howlong, 2025 tour |url=https://www.thefader.com/2025/01/30/black-country-new-road-new-album-forever-howlong-besties-2025-tour-dates |access-date=8 April 2025 |work=The Fader |date=30 January 2025 |language=en |archive-date=23 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323120959/https://www.thefader.com/2025/01/30/black-country-new-road-new-album-forever-howlong-besties-2025-tour-dates |url-status=live }}</ref> The second single, "Happy Birthday", was released on 3 March, alongside a stop-motion animation music video directed by Lesley-Anne Rose.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Carter |first1=Daisy |date=3 March 2025 |title=Black Country, New Road unveil next 'Forever Howlong' preview 'Happy Birthday' |url=https://diymag.com/news/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong-happy-birthday |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=DIY |language=en}}</ref> More UK tour dates were announced alongside the single, with the tour now commencing on 7 April in Stockport.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pappis |first1=Konstantinos |title=Black Country, New Road Drop New Single 'Happy Birthday' |url=https://ourculturemag.com/2025/03/03/black-country-new-road-drop-new-single-happy-birthday/ |access-date=8 April 2025 |work=Our Culture |date=3 March 2025 |archive-date=20 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420125057/https://ourculturemag.com/2025/03/03/black-country-new-road-drop-new-single-happy-birthday/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The third and final single, "For the Cold Country", was released on 26 March 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Walden |title=Listen to Black Country, New Road's New Song "For the Cold Country" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-black-country-new-road-new-song-for-the-cold-country/ |access-date=26 March 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=26 March 2025 |archive-date=26 March 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326153530/https://pitchfork.com/news/listen-to-black-country-new-road-new-song-for-the-cold-country/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
''Forever Howlong'' was released on 4 April 2025 through Ninja Tune on 2xLP, CD and cassette.<ref name="fhvariants">{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Damian |title=Black Country, New Road share single 'Besties' and announce new album 'Forever Howlong' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/black-country-new-road-share-jubilant-single-besties-and-announce-new-album-forever-howlong-along-with-2025-uk-and-european-tour-3833203 |access-date=20 March 2025 |work=NME |date=30 January 2025}}</ref> Multiple variants of the vinyl release were made available, such as a signed white label and releases with alternate artwork.<ref name="fhvariants" /> Variants of both the vinyl and cassette releases dubbed the "Collector's Edition" feature an alternate tracklist.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ewing |first1=Jerry |title="This song was love at first harpsichord!" Black Country, New Road return with video for brand new single Besties |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/this-song-was-love-at-first-harpsichord-black-country-new-road-return-with-video-for-brand-new-single-besties |access-date=20 March 2025 |work=Louder |date=30 January 2025 |language=en |archive-date=17 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250417062603/https://www.loudersound.com/news/this-song-was-love-at-first-harpsichord-black-country-new-road-return-with-video-for-brand-new-single-besties |url-status=live }}</ref> Later tour dates would be announced for Australia and New Zealand, extending the tour to 4 March 2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Downs |first1=Sarah |title=Black Country, New Road Announce Australia Tour |url=https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/black-country-new-road-australia-and-new-zealand-tour-82532/ |access-date=1 October 2025 |work=Rolling Stone Australia |date=26 August 2025 |language=en-AU |archive-date=11 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250911152645/https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/black-country-new-road-australia-and-new-zealand-tour-82532/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
A 12" record with four demos recorded in July 2024 titled ''Forever Howlong Demos: Live at the Cornish Bank'' was released though Rough Trade on 11 November 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Corcoran |first1=Nina |title=Geese, Turnstile, Oklou, and More Releasing Rough Trade Exclusive Vinyl Records |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/geese-turnstile-oklou-releasing-rough-trade-exclusive-vinyl-records/ |access-date=14 November 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=11 November 2025 |archive-date=14 November 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251114002703/https://pitchfork.com/news/geese-turnstile-oklou-releasing-rough-trade-exclusive-vinyl-records/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Critical reception == {{Music ratings | ADM = 8.1/10<ref name="ADM">{{cite web|url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/14267/Black-Country-New-Road-Forever-Howlong.aspx|title=Forever Howlong by Black Country, New Road|publisher=AnyDecentMusic?|accessdate=26 August 2025|archive-date=17 May 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250517031213/http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/14267/Black-Country-New-Road-Forever-Howlong.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> | MC = 83/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |title=Forever Howlong by Black Country, New Road |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/forever-howlong/black-country-new-road |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=3 April 2025 |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403005857/https://www.metacritic.com/music/forever-howlong/black-country-new-road |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/forever-howlong-mw0004467113|title=Forever Howlong by Black Country, New Road {{!}} Album Review|publisher=AllMusic|last=Monger|first=Timothy|date=4 April 2025|access-date=3 April 2025|archive-date=7 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407093009/https://www.allmusic.com/album/forever-howlong-mw0004467113|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Clash'' | rev2score = 9/10<ref name="clashreview">{{cite news |last1=Cashin |first1=Cal |title=Black Country, New Road - Forever Howlong |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong/ |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=Clash |date=4 April 2025 |archive-date=5 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405065409/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev3 = ''DIY'' | rev3score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="DIYreview">{{cite news |last1=Vázquez |first1=Sophie Flint |title=Black Country, New Road - Forever Howlong |url=https://diymag.com/review/album/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=DIY |date=2 April 2025 |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403014653/https://diymag.com/review/album/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev4 = ''Exclaim!'' | rev4score = 8/10<ref name="exclaimreview">{{cite news |last1=Kohner |first1=Kyle |title=Black Country, New Road Are Measured Yet Magnificent on 'Forever Howlong' |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong-album-review |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=Exclaim! |date=31 March 2025 |language=en |archive-date=4 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404215246/https://exclaim.ca/music/article/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong-album-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev5 = ''The Guardian'' | rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="guardianreview">{{cite news |last1=Petridis |first1=Alexis |title=Black Country, New Road: Forever Howlong review – revamped alt-rockers take a newer, weirder road |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/apr/03/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong-review |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=3 April 2025}}</ref> | rev6 = ''The Line of Best Fit'' | rev6score = 9/10<ref name="bestfit">{{cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Matthew |title=Black Country, New Road: Forever Howlong review - messy triumph |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong-messy-human-triumph |access-date=5 April 2025 |work=The Line of Best Fit |date=4 April 2025 |archive-date=4 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404161222/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/albums/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong-messy-human-triumph |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev7 = ''Mojo'' | rev7score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Mojo">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/mojo-may-2025/page/84/mode/2up|title=MOJO Magazine May 2025|website=Mojo|last=Segal|first=Victoria|date=18 March 2025|access-date=28 March 2025}}</ref> | rev8 = ''NME'' | rev8score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="nmereview">{{cite news |last1=Rigotti |first1=Alex |title=Black Country, New Road – 'Forever Howlong' review: a spellbinding prog-folk pivot |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong-review-3851100 |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=NME |date=3 April 2025 |archive-date=3 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403091611/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong-review-3851100 |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev9 = ''Pitchfork'' | rev9score = 7.5/10<ref name="pfreview">{{cite news |last1=Schonfeld |first1=Zach |title=Black Country, New Road: Forever Howlong Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong/ |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=Pitchfork |date=7 April 2025 |archive-date=7 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250407044718/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | rev10 = ''Uncut'' | rev10score = 7/10<ref name="Uncut">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/uncut-magazine-april-2025/page/n27/mode/2up|title=Uncut Magazine April 2025|website=Uncut|last=Sharp|first=Johnny|date=28 February 2025|access-date=28 March 2025}}</ref> }}
''Forever Howlong'' has received acclaim from critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, ''Forever Howlong'' received a rating of 83 out of 100 based on eighteen critic reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".<ref name="MC" /> Similarly, on AnyDecentMusic?, it received a rating of 8.1 out of 10, based on 24 reviews.<ref name="ADM" />
Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Timothy Monger claimed that it was, "Just as wily and unpredictable as anything they've done before, but with the added bonus of being delivered by three distinctive voices".<ref name=AllMusic/> Sophie Vázquez of ''DIY'' praised the album's distinctness and spontaneity and wrote that it is "the band's most uplifting project to date".<ref name="DIYreview" /> Will Richards writing for ''Rolling Stone'' said that ''Forever Howlong'' was a "rich and considered album that bursts with life and creativity".<ref name="rsukreview">{{cite news |last1=Richards |first1=Will |title=Black Country, New Road – 'Forever Howlong' review |url=https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong-album-review-49192/ |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=Rolling Stone UK |date=2 April 2025 |archive-date=4 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404144634/https://www.rollingstone.co.uk/music/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong-album-review-49192/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Marc Abbott wrote that the album is "very nearly perfect" in ''Under the Radar'' and notes how it "melds" multiple genres together.<ref name="Under the Radar">{{Cite web |last=Abbott |first=Marc |title=Forever Howlong |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/forever_howlong_black_country_new_road |access-date=4 April 2025 |website=Under the Radar |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403120225/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/forever_howlong_black_country_new_road |url-status=live }}</ref> Johnny Sharp wrote in ''Uncut'' that the "meandering melodic strands" though the album's breaking of convention "begin to stick" after repeat listens.<ref name="Uncut" /> Matthew Kim of ''The Line of Best Fit'' concluded that the band "never sounded this full before" on ''Forever Howlong'', and said the album was "messy, incohesive, and purely, beautifully human".<ref name="bestfit" /> Zach Schonfeld of ''Pitchfork'' said that harmony played a key part in the album and called the band a "multi-headed beast" with an "overflowing creative spirit".<ref name="pfreview" />
''The Guardian'' critic Alexis Petridis wrote that the band "[struck] an intriguing balance between winsome imagery and darker themes" with the new tone that the album took, calling it "surprising, captivating and unique".<ref name="guardianreview" /> Writing for ''Exclaim!'', Kyle Kohner said that the "calm confidence" of the album would attract new fans, but possibly alienate long-time listeners.<ref name="exclaimreview" /> Kohner also called it "a familiar voice in a new room".<ref name="exclaimreview" /> Victoria Segal of ''Mojo'' compared the band's shift in tone and vocalists to the "Grandfather's Axe paradox" for older fans.<ref name="Mojo" /> She called the album "remarkably unified" and "gloriously intriguing".<ref name="Mojo" /> Donovan Livesey of ''MusicOMH'' wrote that the three vocalists produce "striking cohesion" and called the album "meticulously detailed" and "embraces accessibility without sacrificing the band's intricacy".<ref name="MusicOMH">{{Cite web |last=Livesey |first=Donovan |date=2025-04-01 |title=Black Country, New Road - Forever Howlong {{!}} Album Reviews |url=https://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/black-country-new-road-forever-howlong |access-date=2025-04-03 |website=musicOMH |language=en-GB}}</ref> Writing for ''Clash'', Cal Cashin said it would take listeners a while to "get [their] head around ''Forever Howlong''", but that it was incredibly rewarding.<ref name="clashreview" /> Casey Epstein-Gross of ''Paste'' said that while the album was not always consistent, it was still "undeniably special".<ref name="pastereview">{{cite news |last1=Epstein-Gross |first1=Casey |title=Black Country, New Road Watch Their Past Detonate on the Stunning, Gentle Forever Howlong |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/black-country-new-road/black-country-new-road-watch-their-past-detonate-on-the-stunning-gentle-forever-howlong |access-date=9 April 2025 |work=Paste |date=8 April 2025 |archive-date=9 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409094137/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/black-country-new-road/black-country-new-road-watch-their-past-detonate-on-the-stunning-gentle-forever-howlong |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Our Culture'' writer Konstantinos Pappis wrote that ''Forever Howlong'' "manages to paint the deepest conflicts over a lovely, delightful musical canvas", and referred to Black Country, New Road as a "resilient group".<ref name="ocreview">{{cite news |last1=Pappis |first1=Konstantinos |date=8 April 2025 |title=Album Review: Black Country, New Road, 'Forever Howlong' |url=https://ourculturemag.com/2025/04/08/album-review-black-country-new-road-forever-howlong/ |access-date=9 April 2025 |work=Our Culture |archive-date=9 April 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409094141/https://ourculturemag.com/2025/04/08/album-review-black-country-new-road-forever-howlong/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Track listing == {{Track listing | headline = ''Forever Howlong'' track listing | all_music = Georgia Ellery, Lewis Evans, Tyler Hyde, May Kershaw, Luke Mark, and Charlie Wayne | title1 = Besties | lyrics1 = Ellery | length1 = 3:36 | title2 = The Big Spin | lyrics2 = Kershaw | length2 = 2:31 | title3 = Socks | lyrics3 = Hyde | length3 = 6:07 | title4 = Salem Sisters | lyrics4 = {{hlist|Hyde|Wayne|Rachid Fakhre}} | length4 = 3:10 | title5 = Two Horses | lyrics5 = Ellery | length5 = 6:26 | title6 = Mary | lyrics6 = Hyde | length6 = 4:06 | title7 = Happy Birthday | lyrics7 = Hyde | length7 = 4:06 | title8 = For the Cold Country | lyrics8 = Kershaw | length8 = 6:27 | title9 = Nancy Tries to Take the Night | lyrics9 = Hyde | length9 = 6:36 | title10 = Forever Howlong | lyrics10 = Kershaw | length10 = 4:48 | title11 = Goodbye (Don't Tell Me) | lyrics11 = Ellery | length11 = 4:17 | total_length = 52:10 }}
{{Track listing | headline = Japanese bonus track<ref>{{Cite web |title=BEATINK.COM / Forever Howlong |url=https://www.beatink.com/products/detail.php?product_id=14665 |access-date=2025-01-31 |website=BEATINK.COM |language=ja |archive-date=30 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130131633/https://www.beatink.com/products/detail.php?product_id=14665 |url-status=live }}</ref> | title12 = Forever Howlong | note12 = live at the Cornish Bank, Falmouth | length12 = 4:34 | total_length = 56:44 }}
===Notes=== * Tracks 8 through to 11 are listed in reverse order on the ''Collector's Edition'' 2LP. "Forever Howlong" is additionally split into two separate tracks, with "Forever" on side C and "Howlong" on side D.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forever Howlong Collectors Edition 2LP |url=https://black-country-new-road.myshopify.com/products/forever-howlong-collectors-edition-2lp |access-date=30 January 2025 |website=Black Country New Road |language=en |archive-date=1 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250201234125/https://black-country-new-road.myshopify.com/products/forever-howlong-collectors-edition-2lp |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Collector's Edition'' cassette also contains the alternate tracklist, but does not split "Forever Howlong" into two tracks.
== Personnel == Credits adapted from the album's liner notes and Tidal.<ref>{{cite AV media notes |title=Forever Howlong |others=Black Country, New Road |date=4 April 2025 |publisher=Ninja Tune}}</ref><ref>https://tidal.com/album/414719587/credits</ref>
===Black Country, New Road=== * Georgia Ellery – lead vocals (1, 5, 11), mandolin (1, 2, 4, 5, 7), violin (2, 3, 8–10), backing vocals (4, 6–8), tenor recorder (10), acoustic guitar (11) * Lewis Evans – alto saxophone (1–5, 7, 9–11), flute (5–7, 9–11), tenor recorder (10), bass clarinet (10), clarinet (10) * Tyler Hyde – bass (1–5, 7–11), backing vocals (1, 5, 8, 11), lead vocals (3–7, 9), piano (3), acoustic guitar (6, 7, 9), harmonium (9), recorder (10), clarinet (10) * May Kershaw – harpsichord (1, 4, 8, 11), backing vocals (1, 4–7, 11), piano (2–5, 7–11), accordion (2, 8, 10), lead vocals (2, 8, 10) * Luke Mark – acoustic guitar (1–3, 5–9, 11), electric guitar (1, 3, 4, 7–9, 11), lap steel guitar (2, 10, 11), tenor recorder (10) * Charlie Wayne – drums (1–5, 7–9, 11), timpani (2, 4, 8), percussion (2, 4, 8), banjo (5, 6, 9, 10), tenor recorder (10)
===Additional contributors=== * James Ford – production * Luke Gibbs – engineering * Brodie Griffin – engineering assistance * Cass Whiley-Morton – engineering assistance * Nathan Boddy – mixing * Matt Colton – mastering * Jordan Kee – paintings * Ginny Davies – creative direction, design * Rachid Fakhre - writing on "Salem Sisters"
== Charts == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |+ Chart performance for ''Forever Howlong'' ! scope="col"| Chart (2025) ! scope="col"| Peak<br />position |- ! scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aria.com.au/charts/albums-chart/2025-04-14|title=ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association|date=14 April 2025|access-date=11 April 2025|archive-date=11 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411083337/https://www.aria.com.au/charts/albums-chart/2025-04-14|url-status=live}}</ref> | 22 |- {{album chart|Austria|32|artist=Black Country, New Road|album=Forever Howlong|rowheader=true|access-date=13 April 2025}} |- {{album chart|Flanders|69|artist=Black Country, New Road|album=Forever Howlong|rowheader=true|access-date=13 April 2025}} |- {{album chart|Netherlands|53|artist=Black Country, New Road|album=Forever Howlong|rowheader=true|access-date=12 April 2025}} |- {{album chart|Germany|16|id=549321|artist=Black Country, New Road|album=Forever Howlong|rowheader=true|access-date=11 April 2025}} |- {{album chart|Ireland3|38|date=20250411|rowheader=true|access-date=11 April 2025}} |- ! scope="row"| New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2025-04-11|title=NZ Top 40 Albums Chart|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|date=11 April 2025|access-date=11 April 2025|archive-date=11 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411105556/https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/albums/2025-04-11|url-status=live}}</ref> | 31 |- ! scope="row"| Portuguese Albums (AFP)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://audiogest.pt/uploads/files/file_2025-04-17-11-38-40.pdf|title=Top 200 Álbuns Semana 15 de 2025|page=2|publisher=Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa|access-date=18 April 2025|language=pt-pt|archive-date=18 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250418121937/https://audiogest.pt/uploads/files/file_2025-04-17-11-38-40.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> | 75 |- {{album chart|Scotland|3|date=20250411|rowheader=true|access-date=12 April 2025}} |- {{album chart|UK2|3|date=20250411|rowheader=true|access-date=11 April 2025}} |- {{album chart|UKIndependent|1|date=20250411|rowheader=true|access-date=12 April 2025}} |- ! scope="row"| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2025-04-19/|title=''Billboard'' 200: Week of April 19, 2025|magazine=Billboard|access-date=15 April 2025|archive-date=15 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250415142018/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2025-04-19/|url-status=live}}</ref> | 135 |- ! scope="row"| US Top Rock & Alternative Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/top-rock-alternative-albums/2025-04-19/|title=Top Rock & Alternative Albums: Week of April 19, 2025|magazine=Billboard|access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref> | 29 |}
== References == {{reflist}}
{{BCNR}}
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Category:Black Country, New Road albums Category:2025 albums Category:Ninja Tune albums Category:Albums produced by James Ford (musician)