Elton John and Brandi Carlile – Who Believes In Angels?

Label: Island EMI
Released: 4th April 2025

Two musical forces collide with the grace of celestial bodies on ‘Who Believes In Angels?’, a collaboration that reads like a love letter to possibility itself. Where some duets can feel like contractual obligations set to music, Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s sparkles with creative electricity and love for both each other and their craft.

‘The Rose of Laura Nyro’ kicks things off with muscular guitar work that wouldn’t sound out of place in either artist’s catalogue – imagine a vintage Cadillac retrofitted with rocket boosters. It’s a statement of intent: this isn’t mere tribute, but transformation.

Carlile’s distinctive voice takes command on ‘Swing For The Fences’, delivering the kind of raw emotional punch that would make even the most cynical critic’s heart skip. ‘Little Richard’s Bible’ follows with a delicious slice of rock’n’roll revival that practically demands movement, wedding the energy of youth with hard-earned wisdom.

The album’s emotional centre orbits around mortality and connection. The title-track pairs Elton’s signature piano flourishes with lyrics that face the infinite with clear eyes and full hearts. ‘Never Too Late’ wraps itself around you like a favourite jumper, while ‘You Without Me’ strips everything back to let Carlile’s storytelling abilities shine unadorned.

‘A Little Light’ and ‘When This Old World Is Done With Me’ bring proceedings to a close with meditations on endings and perseverance. The latter especially resonates, perfectly capturing life’s endless cycles of change.

What elevates ‘Who Believes In Angels?’ is the palpable joy of creation – every track feels essential, considered, alive. This is what happens when two behemoths of musical excellence find common ground, not in nostalgia, but in the endless possibility of what comes next.