Black Country, New Road, named “the best band in the world” by The Quietus, arrives in Control this April, on Thursday 23.
The British collective emerged at the end of the last decade surfing the post-Brexit new wave. And there are few contemporary bands who can do musical reinvention quite as consistently as them. From their Mercury Music Prize-nominated debut For the First Time, which touched upon everything from jazz to post-rock via klezmer music, to the art-rock meets chamber pop follow up Ants From Up There (both top 5 charting albums).
“Britain's most divisive new band” - The Guardian
“Britain’s best new band” - Mojo
The band’s ability to respond to changing circumstances is not only down to their close-knit friendship but due to their talent, adaptability and long-standing relationship together as musicians. A mix of classically trained and self-taught, the multi-instrumentalists gathered steam as a band in the late 2010s, regularly playing The Windmill in Brixton alongside friends and peers such as Squid and Black Midi, and soon found themselves being labelled "the best band in the world" by The Quietus.
Their deep-rooted attachment and connection are the foundations of their latest album, “Forever Howlong”. And it’s also a hugely ambitious and singular record, which is glisteningly produced by James Ford (Fontaines D.C., Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, Blur).
It’s a framework that includes everything from folk to prog via baroque pop and touches of alt rock – with nods to a variety of artists such as Joanna Newsom, Randy Newman, Fiona Apple and Janis Ian – yet all the while retaining that unmistakably unique sound that only this combination of musicians can come up with.
Forever Howlong is an album that once again proves no records of theirs will ever sound the same, while also cementing the fact that there’s nobody coming even remotely close to making music that sounds like BC,NR right now.
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* Children ages 12 and under are not allowed.
** Children up to 16 years old need a valid ticket and must be accompanied by a parent with a valid ticket.
*** Minors aged 16 to 18 years old have access with a valid ticket.
**** Serving and alcohol consumption are strictly forbidden for all minors.