S Poddar
Some retirements are more active than others, and Sir Elton John’s so-called farewell from music seems to be anything but final. His latest release, Who Believes In Angels? — a stunning duet with Brandi Carlile — proves his creative fire remains burning bright. A melancholy, orchestral ballad, it hearkens to his golden period, echoing that sense of drama and timelessness from his best work of the 1970s.
If soaring melody and heartfelt lyrics plus an unforgettable arrangement could do the trick, perhaps this is his best song in 25 years. From those opening cascading piano notes on, Who Believes In Angels? whisks away the listener into a familiar, yet new soundscape. That unmistakable piano glides effortlessly through the song, all complemented by a rich, retro-infused instrumental backdrop.
Carlile’s ethereal voice soars in ways Elton himself hasn’t attempted in decades, while his signature bluesy tone provides an emotional anchor.
As he sings, “I have been there, man, I have been there,” you can feel the weight of experience behind each word. The song is more than just an isolation release; in fact, it has the position of lead single for a yet-to-be-released album under the same title. If the rest of the record will be this one, listeners are bound to be treated to great music. It had been some time since 2001’s Songs From The West Coast became a career highlight; Who Believes In Angels? resonates almost as if something much greater was being promised-a reversion of his 1970s heyday sound, drama, and spirit. It will be more than understandable if some people doubt the sincerity of yet another Elton John project. He, after all, has been on farewell tour since yesteryear, hasn’t he? Since officially finishing his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in July 2023, he has kept himself busy in the spotlight: promoting documentaries, appearing on podcasts, attending theatrical openings, even joining legends such as Dolly Parton for collaborations.
He has shown up at shows like the acceptance of the Library of Congress concert for the Gershwin Prize and a surprising duet performance with Dua Lipa inside the Royal Albert Hall. When this is officially retirement, perhaps it’s only one of those in pop lore. Last season, a rare few were entrusted with an exclusive preview of *Who Believes In Angels?
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The answer was unanimous—the album is magic. The album has ten tracks perfectly crafted to the point of soft rock classicism, yet at the same time, it retains a modern sense. It’s obvious that contemporary artists who were inspired by Elton’s work, such as Air, Empire of the Sun, John Grant, and Carlile herself, have influenced this record, and it sounds new yet familiar. Bernie Taupin, longtime collaborator, again brings his lyrical genius to the project, this time paired with Carlile, who helped shape the themes of the album.
The end result is a collection of songs that feel both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Some of the standouts are The Rose of Laura Nyro, an ode to a lost musical genius, Little Richard’s Bible, a rollicking tribute to rock’s wild past, and The River Man, a song that twists and turns unpredictably, keeping listeners enthralled. Closing the album is When This Old World Is Done With Me, a wistful yet wise reflection on life and legacy. The band assembled for the album is nothing short of spectacular; Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer from the Red Hot Chili Peppers lend their rhythmic expertise, while legendary bassist Pino Palladino adds his unmistakable touch. And then there’s producer Andrew Watt, whose credits include work with The Rolling Stones, Ozzy Osbourne, and Iggy Pop: a modern edge without losing the classic Elton essence. Brandi Carlile is at the heart of this project, but what a complementary presence she gives the whole performance. Not household names in the UK, although in the United States, Grammy-winning powerhouse she is, but an Americana roots singer songwriter that is worshipped.
All who saw this very rare visit to the UK, last year, at the Drury Lane Theatre, would agree that that voice is so special.
Carlile has also been a key player in Joni Mitchell’s successful comeback to the stage, often sharing the stage with the legendary singer.
She plays an important role in Who Believes In Angels?
*; however, she never upstages Elton—she helps elevate him to heights he may not have achieved on his own.
And besides the music, Carlile is an old friend and ally to Elton through his work as an advocate and artist in support of the LGBTQ+ community. She has strong emotional investment in this project; one can easily see her in the way that album captures the best of the past while nudging into something new. Despite reports of his eyesight deteriorating, Elton shows no signs of slowing down. He will return to the stage for a one-off performance with Carlile at the London Palladium on March 25. Fans who pre-order the album will have exclusive access to buy advance tickets—a rare opportunity to witness a legend who, by all accounts, still has plenty left to give. Elton himself has described the making of this album as “one of the greatest musical experiences” of his life. He sees it as a fresh beginning, declaring, “This is the new start for me. As far as I’m concerned, this is the start of my career Mark 2.” Given the passion and artistry behind Who Believes In Angels?, it’s hard to argue with him. Retirement? Doubt it. It never could last.
