Forever Howlong

BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD – British Inventive Collective Return With New Bewildering Album ‘FOREVER HOWLONG’

Posted on by JL

5 April 2025

Band: BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD
Who: Experimental 7-piece from London producing a hypnotic mix
of prog and math rock, jazz, post-psych-punk, and other musical roads.

The band made an instant impression with their 2021 debut full-length
For The First Time and repeated the feat with follow-up LP Ants From
Up There.

Dark clouds threatened the collective’s future as frontman and otherwordly
vox Isaac Wood left, citing mental health problems, shortly after the 2nd album
was recorded. But the band doubted not one second to go on without him and
with this new bewildering album, titled FOREVER HOWLONG, their decision is
one to cheer about, loudly.

DIY Magazine says: “‘Forever Howlong’ is so distinct from Black Country, New Road’s
past albums that you’d be forgiven for thinking it was made by a different band altogether. Through the redirection of their sound, lyrics, and indeed, vocalists, ‘Forever Howlong’ redefines who BCNR are. But if one thing remains constant, it’s their unwavering desire to reinvent what their music can be.

TUTV: With a range of unusual rock/pop instruments, such as a mandolin, clarinet, harmonium, harpsichord, timpani, lap steel guitar, banjo, and the traditional ones
(guitar, bass, drums) BCNR brew an inventive and singular sound that includes jazz,
pop, musical, opera, folk, post-punk and prog-rock. Somewhere between Black Midi
and Arcade Fire.

With no mainstream, yet accessible songs, wrapped in an organic package they attract thousands and thousands of fans. Georgia Ellery‘s riveting vocals make you (almost) forget that Isaac Wood‘s mystifying voice was a very significant force on the band’s first two LPs. BCNR overcame the loss and prove here that they have the far-reaching potential to be around for a long time.

Singles/clips: Besties / Happy Birthday / For The Old Country

– BESTIES –

– HAPPY BIRTHDAY –

– FOR THE OLD COUNTRY –

ALBUM


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Instagram – Bandcamp

JUKEBOX 2025 – Week 10 – Five New Rad Tracks Added Twice A Week

Posted on by JL

In order to not miss a beat TURN UP THE VOLUME scans the musical
horizon daily, for 10 years now, to pick ace tracks and add 5 new ones
twice per week, to the one and only JUKEBOX that matters.

ALL TOGETHER


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The 5 fresh ones.
TRACK BY TRACK


Photo by Em Moore

Band: SNOOZER
Who: Alt outfit from Philly formed by brothers Mike and
Tom Kelly from Philly. Last year they launched their 3rd LP
Mid-Earth

Track: I DON’T WANT TO TALK TO YOU

This sonically two-faced roller coaster starts smoothly and funkadelic
until aggressive guitars take over and get in your face. Then the mood
swings process starts all over again. Somebody is grumpy here.

Linktree
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Band: SPORTS TEAM
Who: London-based group,
active since 2016.

Track: MAYBE WHEN WE WERE 30
Single from their forthcoming 3rd LP
Boys These Days, out on 23rd May.

“One morning you look around, and all your friends are getting married, and you think,
maybe all I really want is to grow old, and get a dog, and write horrible things about Brooklyn Beckham on Facebook, and go on cruises, and have petty disputes with my neighbours about whether the council recycles cardboard.”

Gloriously affecting and steadily boogielicious
with musing duet vocals all over it until
sinewy guitars, slowly but surely, augment
the intensity of this witty mixed emotions
tune.

Linktree
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Band: VIVE LA FÊTE
Who: Seasoned Belgian synth
kitsch pop duo with 9 albums
on their résumé.

Track: NOTRE PLANETE
Song about the terrible
state of our planet.

Lively and catchy as ever but with an alerting message.
Skittish synths, riff-crazy guitars and Els Pynoo‘ both seductive
and worried vocals create une ambiance nerveuse. Stop messing
up Mother Earth, people

Instagram – Spotify
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Act: DICE MACHINE
Who: Electronic musician Drew Five, part of
London-based duo Feral Five and his friend,
fashion photographer Michael Daks.

Track: DICE MACHINE
First collaboration which leans heavily into indie rock. The music is also
shaped by a wide range of influences, making them sound both familiar
and refreshingly unpredictable.

Guitar-electrifying dance groove.
juiced with repetitive, pounding
bass/drum beats and edgy vocals.
Infectious, campy and big fun.

Roll the little stones here.


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Drew Five Website
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Band: BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD
Who: English indies who keep
on climbing up the indie ladder.

Track: HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Piece from their forthcoming 3rd album,
named Forever Howlong. Out 4th April.

Sounds like a cheery chant for a modern-day musical.

Linktree