Elton John and Brandi Carlile have announced their first full-length collaborative album “Who Believes In Angels?,” set for release on April 4, 2025, marking a historic partnership between two generations of musical innovators. The announcement arrives alongside the album’s ethereal title track, which showcases the distinctive blend of John’s legendary piano work and Carlile’s powerful vocal range.
The project emerged from a series of informal recording sessions between the longtime friends, who found themselves creating something unexpectedly magical during what began as casual musical conversations. Grammy-winning producer Andrew Watt, known for his work with Post Malone and Eddie Vedder, helped shape these sessions into a fully realized album that alternates between Elton-led and Brandi-led compositions.
“This album feels otherworldly,” Carlile explains in the announcement. “Working with Elton has always been a dream, but creating something entirely new together, that’s beyond anything I could have imagined.” John echoes this sentiment, noting that the collaboration “brought out something special in both of us that I don’t think either of us knew was there.”
The album features lyrics by Bernie Taupin, John’s longtime collaborator, marking the first time he has written extensively for another artist alongside Elton. Taupin’s involvement adds another layer of significance to the project, bridging his historic partnership with John and this new creative venture with Carlile.
“Who Believes In Angels?” represents John’s first major musical project since completing his farewell tour and achieving EGOT status with his Emmy win for “Farewell from Dodger Stadium.” For Carlile, it follows her recent success producing and performing on Tanya Tucker’s Grammy-winning comeback album and her own acclaimed releases.
The title track, available now on streaming platforms, offers listeners a preview of the album’s ambitious scope. The song builds from a gentle piano introduction to a soaring chorus featuring both artists’ voices intertwining in complex harmonies. Additional singles will be released in the weeks leading up to the album’s April debut.
Recording took place at multiple studios across London, Seattle, and Los Angeles, with both artists bringing their respective band members and musical collaborators into the sessions. The result, according to early listeners, is a seamless blend of Elton John‘s classic rock sensibilities and Carlile’s Americana-influenced style.
While the complete track listing remains under wraps, the album promises to feature a mix of original compositions and carefully chosen covers that reflect both artists’ musical journeys. The collaboration also includes several surprise guest appearances from notable artists, though these details are being kept secret until closer to the release date.
The announcement has generated significant excitement within the music industry, with pre-orders already indicating strong interest from fans of both artists. A documentary chronicling the making of the album is also in production, though details about its release have not yet been confirmed.
Both John and Carlile have emphasized that this project represents more than just a one-off collaboration, suggesting potential live performances and additional recordings may follow. “This feels like the beginning of something, not the end,” John notes in the press release. “When you find this kind of creative chemistry, you don’t want to let it go.”
The album will be available in multiple formats, including standard and deluxe CD editions, vinyl, and digital platforms. A special collector’s edition featuring exclusive artwork and behind-the-scenes content will also be released in limited quantities.
