Elton John says new album ‘freshest’ since 1970s
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Elton John's new album was written and recorded from scratch in 20 days in October 2023.
PHOTO: AFP
LONDON – Legendary British singer Elton John has described his new album Who Believes In Angels?, released on April 4, as the “freshest” he has done since the 1970s.
The studio album comes after the 78-year-old wound down his glittering live career with a global farewell tour, which wrapped up in Sweden in July 2023.
Who Believes In Angels? is a collaboration with American singer Brandi Carlile and co-written by John’s long-time songwriting partner Bernie Taupin.
“This album marks a new beginning for me. It’s very fresh. It’s probably the freshest album I’ve done since the 1970s,” John told British radio station Smooth Radio ahead of the release.
“Although I love my band so much, I needed new musicians, new producer to give me a challenge. You have to be challenged,” he added.
John, famed for his flamboyant performances and unforgettable melodies, has sold more than 300 million records worldwide.
The new album was written and recorded from scratch in 20 days in October 2023 at the Sunset Sound recording studio in Los Angeles after the end of the farewell tour.
“That’s the rest of my life. It’s a challenge,” John said, adding that the biggest challenge “of course is being a parent”.
“And it’s the most wonderful challenge you’ll ever have, and it has its ups and downs, but it’s pretty amazing,” he said.
A copy of Who Believes In Angels? is displayed at Sister Ray Records in central London on April 4.
PHOTO: AFP
John and his husband, film-maker David Furnish, have two children, Zachary and Elijah.
With his music, John said, he could “pick and choose exactly what I want to do now, so I don’t have the brunt of touring, so I can concentrate on other things, and I will be doing more recording”.
“But it won’t be like Who Believes In Angels?, it will be something else,” he said.
The release comes after John revealed in December 2024 that an eye infection he contracted in mid-2024 had severely affected his eyesight.
“I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye,” the Rocket Man (1972) star said at the time.
A headline set at the Glastonbury Festival in 2023 was his last British performance as part of his 330-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which ended with an emotionally charged show in Stockholm, Sweden.
In January, he achieved his ninth British No. 1 album with Diamonds (2017), a greatest hits compilation. AFP
