A new era of Black Country, New Road comes with the release of their newest single, “Besties.” A common complaint about this single is that the song sounds nothing like Ants From Up There or BCNR’s other past works. But, what did you expect, given the band releasing it thrives on reinvention and innovation?
With the release of their new single, “Besties,” Black Country, New Road steps confidently into a new era—one that thrives on change, whether fans are ready for it or not. BCNR is known by many for their elaborate musical compositions, heartbreaking lyrics, and unraveling vocals—qualities that defined their breakout album, Ants From Up There. While Ants From Up There brought the band high acclaim and a cult following, it also came with their greatest loss. At the end of January 2022, the band’s beloved guitarist, lead vocalist, and all-around frontman, Isaac Wood, announced his sudden departure from the band four days before the album’s official release. Fans were devastated, but Isaac’s emotional performances made it clear—stepping away was the right choice for his fragile mental health. Though BCNR continued on without Isaac and made an incredible album, Live at Bush Hall, some fans still don’t accept the band without him.
To understand where “Besties” fits in the BCNR universe, it’s essential to look at how the band reinvented itself after Isaac’s departure. Before the departure of Isaac Wood, the band had a relatively traditional lineup with Isaac as the lead singer, Tyler Hyde on bass, Lewis Evans on the saxophone and flute, Georgia Ellery on the violin, May Kershaw on keys, Charlie Wayne on the drums, and all members supporting Isaac with background vocals. As Isaac left, the band had a vast frontman-shaped hole with no obvious solution, so learning from the departure, they transitioned to a multi-vocal style. This would take away the stress of being a central leading person that affected Isaac so much. The vocal duties were split between Lewis, Tyler, and May for their new live album, Live at Bush Hall. This album would transition not only their vocalists but also their overall style as they moved away from the grandiose melancholy of Ants From Up There to a more collaborative and eclectic sound that fit the current state of the band much better. But as I said previously, a lot of fans were not happy with the band’s new sound.
This brings me to “Besties,” their most recent release and first single from their new album, Forever Howlong, coming in April. “Besties” follows a similar theatrical eclectism of their previous album, opening with an elegant harpsichord solo that quickly transitions into a bodacious instrumental backed by vocal oohs. Despite the captivating intro, this song is surprisingly simple and straightforward, contrasting heavily with the more experimental and intense sound you expect from the band. Along with this stylistic change, we hear a new vocalist amongst the BCNR cast in their violinist, Georgia, who is also the lead singer of the art pop band Jockstrap. Georgia’s vocals on “Besties” add a fresh dynamic to BCNR’s sound, blending effortlessly with the track’s more accessible, pop-oriented approach. Her delivery is airy yet purposeful, maintaining a cool detachment that contrasts with the song’s more lush, layered instrumentation. When it comes to lyrical themes, the song centers on friendship and intimacy—a fitting focus given the departure of one of their closest friends and bandmates. Georgia’s line, “I wanna be living with you, Seeing it through. Do you wanna play forever? How long can I play?” reflects the lingering connection the band feels toward Isaac, even in his absence, while also highlighting the deep bond they share with their current friends and bandmates.
Even after all the ups and downs, Black Country, New Road continues to expand and evolve, refusing to be boxed in by expectations. “Besties” isn’t just a reflection of where the band is now—it’s a testament to their resilience, willingness to experiment, and deep-rooted connection to one another. Through lineup changes, stylistic shifts, and personal challenges, BCNR has managed to hold onto the heart of what makes them so compelling: their honesty, their vulnerability, and their relentless drive to create something new. If Forever Howlong follows in the footsteps of “Besties,” this next chapter might just be their boldest yet.
Photo Credits From: Eddie Whelan
