Record label Universal Music India provided a select group of fans the privilege of listening to the ‘Who Believes In Angels?’ album, recorded by Elton John and Brandi Carlile, several hours before its official global launch on 4^th April, at an intimate gathering held during the previous evening at a Deli in Mumbai. And what a memorable event it turned out to be. Moreso when you consider the backdrop of Elton John having retired from touring two years previously and, in September last year, hearing about the unfortunate announcement that his right eye no longer had vision.

But any anxiety for the listener was completely misplaced as the collaborative studio album is an absolute revelation by learning that the launching pad for the album commenced with Never Too Late, the pair's duet from Elton’s 2024 documentary of the same name. This song appears as the fourth one on the track listing on ‘Who Believes In Angels?’, but the balance nine new offerings are equally impressive too, including The Rose of Laura Nyro which contains the constant refrain of Eli’s Comin’ which is taken from a Laura composition, a song that this writer first heard as a Three Dog Night rendition that became a US ‘Top 10’ hit in 1969, the rockabilly of Little Richard's Bible, and the mellow title-song, all standout cuts along with the raucous anthem Swing For The Fences, the pop of Someone To Belong To, the soft A Little Light, and When This Old World Is Done For Me and its outro, which sounds much like a sequel of sorts to Elton’s Can You Feel The Love Tonight?.

Entering Los Angeles’ Sunset Sound Studios in October 2023 with a completely blank slate, the duo pushed each other out of their comfort zones to write and record an album from scratch in just 20 days. Backed by a world class band of musicians comprising of Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Pino Palladino (Nine Inch Nails, Gary Numan, and David Gilmour). and Josh Klinghoffer (Pearl Jam, Beck), with production handled by Andrew Watt (Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Rolling Stones, Ozzy Osbourne, and Pearl Jam), results in a recording that is outstanding, supported in the writing department by frequent Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin.

For those not aware, Elton John and Brandi Carlile first collaborated on her 2009 album, ‘Give Up The Ghost’, following it up on Elton’s 2021 album, ‘The Lockdown Sessions’, with a song called Simple Things, as well as the aforementioned Never Too Late last year.

In case there exist lingering minds who believe that ‘Who Believes In Angels?’ is an atypical Elton John album, it is not and neither should it be, although Elton’s mastery of balladry definitely does get showcased here. However, keeping in mind the musical value addition being provided by equal collaborator Brandi Carlile whose music has spanned different genres, this album includes a gamut of sounds ranging from raw rock and roll, pop, folk rock, alternative country, Americana, and synth-influenced psychedelia.

Despite ‘Who Believes In Angels?’ being Elton John's 33rd and Brandi Carlile's 8th studio album, respectively, Elton John sounds revitalized in sharing responsibilities, and the resulting ‘Who Believes In Angels?’is definitely the culmination of their best work together, and their most ambitious effort yet…as it works in angelic unison.

Released on: 4^th April 2025

Recorded: October 2023

Duration: 44:08 minutes

Rating: ***

Reviewed by Parag Kamani

Parag Kamani has been part of the media and entertainment industry across 35 years, having worked for licensors such as Warner Music and EMI/Virgin in music, as well as Warner Bros, Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures in the field of films. Parag continues pursuing his passion as a profession.