Elton John and Brandi Carlile have teamed up for a highly anticipated album, Who Believes In Angels?, set to be released on April 4. The Oscar-nominated duo, who previously earned a nod for their collaboration on the track “Never Too Late” from the documentary Elton John: Never Too Late, have crafted a 10-track album together, blending their iconic musical talents.
The first single, the title track Who Believes In Angels?, was released on February 5, 2025, giving fans an early taste of the upcoming project. Along with the album, the pair will perform a special one-off concert titled An Evening With Elton John & Brandi Carlile, which will take place on March 26 at The London Palladium. Described as a “one-night-only event,” the concert will feature both performance and storytelling, offering fans an intimate experience with the artists.
Tickets for the event will be available exclusively to fans who pre-order the album, giving them the chance to attend what promises to be a memorable occasion.
The album is the result of a unique collaboration not only between John and Carlile but also with producer Andrew Wyatt and John’s long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin. The creative team behind the album shares a nomination for Best Original Song at the Oscars for their work on John’s documentary. The nominated track will also appear on the upcoming album.
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John expressed excitement about the album’s creation, telling Variety, “Between the four of us, what went down in the studio is pretty magical. And you know, I don’t wanna let cats out of the bag, but you ain’t heard nothing yet. There’s something coming your way which is gonna blow your a** off.”
The album was recorded in just 20 days in October 2023 at L.A.’s Sunset Sound Studio. In addition to John and Carlile, the album features contributions from some well-known musicians, including Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, bassist Pino Palladino, and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, who has also toured with Pearl Jam.
In addition to the album, fans can look forward to a short film offering a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Who Believes In Angels?. The film, captured through static cameras placed around the studio, documents the entire creative process — including moments of creative struggle, breakthroughs, and emotional highs and lows. The raw footage offers fans an unprecedented, candid view into the challenging yet rewarding journey of creating the album.
Ahead of the release, Carlile, a 11-time Grammy Award winner, shared her excitement about the collaboration. Reflecting on her long admiration for John, Carlile wrote, “I’ve been singing together with him for basically my whole life – he just didn’t know it.” She continued, “I’ve been working — and dreaming — my way towards this moment since I was 11 years old. Every album I’ve ever made has carried Elton’s name in the liner notes, my quiet thank you to the artist without whom I would have never written a song. It was impossible to imagine that one day, he’d not only be my hero, but probably my best friend. In some way though, I think maybe I knew?”
Who Believes In Angels? promises to showcase a deep, emotional connection between the two artists, built on years of mutual respect and admiration. Carlile has frequently cited John as a major influence in her own music career, and this collaboration marks a culmination of their shared musical history.
The album’s release on April 4 will be followed by the highly anticipated concert, An Evening With Elton John & Brandi Carlile, which will take place at The London Palladium on March 26. This special evening will offer fans a rare opportunity to see the two artists perform together in an intimate setting, blending their musical talents with personal stories from their respective careers.
Who Believes In Angels? will undoubtedly be a standout release for both artists, combining the timeless sound of Elton John with Brandi Carlile’s powerful vocals and emotional songwriting. Fans can expect an album filled with heartfelt tracks and a glimpse into the powerful creative process that shaped this collaboration.
Mark your calendars for April 4, when Who Believes In Angels? will be available for purchase, and make sure to pre-order for a chance to attend the exclusive concert event next month.
