Black Country, New Road - Forever Howlong (2025), 4/10

The performances are great, there are interesting phrases sprinkled throughout most tracks, and there is clear ambition behind the songwriting. Yet Forever Howlong is almost entirely forgettable and falls flat, not just in comparison to the band’s previous work but in the grander context of the modern creative music scene. The imaginative complexity does not really lead anywhere interesting. The technically sound performances lack spirit. The songwriting only flirts with inspiration or idle satisfaction before quickly retreating back into inert phrases and at times unemotional or detached compositions. There is nothing offensively poor or particularly disappointing about this record, only a smattering of forgettable songs. The lack of Isaac Wood is less of a creative void and more of a charisma vacuum. The vocals are quite exceptional yet in the majority lack morale and proper feeling. The music itself was already headed in this direction, but the band had not fully committed to this lack of clarity and creative direction, resulting in a doubled effect of palpable theatrical confusion and flat sensibility. When they do commit to a particular sound it either works flawlessly for a short duration or shifts quickly towards befuddled distress. Forever Howlong is hopefully a creative pitstop for a very talented group of musicians regrouping and finding new creative footing, but time will tell.