Who Believes In Angels?, the first-ever full-length collaboration between Sir Elton John and Brandi Carlile, is both a meeting of icons and a reinvention for both, a truly fearless dive into uncharted waters. Created with Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Andrew Watt, the album finds Elton and Brandi sharing the spotlight in a deeply persona and spirited way.

The concept was simple yet ambitious: blend their voices, styles, and songwriting sensibilities into something entirely new. They entered Los Angeles’ famous Sunset Sound Studios in October 2023 with no preconceived notions, just an open slate and a commitment to pushing each other beyond their creative limits. The result ended up being a genre-defying record, written and recorded over 20 days, where Elton-led songs sit seamlessly alongside Brandi-led compositions. Longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin and Carlile herself contributed lyrics, while Watt played the role of producer, co-writer, and creative catalyst.

The album’s backbone is a world-class band featuring Chad Smith on drums, Pino Palladino on bass, and Josh Klinghoffer on guitar. Their presence and talent infuses Who Believes In Angels? with an electrifying energy, one that finds the balance between the raw intimacy of Carlile’s folk-rock storytelling with the grandeur of Elton’s signature piano-driven melodies. It’s a audio marriage that feels as natural as it does surprising. Beyond the album, Elton and Brandi are pulling back the curtain with Who Believes In Angels? Stories From The Edge Of Creation, a short documentary diving into the making of each song.

For Elton, this album feels like a rebirth. “This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life,” he reflects. “Who Believes In Angels? feels like going into another era, pushing the door open to the future. Everything I’ve done before has been brilliant, amazing. But this… this is the start of my career, Mark 2.” For an artist who’s spent over five decades redefining pop music, that’s no small statement. And if Who Believes In Angels? is any indication, the best may be yet to come.