Black Country, New Road is a band from Cambridge that has been around sind about 2018, and has been on a path of constant re-configuration ever since. After choosing the name by hitting the “Random Article” button on Wikipedia, the 6-piece started out their career together by making jazz-influenced post-punk, releasing their initial album “For the First Time” in 2019.
Not ones to shy away from change, the band stayed (post-)punk in spirit and redefined their sound for their second studio album, “Ants from Up There” (2022), which shifted towards a sort of chamber pop-y post-rock. The single releases that heralded the new album caught on and made the band a household name before the album even saw light of day.
And how better to continue in the vein of punk than having the lead singer resign in the days leading up to the album release?
While other bands might have split from the strain or scrambled to find a replacement for the impending tour, BCNR did away with their entire catalogue to date and created a whole new set and orchestral sound (as a writer for Pitchfork pointed out: ‘What is “Black Country, New Road” if not a more poetic way of saying, “Been there, done that”?’) – looking forward, riled by the possibilities: “Look at what we did together / BCNR, friends forever!“
I dig that sentiment
Coryphe 