Black Country, New Road - 'Happy Birthday'
Black Country, New Road have shared their new single ‘Happy Birthday’, from their upcoming album ‘Forever Howlong’, ‘Happy Birthday’ showcases the band at their very best. The album is set for release on the 4th of April via Ninja Tune.
The track arrives as the second preview of their third studio album, following lead single “Besties”. The new record marks their first studio release since 2022’s Ants From Up There and follows 2023’s Live at Bush Hall. The single dropped alongside a stop-motion music video directed by Lesley-Anne Rose, following two birds helping each other escape from hunters in the woods.
Produced by James Ford and written by band member Tyler Hyde, who also takes lead vocals, “Happy Birthday” is a sister song to “Besties”. Hyde explains the writing process behind it, saying, “When I wrote it I had Georgia’s song in my head. Therefore, the structure of it is heavily influenced by it.” The track follows a structure that listeners and fans might be familiar with—light yet impactful instrumentals, darkly honest lyrics, and a grand cinematic outro with choir vocals. It is Black Country, New Road at their very best.
At its core, ‘Happy Birthday’ is a baroque rock song reminiscent of Joanna Newsom and The Beatles, with lyrics that serve as a reminder that privilege doesn’t guarantee happiness. Its narrator speaks directly to a privileged person whose world is falling apart, reminding them of the world’s harsh realities: “It's not your fault, we don't blame you / Wе blame the world you werе born into.” The song also references “His Masterpiece” by Skydaddy, Tyler Hyde’s collaborator and partner, with the line: “The city burns like a fire beneath my feet. I feel removed from everyone I meet.” This further reinforces the themes of alienation and existential despair mentioned throughout the song.
With ‘Happy Birthday’, Black Country, New Road continues to build anticipation for Forever Howlong, refining their post Ants From Up There sound, blending poetic lyricism with rich, evolving instrumentation. These last two singles have confirmed us that the band was more than able to handle their in house changes, offering us new perspectives and hauntingly beautiful vocals from Tyler, Georgia and May. The song stands as another testament to their ability to craft deeply affecting narratives within their music. If this track is anything to go by, the album promises to be yet another masterpiece from the band.
Words by Marcos Sanoja
