With every new output, Black Country, New Road show that they’re not just evolving but remaking the sound of the band itself. Their latest release, “For The Cold Country,” is a striking confirmation of their continuing evolution, one that rewards lucidity without compromising profundity and intimacy without sacrificing scale.
Building on the release of their forthcoming album “Forever Howlong,” which will be out by April 4th, “For The Cold Country” gives a hauntingly beautiful insight into the band’s more mature take on vocals and composition. May Kershaw steps into the spotlight here, her voice picking through a striated choral arrangement that is both ethereal and earth-anchoring. There is a stark beauty in how the vocals rise and fall, like waves lapping against a frozen shoreline, peaceful yet mighty, tempered yet emotionally savage.
The song’s arrangement is brilliant, allowing each element to breathe. Instead of bombarding the listening with complication, “For The Cold Country” mines its strength from its stillness, allowing his harmonies and melodies to unfold organically. The result is a sacred work occupied by a force that seems fixed in a timeless place.
Black Country, New Road has never been a band to play it safe, but they push the envelope with stunning delicacy here. This band is not so much experimenting as mastering their craft, finding new ways to express emotion and atmosphere without compromise. “For The Cold Country,” is a bold preview of more.
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