Black, Country New Road Releases Highly-Anticipated Sophomore Album ‘Ants from Up There’
Also their final to feature co-founder Isaac Wood.
Black Country, New Road has been one of the most exciting recent bands not only within the scope of rock but to music at large. With just two songs in, the UK-based media The Quietus immediately cited them ‘the best band in the world.’ It took them some time to finally come with a full record.
Their debut For the first time, which came out last year, blew critics away with its experimental and arty approach. The bar has been set very high for the band that what the band’s going for next has been a major discussion across the internet music forum.
Today, exactly 364 days after the release of their debut, Black Country, New Road has come up with their highly anticipated sophomore record Ants from Up There, out on Ninja Tune. The tracklist features some of long-time fan favorites such as “Basketball Shoes” and “Haldern” which have been played live as far back as 2019 under various title.
With their follow-up, they’ve decided to show their vulnerability. The album sees a shift in musical direction for the band — the band once stated they were aiming to be the next Arcade Fire — now embracing more acoustic sound and lushful instrumentation, adding more instruments like mandolin, marimba, and glockenspiel to their compositions.
Ants from Up There also marks their final to feature co-founder and former frontman Isaac Wood, who departed from the band four days before the album release due to mental health reasons.
Despite of the heartbreaking news that came too suddenly, the band, now a sextet, is not breaking up and will continue to work on new material going forward, according to the band’s statement, released via their Instagram page.
Listen to Ants from Up There by Black Country, New Road:
