Brandi Carlile and
Elton John are part of a two-person mutual appreciation society, and had worked together in the past, so making an album seemed like a good idea. On 2025's
Who Believes in Angels? the two singer/songwriters spilt the writing duties -- with
Elton's longtime collaborator
Bernie Taupin on board as well -- and trade off vocal duties. They brought in
Andrew Watt to produce and were backed by a crack group of pros like drummer
Chad Smith, bassist
Pino Palladino, and guitarist
Josh Klinghoffer. It took only 20 days to write and record the album, but nothing sounds rushed or tossed off. No doubt everyone involved were such old hands that things came together easily, and when the songs click, the best aspects of each artist mesh perfectly. The openhearted rocker "Swing for the Fences" combines
Carlile's intimate vocals and warm persona with
Elton's exuberance and buoyant energy. She takes the lead on this track, with
Elton providing staunch backing vocals and some trademark piano thunder. The same dynamic gives the hard-rocking "The River Man" some live-wire energy and makes it one of the album's finest moments. They also sound great on the empowering ballad "A Little Light" and the jangling midtempo song "Someone to Belong To," where
Carlile returns the favor and backs
Elton's lead vocals. She also provides a nice assist on the jumping retro-rocker "Little Richard's Bible," a song that will answers any doubts about whether he can still cut the mustard vocally. These loose and lively songs are the best part of the record and show off what a good team they can be. There are also two songs included that were done by each artist without the input of the other;
Carlile dips into some sweetly hushed indie folk on the
Bon Iver-esque "You Without Me," while
Elton delivers a little piano-led gospel on "When This Old World Is Done with Me." Fans of both artists will embrace this project as a great idea that, in the end, works really well. ~ Tim Sendra
