Track X (The Guest)
by Black Country, New Road
— Released 18th May 2021
In February, the London seven-piece Black Country, New Road released a much-anticipated debut "For the first time" on Ninja Tune, which saw them embed themselves as a vital prospect in forward-thinking music. One, perhaps best summed up by The Times who wrote in their 5/5 write-up that they were "the most exciting band of 2021" and The Observer who called their record "one of the best albums of the year". "For the first time" was welcomed by extensive critical support globally and also made a...
In February, the London seven-piece Black Country, New Road released a much-anticipated debut "For the first time" on Ninja Tune, which saw them embed themselves as a vital prospect in forward-thinking music. One, perhaps best summed up by The Times who wrote in their 5/5 write-up that they were "the most exciting band of 2021" and The Observer who called their record "one of the best albums of the year". "For the first time" was welcomed by extensive critical support globally and also made a significant dent on the UK Albums Chart, landing at #4 in its first week, a remarkable achievement for a largely experimental debut record.
Now, the band share a new version of “Track X” entitled "Track X (The Guest)", the genesis from which the album highlight would later develop and a track that Isaac Wood first performed solo under the name “The Guest”, pre-BC,NR.
Stripped right back to front-man Isaac's stark lyrics and an acoustic guitar, it's a tender take on personal experience and a reminder of the creative dynamics within the group, how sparse beginnings can grow into something ever-expansive and different entirely.
Isaac had the following to say about the song:
“This version is where the lyrics for "Track X" originally came from. It’s an old story, with some simple guitar playing and has the extra lyrics in the chorus. It's "The Guest" version, written about 2 years ago in this format and we thought it would make for a good accomplice to the album.”
Listen to "Track X (The Guest)"
"For the first time" also reached #1 on Any Decent Music, #2 at Album Of The Year and sat at #1 on Rate Your Music for several weeks, remaining the record to generate the most fan reviews and site discussion there this year. Black Country, New Road were also declared Artist Of The Week and Album Of The Week at the likes of The Observer, The Line Of Best Fit and Stereogum, and saw features, including covers, and reviews from the likes of Mojo, NPR, CRACK, Uncut, The Quietus, Pitchfork, The FADER, Loud & Quiet, The Face, Paste, The Needle Drop, DIY, NME, CLASH, So Young, Dork and more.
Black Country, New Road's live performances have already gained legendary status from fans and has seen them labelled "one of the UK's best live bands" by The Guardian. After the success of their recent livestream direct from the Southbank Centre - where the band were joined by a choir for the debut of new material, showing a second full-length record is already within their sights, and for which the band received a further 5/5 live review from The Times - and a recent stand-out performance at the BBC 6 Music Festival, the band are now excited to be returning to the live fold from June, starting with a sold out UK tour and three London headliners at The Islington Assembly Hall, the third added after the first two sold out in three minutes.
As well as their own sold out dates in the near future, the band have a busy year and further ascent in front of them, with festival dates including End Of The Road, Wide Awake and Gilles Peterson's We Out Here, as well as extensive shows and festivals across Europe and another UK headline tour of their own to follow in November and December.
Track X (The Guest)
by Black Country, New Road
— Released 18th May 2021
In February, the London seven-piece Black Country, New Road released a much-anticipated debut "For the first time" on Ninja Tune, which saw them embed themselves as a vital prospect in forward-thinking music. One, perhaps best summed up by The Times who wrote in their 5/5 write-up that they were "the most exciting band of 2021" and The Observer who called their record "one of the best albums of the year". "For the first time" was welcomed by extensive critical support globally and also made a...
In February, the London seven-piece Black Country, New Road released a much-anticipated debut "For the first time" on Ninja Tune, which saw them embed themselves as a vital prospect in forward-thinking music. One, perhaps best summed up by The Times who wrote in their 5/5 write-up that they were "the most exciting band of 2021" and The Observer who called their record "one of the best albums of the year". "For the first time" was welcomed by extensive critical support globally and also made a significant dent on the UK Albums Chart, landing at #4 in its first week, a remarkable achievement for a largely experimental debut record.
Now, the band share a new version of “Track X” entitled "Track X (The Guest)", the genesis from which the album highlight would later develop and a track that Isaac Wood first performed solo under the name “The Guest”, pre-BC,NR.
Stripped right back to front-man Isaac's stark lyrics and an acoustic guitar, it's a tender take on personal experience and a reminder of the creative dynamics within the group, how sparse beginnings can grow into something ever-expansive and different entirely.
Isaac had the following to say about the song:
“This version is where the lyrics for "Track X" originally came from. It’s an old story, with some simple guitar playing and has the extra lyrics in the chorus. It's "The Guest" version, written about 2 years ago in this format and we thought it would make for a good accomplice to the album.”
Listen to "Track X (The Guest)"
"For the first time" also reached #1 on Any Decent Music, #2 at Album Of The Year and sat at #1 on Rate Your Music for several weeks, remaining the record to generate the most fan reviews and site discussion there this year. Black Country, New Road were also declared Artist Of The Week and Album Of The Week at the likes of The Observer, The Line Of Best Fit and Stereogum, and saw features, including covers, and reviews from the likes of Mojo, NPR, CRACK, Uncut, The Quietus, Pitchfork, The FADER, Loud & Quiet, The Face, Paste, The Needle Drop, DIY, NME, CLASH, So Young, Dork and more.
Black Country, New Road's live performances have already gained legendary status from fans and has seen them labelled "one of the UK's best live bands" by The Guardian. After the success of their recent livestream direct from the Southbank Centre - where the band were joined by a choir for the debut of new material, showing a second full-length record is already within their sights, and for which the band received a further 5/5 live review from The Times - and a recent stand-out performance at the BBC 6 Music Festival, the band are now excited to be returning to the live fold from June, starting with a sold out UK tour and three London headliners at The Islington Assembly Hall, the third added after the first two sold out in three minutes.
As well as their own sold out dates in the near future, the band have a busy year and further ascent in front of them, with festival dates including End Of The Road, Wide Awake and Gilles Peterson's We Out Here, as well as extensive shows and festivals across Europe and another UK headline tour of their own to follow in November and December.
