Elton John has hinted in the form of personalised letters to fans that he will soon have new music on the way.
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The letters have been sent out to superfans in the last few weeks, detailing John’s plans for the future and teasing a new album.
According to screenshots of John’s letter posted to fan forums (and reported via Clash), the pop legend explained that he was working with Brandi Carlile after she asked him to play piano on a song she was working on.
“When we met, I fell in love with her, and we connected straight away,” he wrote. “It was connection, a true connection, emotionally, musically and it’s been one of the greatest friendships of my life.”
It inspired John to use the time he had after completing his farewell tour in 2023 to make a new album with “a blank notepad and a world-class band of legendary session musicians”. He and Carlile worked with his long-term collaborator Bernie Taupin and “dear friend” Andrew Watt to create “a truly collaborative album inspired by our musical heroes and our journey together.”
Fans are speculating that Elton John & Brandi Carlile are releasing new music together after receiving letters from the stars, as well as the launch of the countdown website, https://t.co/2JKHAKOjgs. pic.twitter.com/ymevGAZKfp
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) February 4, 2025
They ended up writing 14 songs in the span of 20 days, 10 of which will form the tracklist of a new record.
“I wanted to play better, sing better, write better, and challenge myself creatively. It was one of the most difficult creative processes I’ve ever been through, but couldn’t be prouder of the outcome,” he wrote. “I wanted to make this record with Brandi because I knew what she was capable of, and I wanted to sing and play with her because I knew it would be special.”
John and Carlile released a new song together called ‘Never Too Late’ – written for the documentary of the same name. It was reported in late 2023 that the pair had completed a full record together.
NME gave Disney+’s Never Too Late a three-star review, saying that the film is a “respectful and tender” way to “bookend [John’s] incredible performing career”.
John’s last album, ‘The Lockdown Sessions’, was released in 2021 and saw him collaborate with a host of musicians, notably Dua Lipa on ‘Cold Heart’. His last album of original material was 2016’s ‘Wonderful Crazy Night’.
Last year, John was teasing new music, saying that “the juices have never dried up” even though he recently retired from touring.
In another recent interview, John explained that he was struggling to make new music due to a severe eye condition. “I can’t see a lyric for a start,” he said. He has since told fans that he has “lost [his] eyesight”.
In October, John said “there’s not much of [him] left” following multiple surgeries as a result of his health issues. Later that month, however, he made a guest appearance at Dua Lipa’s special Royal Albert Hall show in London.
Meanwhile, in other news, John backed Paul McCartney over his criticism towards AI in proposed changes to copyright law.
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