February 4, 2022
Ninja Tune
2xLP (Standard Black Vinyl, Limited Edition Indie Exclusive Blue Marbled Vinyl) and Deluxe 4xLP Box
With the announcement of the departure of vocalist Isaac Wood mere days before it’s release, the context of Ants From Up There has changed drastically. Black Country, New Road has enjoyed monumental acclaim and hype in their short career, with a Mercury Prize nomination and a place at the forefront of the United Kingdom’s endlessly innovative rock scene. This album seemed poised to be the start of a new chapter for the group, but instead comes with question marks about the future of the group and where they can go from here. Musically, Ants From Up There fulfills the promise of their debut with the group moving in a prettier and more accessible direction with their arrangements taking on nearly baroque quality and the songs crescendoing in a way that recalls Post-Rock giants like Mogwai and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Where Black Country, New Road goes from here is in question, but even if this does end up being the last we hear from them we can comfortably say they have created two of the most exciting rock albums in recent memory.