According to Pete Townshend, the album Elton John recorded in October in Los Angeles was a collaborative effort.
Townshend tells Clashmusic, "Elton is so fraught with loss at not knowing what to do next. He’s just gone over to L.A. to make an album with Brandi Carlile. They made an album together in two weeks. He says it’s one of the best things they’ve ever done.”
We do know that some, if not all, the songs were written by Elton's longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin, which Elton said when he inducted him into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November. He did add that the album was going to "surprise" us, which could mean that he did do it with Brandi.
It wouldn't be the first time they've recorded together. Brandi she sings with him on "Simple Things" on his last album, 2021's The Lockdown Sessions. They've also performed together numerous times, including during his last U.S. show on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in November 2021 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
And as she writes in her forthcoming autobiography, her first public performance was singing Elton’s 1972 hit “Honky Cat” at a talent show.
Elton's new album will be out this year.