“Never Too Late” was shortlisted for the 2025 Oscars. It didn’t win, but that’s no matter. Now it is featured on a new, full album’s worth of collaborations between John and Carlile, called “Who Believes In Angels?”

Elton John retired from touring in 2023, and last year, he experienced a serious health scare involving his vision. But for an artist with his work ethic and drive, slowing down was never really an option.

With Watt and Taupin, the pair wrote and recorded the album at Los Angeles’ Sunset Sound Studios over a three-week period, joined by a core band composed of Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Pino Palladino (Nine Inch Nails, Gary Numan and David Gilmour) and Josh Klinghoffer (Pearl Jam, Beck).