Neil Young is nothing if not prolific, but it’s been more than two years since he released his last collection of new original tunes, World Record, his 2022 studio album recorded with his frequent backing band Crazy Horse.
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Now, in a recent interview on The Mentors Radio podcast, the legendary Canadian singer/songwriter shared details about a brand-new album that he’ll likely release in 2025.
[RELATED: Watch Neil Young Perform “Pardon My Heart” Live for the First Time in 50 Years]
Young revealed that he’s been working on the project with famed producer Lou Adler and his recent backing group The Chrome Hearts. Neil told interviewer Dan Hesse that he hasn’t settled on an album title, but he has one in mind.
“I think it’s called Talking to the Trees, but I’m not sure,” he said.
Young, who turned 79 in November, said he’s happy to still be making music that he’s proud of. He also said he loves the new album.
“It’s blown my mind,” Neil said. “I’m very, very, very, very grateful for the success of being able to be in there with Lou Adler producing and The Chrome Hearts playing, and getting this music out of me.”
Young explained that the album came together very quickly in the last few months.
“I never even knew [this music] was there until a couple of months ago, when I wrote all the songs and recorded them all,” he shared. “I mean, that all happened just like that.”
Neil also pointed out that the material came to him unexpectedly after a long dry period in his songwriting.
“[Y]ou don’t have a plan,” he noted. “I went for two years without writing anything, and I was wondering, ‘Well, is that it?’ Who knows? I can’t tell.”
Young Shared Details of a New Song on the Album
Young also revealed some details about a new song called “Movin’ Ahead” that will be featured on the forthcoming album.
Explaining the theme of the tune, Neil noted, “There’s so many people with things on their minds now, where there’s something wrong in their life or something, and … maybe they have a threat on their health or it’s just trying to forget what’s going on in the world, and [wondering] how we’re gonna live with the situation of ignoring the climate change and ignoring everything and having our leaders totally into money instead of saving the planet and helping everybody else on Earth. You know, those things, they make you think.”
He also quoted some apparent lyrics that he said conveyed the song’s message: “Forget about this, and think about that … And movin’ ahead is where it’s at.”
More About Young’s Collaborators on the Upcoming Album
Young previously worked with Adler on his 2023 album Before and After. That project featured a collection of acoustic performances of songs from various periods of Neil’s career that were recorded during his 2023 Coastal Tour.
Adler is best-known for his work with The Mamas & the Papas and Carole King, including King’s landmark 1971 album Tapestry.
Young first performed with The Chrome Hearts at a trio of concerts in September 2024. They included the 2024 Farm Aid benefit show in Saratoga Springs, New York, and a September 23-24 engagement in Port Chester, New York.
The Chrome Hearts feature veteran Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section keyboardist Spooner Oldham, guitarist Micah Nelson, and two members of Promise of the Real—bassist Corey McCormick and drummer Anthony LoGerfo on drums.
Promise of the Real, which is led by Willie Nelson’s son (and Micah’s brother) Lukas Nelson, served as Young’s backing band for multiple tours and albums during the 2010s. Micah also took part in those same projects. In addition, Micah joined Crazy Horse’s lineup for Neil’s 2024 tour with the band.
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