Neil Young will release a new vinyl LP featuring rare archival recordings called Oceanside Countryside on February 14. The “lost” album, which features song recorded from May to December 1977, is the latest installment of his Analog Original Series (AOS).
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Young had originally intended to release Oceanside Countryside prior to his 1978 studio album Comes a Time. Both albums share a similar country/folk songs, and three songs on Oceanside Countryside—“Goin’ Back,” “Human Highway” and “Field of Opportunity”—also appeared on Comes a Time.
[RELATED: Change of Plans: Neil Young Set to Headline Glastonbury 2025 After Dropping Out]
Meanwhile, versions of two songs on Oceanside Countryside—“Pocohontas” and “Sail Away”—later were featured on Rust Never Sleeps, Young’s classic 1979 album with Crazy Horse. Another song, “Dance, Dance, Dance,” was first recorded by Neil and Crazy Horse in 1969. Crazy Horse, without Young, released its own version on its 1971 self-titled debut album.
It’s worth noting that eight of the 10 tracks on the Oceanside Countryside vinyl LP also were featured on a CD with the same title that was part of Young’s recently released Neil Young Archives Vol. III (1976-1987) box set. The LP version features the songs in the sequence that Neil had originally planned for the release. This will mark the first time that the tracks will be available in analog on vinyl.
Side one of the Oceanside Countryside LP is subtitled Oceanside and features four tracks recorded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and one in Malibu, California. Side two is subtitled Countryside, and includes four songs recorded in Nashville and one in Fort Lauderdale.
Young has posted the Oceanside Countryside version of on his official YouTube channel.
Young’s Comments About Oceanside Countryside
The official announcement about Oceanside Countryside includes a statement from Young sharing some background about the album.
“This analog original album was recorded in 1977 and unreleased,” he said. “These songs are the original mixes done at the time of the recordings in the order I planned for the album.”
Neil continued, “I sang the vocals and played the instruments on Oceanside in Florida at Triad studios and Malibu at Indigo studio. I sang the vocals and recorded with my great band of friends, Ben Keith, Joe Osborn, Karl T. Himmel, and Rufus Thibodeaux at Crazy Mama’s in Nashville on Countryside.”
Young concluded, “I hope you enjoy this treasure of an Analog Original recording, recorded by Tim Mulligan, as much as I do. Listening to it now, I think I should have put it out back then.”
About Purchasing Oceanside Countryside
Oceanside Countryside can be pre-ordered now. It will be available on standard black vinyl and limited-edition clear vinyl. The clear-vinyl version can be purchased exclusively online at Young’s Greedy Hand Store, and independent retail shops.
Oceanside Countryside also will be available in multiple digital formats at the Neil Young Archives Download Store and most digital retailers. Those who purchase the album at the Greedy Hand Store also will receive a free hi-res digital version.
Young’s 2025 Performance Plans
Young currently has only one confirmed performance in 2025—a headlining appearance at the U.K.’s famed Glastonbury Festival.
The festival, which is held near Pilton, England, is scheduled for to run from June 25 through June 29. A few days ago, Young announced that he was pulling out of his Glastonbury appearance because he was having disagreements with the BBC, which is co-presenting the event.
The issues apparently were quickly resolved, and Young announced on his official website on January 3 that he will indeed play the festival. He’ll be accompanied by his latest backing band, The Chrome Hearts, with whom he played a few concerts in 2024.
Glastonbury co-organizer Emily Eavis announced on her Instagram page that Young will perform on the fest’s main stage, the Pyramid.
Oceanside Countryside LP Track List:
Side One: Oceanside
- “Sail Away”
- “Lost in Space”
- “Captain Kennedy”
- “Goin’ Back”
- “Human Highway”
Side Two: Countryside
- “Field of Opportunity”
- “Dance Dance Dance”
- “The Old Homestead”
- “It Might Have Been”
- “Pocahontas”
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