Neil Young has released a new album called Before and After, out now via Reprise. But instead of writing and recording a batch of new material, the singer-songwriter took a cue from the Taylor Swift playbook, re-recording select songs from throughout his career.
Before and After is described as “a trip into his music history,” with Young having picked some of his own favorite songs from his catalog to re-visit. It’ll mostly be solo acoustic re-recordings, sequenced so its 13 songs blend seamlessly together from front to back.
“The feeling is captured, not in pieces, but as a whole piece — designed to be listened to that way,” Young said in a statement. “This music presentation defies shuffling, digital organization, separation. Only for listening. That says it all.”
Young also co-produced and co-mixed the record, which includes his 1966 debut with Buffalo Springfield “Burned” all the way up to his 2021 tune “Don’t Forget Love.” There’s also a previously-unreleased song called “If You Got Love.”
You can purchase physical editions of Before and After on Young’s website, and stream the album on Apple Music below.
Last month, Young also released a reissue of his 1973 live album Time Fades Away for its 50th anniversary. Earlier this year, he released his 1977 “lost album” Chrome Dreams. Read Jonah Krueger’s essay on why Young’s “Ditch Trilogy” cemented his legacy.
Before and After Artwork:
Before and After Tracklist:
01. I’m the Ocean
02. Homefires
03. Burned
04. On the Way Home
05. If You Got Love
06. A Dream That Can Last
07. Birds
08. My Heart
09. When I Hold You In My Arms
10. Mother Earth
11. Mr. Soul
12. Comes a Time
13. Don’t Forget Love
