Back catalogue: Rock

Review: A rare live album from Neil Young, this companion to the Daryl Hannah-directed tour documentary captures the American singer-songwriter's 2023 Coastal solo tour. Through 11 handpicked songs from his 60-year career, including 'I Am a Child' and 'Vampire Blues', the album shows off Young's instrumental virtuosity on guitar, piano, and harmonica, and marked a transformative moment as the world emerged from the COVID pandemic. Coastal stands as one of the most intimate live albums Young has ever released, its recordings mutating between various cities, reconnecting chameleonically with his own timeless songs. The weight of history, the rebirth of an artist.

Review: Neil Young's return to this 1977-recorded "lost" collection of songs feels like a snapshot of an artist in transition, navigating between the raw edges of his 70s output and the more polished direction he would take in the years to come. Recorded between Florida's Triad Studios and Malibu's Indigo, the tracks resonate with a kind of unforced authenticity that's increasingly rare in modern music. You'll know some of these tunes - the majority did turn up in other LP tracklistings eventually - but re-pieced together it's clear there's a quiet confidence here, as if Young, unburdened by the pressures of commercial expectation, was simply allowing the music to flow out. Opening with the delicate 'Sail Away,' Young sets a tone that's both intimate and expansive, a rare combination that permeates the entire set. 'Lost In Space' follows, its understated melancholy giving way to moments of real tenderness, as though Young was channeling something deeply personal without ever letting it feel too heavy. The rolling 'Captain Kennedy' showcases his gift for storytelling, while 'Goin' Back' and 'Human Highway' bring with them echoes of past greatness, weaving themes of reflection and longing with his signature mix of folk and country. By the time 'Pocahontas' rolls around, it's clear that the collection, though rough around the edges, forms a cohesive whole, a snapshot of Young's restless creativity and unflinching approach to songwriting.