Neil Young’s Fired Up With Political Songs On New Record
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In a period when America seems more divided than ever, Neil Young returns with Talkin To The Trees, a searing, politically charged album that doesn’t hold back. The forty-fourth studio effort from the folk-rock legend is filled with pointed messages aimed squarely at the heart of modern political dysfunction. As always, Young isn’t concerned with being subtle—he’s concerned with being heard.
Throughout his career, Young has oscillated between introspective folk and thunderous protest anthems, but this album leans heavily into the latter. While no one expects Young to deliver a nuanced political thesis, he more than makes up for it with raw emotion and biting commentary. When Neil Young is angry, the guitar growls—and that’s exactly what fans get here.
The title alone—Talkin To The Trees—suggests a man searching for meaning in a chaotic world, and the music that follows is just as confrontational. With themes ranging from corporate greed to environmental recklessness, Young channels both fury and hope through a voice that’s as gravelly and defiant as ever.
Big Change, Big Targets
The standout moments on the album, Big Change and Let’s Roll Again, are blistering critiques that name names and pull no punches. In Big Change, Young repeats a simple line—“Big change is comin’!”—over distorted guitar riffs that sound like the sky caving in. It’s minimal, visceral, and effective in its urgency.
Then comes Let’s Roll Again, a scathing, sarcastic takedown of Elon Musk and corporate America’s greenwashing. Young doesn’t just critique the status quo—he calls for rebellion, urging Detroit automakers to ditch gas-guzzling models and condemning Tesla with the acidic line, “If you’re a fascist, then get a Tesla.” It’s the kind of line that turns heads and rattles cages.
These tracks reveal Young at his most confrontational in years. Rather than couching his critiques in metaphor, he hurls them like rocks through a windshield. The anger feels earned, and the music matches the message: loud, unapologetic, and deeply personal.
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Moments of Heart Among the Fire
Despite the album’s aggressive political stance, Neil Young doesn’t forget to slow things down and let some vulnerability shine through. The gentle opener Family Life is a quiet nod to his wife Daryl Hannah and their shared domestic world, though it’s tinged with sadness as Young reflects on estrangement from his grandchildren.
Later, Dark Mirage takes an even darker turn, with backing vocals that veer toward death-metal territory. The lyrics suggest grief and frustration over family fractures and life’s bitter imperfections. It’s a reminder that, while Young may be raging against the world, his own personal struggles are still close to the surface.
The album ends on a note of gratitude with the track Thankful. It’s a fitting close to a record that swings wildly between fury and gentleness. Even as the world burns, Young reminds listeners that there’s still room to find solace in love, reflection, and resistance.
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The Chrome Hearts and a Comforting Chaos
Backing him on this journey are the Chrome Hearts, a new band anchored by legendary keyboardist Spooner Oldham, a longtime Young collaborator. Together, they move seamlessly between blistering rock and soft acoustic moments. This isn’t a band looking to polish or modernize Neil Young—it’s a group content to amplify his unfiltered voice.
The album doesn’t aim for perfection, and that’s precisely its charm. It’s raw, loose, and at times messy, but always sincere. Fans of Harvest Moon will find moments of peace, while those looking for fire will get more than their fill. It’s not a masterpiece—but it doesn’t need to be.
Instead, Talkin To The Trees feels like an old friend ranting in your living room, furious about the world yet still offering glimmers of hope. As the chaos unfolds around us, Neil Young once again proves that protest music still has a place—and that he’s still damn good at making it.
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