Is Homegrown a good place to start with Neil Young?

Yes, Homegrown is recommended as a starting point for new Neil Young listeners. A raw and intimate collection of heartfelt ballads reflecting personal struggles and emotional landscapes. Released on June 19, 2020, Homegrown arrives nearly 45 years after it was originally recorded in 1974, showcasing Neil Young's evolution as an artist. This album serves as a follow-up to his acclaimed release, Harvest, and reflects a more vulnerable side of Young's songwriting during a significant period in his life.

Who is Homegrown for?

Homegrown works well if you're into gentle melodies for quiet moments, intimate storytelling for reflective moods and steady pacing for relaxed listening.

How many songs are on Homegrown?

Homegrown has 12 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Homegrown

Neil Young · 2020

35 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock

A raw and intimate collection of heartfelt ballads reflecting personal struggles and emotional landscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Separate Ways Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Homegrown — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of nostalgia and introspection, blending organic instrumentation with deeply personal lyrics about love and loss.
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Love Is a Rose — Originally written in the early '70s, this song's delicate melody and poignant lyrics reflect the complexities of love, making it resonate powerfully within the album's context.
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We Don’t Smoke It No More — This track stands out for its humor and candid reflections on life's changes, showcasing Young's ability to address serious subjects with a light-hearted touch.
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Star of Bethlehem — With its haunting melody and reflective lyrics about longing and missed opportunities, this song exemplifies Young's lyrical prowess and emotional depth.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album's intimate acoustic sound and reflective lyrics create a cohesive and emotionally engaging experience.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of acoustic instrumentation, with gentle guitar melodies and soft vocal delivery throughout.
Most tracks maintain a slow to mid-tempo pace, creating an intimate atmosphere that encourages reflective listening.
Several songs incorporate repetitive lyrical motifs, enhancing the emotional resonance and personal storytelling.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

gentle melodies for quiet moments
intimate storytelling for reflective moods
steady pacing for relaxed listening
warm acoustic textures for comfort

Maybe skip if you

seeking high-energy tracks
prefer fast-paced music

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — A strong release showcasing Young's continued artistic vitality in later years.
Themes: 1970s nostalgia· personal reflections· acoustic warmth
Career context: Released on June 19, 2020, Homegrown arrives nearly 45 years after it was originally recorded in 1974, showcasing Neil Young's evolution as an artist. This album serves as a follow-up to his acclaimed release, Harvest, and reflects a more vulnerable side of Young's songwriting during a significant period in his life.
Stylistic neighbors: Bob Dylan· Tom Petty· The Band