Mirror Ball cover

Released 31 years ago this June

Mirror Ball

Neil Young · 1995

54 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock · blues · folk rock

A raw blend of gritty rock and reflective songwriting, echoing with a sense of nostalgia and urgency.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with peaks
  • nostalgic reflections on past
  • introspective moments of clarity
  • cathartic release through urgency

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeking instant gratification
  • prefer standalone single tracks

Where this album fits

Themes
grunge-era introspection· Pacific Northwest spirit· emotional resilience
Career context
Released on June 7, 1995, 'Mirror Ball' marked Neil Young's first collaboration with Pearl Jam, showcasing a shift towards grunge influences after his previous folk-oriented album, 'Sleeps with Angels'. This album came during a phase where Young was integrating contemporary sounds while remaining true to his roots, reflecting both artistic evolution and the changing music landscape of the mid-1990s.
Stylistic neighbors
Bob Dylan· Tom Petty· The Band
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Vitalogy by Pearl Jam — Shares the same grunge ethos with raw energy and introspective lyrics, capturing a similar Pacific Northwest vibe.
Euphoria Morning by Chris Cornell — Combines reflective songwriting with a gritty sound, echoing emotional depth and resilience found in 'Mirror Ball'.
Superunknown by Soundgarden — Delivers a blend of heavy rock and introspective themes, paralleling the raw emotional landscape of Young's work.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Song X 4:39
  • 2 Act of Love 4:53
  • 3 I'm the Ocean 7:03
  • 4 Big Green Country 5:07
  • 5 Truth Be Known 4:35

Disc 2

  • 1 Downtown 5:08
  • 2 What Happened Yesterday 0:45
  • 3 Peace and Love 7:02
  • 4 Throw Your Hatred Down 5:43
  • 5 Scenery 8:48
  • 6 Fallen Angel 1:16

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata