Neil Young: Storytone

If nothing else Storytone merits serious attention as it is Young's first post-Pegi album – he filed for divorce from his wife of 36 years last July. He has hooked up with actor Daryl Hannah. Both developments weigh heavily on these 10 songs of misty-eyed regret, bushy-tailed rebirth and anguished concern. There is also a rarity – the 68-year-old singer uses an orchestra to add colour and complexity. This works more often than not, though Tumbleweed and Who's Gonna Stand Up beg our indulgence; only Young could happily follow that green anthem with the guitar- drenched I Want To Drive My Car. Much better is the opening Plastic Flowers and Glimmer in which he dissects the break-up while new romance is celebrated in I'm Glad I Found You. In all, his is a tender and oddly vulnerable voice almost surprised at his situation. neilyoung.com