The legendary Canadian looks back over his life in unashamedly nostalgic, romantic fashion with supremely poignant results

Be upstanding for one of his most affecting 21st-century albums

The 80-year-old musician’s 50th studio album emphasizes atmosphere over songcraft, but its long, rambling tracks offer ample reminders of his melodic dexterity and lyrical gifts

It soaks you in with its fluidity of thought, feel and expression

A glorious record reflecting on life’s roads travelled

What you have here is a great record that, despite not reinventing the wheel, belongs in the upper tier of an illustrious catalogue

The 80-year-old continues his tireless output, delving into the past for inspiration to variable results – though two lengthy brand-new songs are real showstoppers

The Chrome Hearts adapt perfectly into their role as an understated backing band, and Young presents some new reflections, some wandering thoughts, some beautifully tender moments, and a few welcome references to older versions of himself

Second Song is comfortably his best since the molten sprawl of 2012’s Psychedelic Pill, the last hurrah of Poncho Sampedro-era Crazy Horse. Print edition only