"World Record" is the 45th studio album by Canadian-American singer-songwriter Neil Young, released on November 18, 2022, through Reprise Records. It is the 15th album to feature Crazy Horse as his backing band. The album was produced by Young and Rick Rubin, marking the first collaboration between the two after a long history of attempts to work together. The album was preceded by the release of the lead single "Love Earth."
Lyrically, World Record reflects Young’s thoughts on several major themes, including climate change, the uncertain future of the planet, and his own personal experiences, particularly with cars. The song "Chevrolet" tells the story of significant moments in Young’s life experienced while in an automobile, and he describes the song as having a much more complex structure than some of his earlier long-form songs like "Cowgirl in the Sand" or "Down by the River." The song represents a period of reflection for Young, particularly in relation to the environmental impacts of driving, which he addresses by stating he can no longer drive those cars due to his evolving perspective on the world.
The album’s writing process was heavily influenced by Young’s daily walks in the woods surrounding his Colorado home, with melodies often emerging as he wandered, leading to songs like "Love Earth" and several others. He recorded the initial melodies on a flip phone and later developed the full compositions. World Record reflects his appreciation for the Earth, his concern about the state of the planet, and the impact of human activities like climate change. The song "This Old Planet" expresses a yearning for a time when the Earth was healthier, while "Break the Chain" was inspired by the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
World Record was recorded live at Rick Rubin's Shangri-La studio in Malibu, California, with the process combining both analog and digital recording techniques. The album was mixed to analog tape but immediately converted to digital, creating a "hybrid" recording method. Young collaborated closely with Crazy Horse, and the sessions began in May 2022 after Young wrote the material faster than anticipated. The album also includes a mix of instruments, some of which were chosen based on the melodies Young had whistled during his walks. Nils Lofgren, a member of Crazy Horse, experimented with different instruments during the recording process, contributing to the album’s diverse sound, including playing pedal-steel guitar on "I Walk with You (Earth Ringtone)."
The album’s cover features a photograph of Young's father, journalist Scott Young, from the 1950s, along with his birthdate in the style of a dossier. Inside the album, there are pictures of Young’s family members, including his mother, brother, and sister, with their birthdates. Young explained that the photograph was likely taken in Toronto during his father's time working for the Globe and Mail.
World Record was released on a three-sided 2-LP to optimize audio quality, with an etching on the remaining side, and was also available on CD, cassette, and for streaming and download. The CD is divided into two discs, with the first nine tracks on the first disc and the last two on the second. The album’s release followed a delay to ensure it was properly presented on vinyl, but it was otherwise completed by July 2022.
