For over five decades, Neil Young has remained a restless, uncompromising figure in rock music—a chameleon whose artistic spirit has never stayed still long enough to be defined by a single sound. Speaking to a BBC documentary crew in 2009, Young shared a revealing truth: “I only care about the music. Sometimes people are damaged by it, but if they understand me, they can understand what that is.” That sentiment encapsulates the heart of Neil Young’s career—one driven by pure expression rather than commercial trends or critical approval.
With Glastonbury Festival 2025 set to welcome Young as a headliner, there’s no better time to revisit the essential works that have shaped his monumental legacy. But before we dive into rankings, one must first consider a question that’s long puzzled fans and critics alike: which version of Neil Young are you looking for?
Is it the introspective folk troubadour, strumming his acoustic guitar under a dusky sky? The fiery electric rocker, wielding a Les Paul like a weapon of truth? The experimental synthesizer tinkerer from his controversial 1980s phase? Or perhaps the political agitator, unafraid to speak out on war, corporate greed, or climate change? Throughout his career, Young has inhabited all these roles—sometimes simultaneously—and each has added a unique chapter to his story.
Young’s albums reflect an ongoing dialogue between contradictions: past and present, acoustic and electric, hope and despair. He has an uncanny ability to bottle time within his music, creating songs that feel immediate yet timeless. Whether he’s crooning softly at the piano or unleashing a sonic storm with Crazy Horse, what you’re hearing is music that cuts straight to the soul.
As MOJO magazine highlights in their freshly updated list of Young’s greatest albums, not every era of his discography carries equal weight. Noticeable gaps emerge in the rankings, particularly the 1980s and 2000s—decades marked by creative risk-taking but also uneven results. Albums like Re-ac-tor, Old Ways, and Freedom have their moments of brilliance, but they’re often overshadowed by the powerhouse records of the 1970s and early 1990s.
Still, Neil Young has never been one to follow a linear path. Just this month, he released Talkin To The Trees, a testament to his continued creative vitality even as he nears 80. While only one 21st-century record cracked MOJO’s top ten—surprisingly excluding the warmly received Prairie Wind—the list underscores the enduring impact of Young’s earlier works. From After the Gold Rush to Rust Never Sleeps, these albums form the bedrock of his legend.
As we gear up for Young’s headline slot at Glastonbury, it’s clear his story is far from over. His prolific output shows no signs of slowing down. Much like his music, the man himself remains an evolving force—one who refuses to settle or be simplified. For listeners both old and new, Neil Young’s discography offers not just a musical experience, but a spiritual one. And that’s why, even after all these years, we keep listening.