All-star cast confirmed for new charity Neil Young covers compilations
Many of the most beloved figures in indie are coming together for Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 2 – Out of the Blue and Vol. 3 – Into the Black.
The announcement comes courtesy of Cinema Music Group, Killphonic Records and City Slang, who will release both volumes on November 6th, 2026. It follows-up on Vol. 1, which arrived in 2025.
Notable artists set to contribute to the new volumes include Modest Mouse featuring Califone, My Morning Jacket, Lucinda Williams, Peter Frampton, LP, MJ Lenderman, Ben Gibbard, and Kurt Vile and The Violators.
To kick things off, King Princess has shared her cover of ‘Helpless’ to launch Vol. 3 – Into the Black, and explained, “It felt kismet that they asked me to do ‘Helpless’. It’s my mom and my favourite Neil Young song; I can hear her singing it in the car on our way upstate.”
King Princess added, “We tried to record it as simply and intimately as the Crosby Stills Nash and Young version. Brad (Oberhofer) played guitar and I played drums and keys. We did it as a one take, off click, and the rest we just built together as a two-man band. The only thing we changed was just making it longer. My only complaint about the original is that it’s too short. I want more.”
Meanwhile, Draco Rosa, who launches Vol. 2 – Out of the Blue, has shared a new version of ‘After the Gold Rush‘, and stated, “Neil Young’s melodies resonate deeply. ‘After the Gold Rush’ is a pivotal song in my journey, reflecting the hope of finding a new home in the sun. It’s a true honour to be included in this purposeful project.”
The new compilations are for a vital cause, too, raising money for The Bridge School, a nonprofit founded by Neil and Pegi Young to serve individuals with severe speech and physical impairments.
Gabriela Berlanga, executive director of The Bridge School, added, “We’re deeply grateful to the artists, supporters, and everyone who helped bring these albums to life. Every purchase helps ensure that individuals with communication and physical disabilities have access to communication, education, resources, and the opportunities they deserve.”
See the full tracklist for the compilations and listen to the two new tracks below.
Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young tracklist:
Volume 2 – Out of the Blue
- My Morning Jacket with The Preservation Hall Jazz Band – ‘Like a Hurricane’
- Ann Wilson – ‘Walk With Me’
- Draco Rosa – ‘After the Gold Rush’
- Peter Frampton & John Jorgenson feat. Jay Dee Maness, Herb Pedersen, Steve Duncan & Mark Fain – ‘Heart of Gold’
- Lucinda Williams – ‘Don’t Be Denied’
- Los Lobos – ‘Cinnamon Girl’
- Edie Brickell – ‘Only Love Can Break Your Heart’
- Tyler Ballgame – ‘Tell Me Why’
- Sharlotte Gibson – ‘Ohio’
- Jesse Malin – ‘Pocahontas’
- Southside Johnny & Bobby Bandiera – ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’
- Dramarama – ‘Kinda Fonda Wanda’
Volume 3 – Into the Black
- Briston Maroney – ‘My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue)’
- LP – ‘Harvest Moon’
- King Princess – ‘Helpless’
- Modest Mouse featuring Califone – ‘Barstool Blues’
- Ben Gibbard – ‘Don’t Cry No Tears’
- MJ Lenderman – ‘Separate Ways’
- Cold War Kids – ‘Tonight’s the Night’
- Kurt Vile and The Violators – ‘When Your Lonely Heart Breaks’
- Devendra Banhart – ‘Pardon My Heart’
- Emily Hackett – ‘Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere’
- RAC featuring Kelcey Ayer – ‘Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)’
- New Constellations – ‘Unknown Legend’
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