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Ranking every song on Lukas Nelson's 'American Romance' album.
Up-and-coming country singer Lukas Nelson is proving that he is ready to make a name for himself in the country music sphere, and he is here to stay. After more than a decade of being part of the band Promise of the Real, he has released his debut solo album, American Romance.
Lukas Nelson's debut solo
The album, which has 12 tracks, reflects an honest and vulnerable side of the singer and features appearances from Sierra Ferrell and Stephen Wilson Jr. Talking about his solo project, Lukas expresses,
“Man, I’m feeling great. I’m just feeling a lot of love and support from all of my friends. It just reminds me how lucky I am to be part of a community that supports one another,” Nelson says. “When Nathaniel Rateliff or Jake Owen or Stephen Wilson Jr., or Lily Meola–every time we do something, we lift each other up. I like that. A rising tide lifts all ships. I’ve just been grateful to hear so many people are listening to the album. It makes me feel good,”
He further adds “It’s so raw to me. It’s sort of like completely myself,” he explains. “I really feel like this album is a really great snapshot of where I’ve been in my life so far, and it’s a great stepping stone to a much wider journey in the future.”
Here is a look at all the songs from the album, ranked from best to worst.
American Romance
A soft Ballad-esque love letter, the title track, American Romance is a depiction of a tribute to love, loss, family, and perseverance, with the background set across diners and highways, the classic American dream. The chorus expresses,
Time won't tell / It never says a word / I only wait / And, I can't say I wait too well / Every day, the same old arrow on a string / Sings its way from heaven's bow / And, I swing safely over hell.
Ain't Done
A soft rock expression, Ain't Done is the lead single of the album and is reportedly inspired by George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass.” It highlights the journey of self-discovery and nostalgia set in a modern country soundscape.
Pretty Much
A composition of sweet melodies, Pretty Much is the imagination of the hour of death. Nelson reflects on his growth and how he stays true to himself in the future, past, and present, written in the tone of a love song with the chorus line being,
"I pretty much fell in love right then"
Friend in the End (Ft. Sierra Ferrell)
Friend in the End by Lukas Nelson featuring Sierra Ferrell is an emotional ballad about finding solace, friendship, and healing through connection, though the connection itself is platonic, it reflects a potential romance.
Make You Happy
A fun upbeat song, this song in a very classic American country music style paints a picture of a sincere declaration of love, commitment, and to make some happy. The song may be set in a different time, as he talks about.
"Send you letters through the mail / Often times, the postage fails"
Born Runnin' Outta Time
A break from all the power ballads, Born Runnin' Outta Time is the kind of song for which you can bring out your boots. As for the lyrics, there is a sense of urgency to the singer's life and goals, also prevalent in the title. It is also an upbeat portrayal of ambition, regret, and burnout.
Outsmarted
Outsmarted has a much more honky tonk vibe as compared to the previous ranks. The song also showcases feelings of regret as age passes Lukas Nelson, and he feels he has been able to outsmart his younger, confident up-and-coming self.
"When I was younger I had clever lines / That now reside beside my eyes / I hid my heart high on a shelf / I managed to outsmart myself"
The poetic imagery reflects ageing, regret, and emotional self-sabotage.
All God Did
Taking a turn from all the romance, this song has a lighter, more inspiring tone to it, as Lukas Nelson sings about a cyclical journey of self-discovery, spiritual searching, and human fallibility. In a way, he represents reaching nirvana as he harmonises about letting go, giving up money, vanity, and ego, in hopes of enlightenment. However, there is also a bit of struggle, represented by God and the Devil.
Montana
At first hearing, you might think this is an ode to the state of Montana, but the more you hear, it sounds as if Lukas Nelson is yearning for the simplicity that the American West was built on. The song weaves together themes of nostalgia, grounding, and emotional refuge, as the landscape changes in the background, from open skies and mountain vistas to intimate moments of connection, offering pilgrimage.
Disappearing Light (Ft. Stephen Wilson Jr.)
A collaboration with Stephen Wilson Jr., Disappearing Light starts with a haunting tune and keeps the haunting theme steady, except it shifts from the tune to the lyrics as they talk about loss, impermanence, and emotional decay. The themes are beautifully represented by celestial metaphors, as both the singers' tones complement each other.
The Lie
This song represents the struggles of "making it" in the rawest commentary. It dictates the pressures of modern success, masculinity, and self-worth, captured beautifully by the chorus, which is something Lukas Nelson has seen throughout his career.
"Come here, kid, here's a story for you / You're defined by what you do / No one ever made it stayin' home with the kids / And if you ain't winnin', you ain't worth shit / Peace of mind comes when you're dead and gone / If you can't see that, you don't belong "
You Were It
You Were It is a touching personal song that features impactful lyrics like,
I once had a heart / Now, I have a song
And reportedly was written by Lukas Nelson on a school bus when he was 11. It has a melancholic expression that stuns yet calms the listener, and can only be described as a long hug.
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The album is an homage to the multiple facets of the singer that make him Lukas Nelson, and represents a new beginning for the artist. Lukas Nelson states,
"This album is the first chapter in a whole new era of my life as an artist. It’s a love story to the country that raised me. Diners and highways that carried me through the joy and pain that led to the music you hear now."
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