Courtney Barnett has shared her first new music in almost two years: A cover of the Neil Young song ‘Lotta Love’, originally released in 1978 on his ninth solo album Comes A Time. Barnett recorded the cover as part of the upcoming tribute album Heart Of Gold: The Songs Of Neil Young. Like all of Barnett’s recorded output of the 2020s, it was recorded in collaboration with Warpaint drummer Stella Mozgawa – who also provided backing vocals for the cover.
Mini Mansions bassist Zach Dawes and session keyboardist Dave Palmer also contributed to the recording, which took place in Los Angeles at the end of 2023. “‘Lotta Love’ is one of my favourite Neil songs,” said Barnett in a brief statement regarding her selection for the compilation. “The lyrics feel especially relevant at this moment in history. It’s a real honour to be part of this tribute [album], helping to raise funds for The Bridge School.”
Courtney Barnett – ‘Lotta Love’
Barnett’s last studio album, Things Take Time, Take Time, was released in 2021. Since then, her output has been relatively minimal. In 2022, she contributed a cover of Sleater-Kinney‘s ‘Words And Guitar’ to Dig Me In: A Dig Me Out Covers Album as part of a tribute to the band’s 1997 album. The following year, she released End Of The Day – an instrumental soundtrack album recorded with Mozgawa to score her documentary Anonymous Club. Also in 2023, Barnett released a split 7-inch with longtime friend and collaborator Kurt Vile, with the pair both covering songs by American band Chastity Belt: Barnett chose ‘Different Now’, while Vile optioned ‘This Time Of Night’.
Heart Of Gold: The Songs Of Neil Young is set for release on Friday, April 25th via Kilphonic Records. Other artists that have contributed to the compilation include Fiona Apple, who has covered the title track, as well as Eddie Vedder (‘The Needle And The Damage Done’), Mumford & Sons (‘Harvest’) and Sharon Van Etten (‘Here We Are In The Years’). The album can be pre-ordered by clicking here.
Further Reading
Milk! Records to Close at the End of 2023, Announces Final Release
Courtney Barnett, Sleater-Kinney Unite To Cover Olivia Newton-John’s ‘Physical’
Courtney Barnett Announces Compilation to Benefit Reproductive Rights Organisations
