​Lukas Nelson (from American Romance

​Lukas Nelson (from American Romance

​Lukas Nelson (from American Romance on 6 Ace Records/Sony Music) (by Danny McCloskey)
 
The recent release, American Romance, is a solo debut from Lukas Nelson, though hardly a first step in the studio or stage. Beginning at age 13, Lukas Nelson was on stage with guitar and vocals for his dad, Willie Nelson. He formed Promise of the Real in 2010, with the band beginning to back Neil Young as a touring band in 2014, formerly cementing the role when they followed Neil into the studio for his album, The Monsanto Years. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real moved on to the next level with a presence of their own with 2017’s self-titled album, following the release with a series of top shelf studio recordings, Turn Off the News (Build a Garden) (2019), A Few Stars Apart (2021), and Sticks and Stones (2023). Additionally, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real appeared in, and contributed to, 2018’s A Star is Born, Lukas co-writing nine of the film’s soundtrack songs with stars of the production, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga. American Romance is less a debut than another tributary of the talent stream that courses from Lukas Nelson, a recording that showcases the 36-year-old’s grasp of words and music nearly a quarter-century into his time as a performer.
 
His songwriting on American Romance is clear and concise. Lukas Nelson masterfully grapples with universal themes of a various emotions as he relates time spent in his own moments on earth, a life lived on the road and performing. To that end, a caffeinated rhythm supports an easy vocal flow that confesses ‘road life took my better days’ in “Born Runnin’ Outta Time”. The album slows as the picking of a single acoustic guitar quiets to wrap around the tender reverie of “You Were It” as a rumbling rhythm courses underneath “All God Did”. A gnarly electric guitar riff leads the way into the DIY guide on the path to peace of mind in “The Lie” while a thrumming heartbeat defines the walk across “Make You Happy” and a honky-tonk shuffle kicks up the sawdust of a dance floor with “Outsmarted”. Produced by Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker), American Romance navigates the complexities found in both joy and heartbreak with words and music. Lukas Nelson is joined on the album by Sierra Ferrell (“Friend in the End”) and Stephen Wilson Jr (“Disappearing Light”). (by Danny McCloskey)
 
Listen and buy the music of Lukas Nelson from AMAZON
 
Please visit the Lukas Nelson website for more information