Lukas Nelson’s Songwriting Shines On Debut Solo Record ‘American Romance’

Few people have seen the ends and outs of this country like Lukas Nelson has.

The son of a legendary country artist, Nelson spent much of his childhood on the road. And he must have enjoyed it, because as a career musician, he has continued that lifestyle throughout his adult life. If anyone knows the mystery and excitement that come with traversing the highways and byways of this land, it’s Nelson. Hence his new record, American Romance.

An ode to the lifestyle he has lived and the beauty of all this country has to offer, Nelson’s latest masterpiece is steeped in the timelessly romantic nature of the musician’s semi-nomadic lifestyle in America, and with every song conveying some semblance of a true story, the project draws heavily upon the experiences, people, relationships and landscapes that have shaped his life as a musician.

“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.” 

The first album without his long time band Promise of the Real, Nelson’s debut solo record is comprised of 12 tracks and includes features from some of the hottest names in country music, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Sierra Ferrell. With harmonies will hit you in the face from the opening note of the first track “Ain’t Done,” a thought-provoking and motivational song in which Nelson sheds a great deal of perspective, to the bone-chilling and regretfully lonesome balladry of the album’s final track “You Were It,” American Heartbreak is a masterful effort both sonically and lyrically, and Nelson’s songwriting abilities shine through more so than ever in this first solo project.

While a handful of these tunes were co-written with some of Nashville’s top talents like Wilson, Jon Decious, Delaney Ramsdell, and Aaron Raitiere, the majority of tracks on this record are solo writes from Nelson in peak form, which validates the personal nature of these stories and this project. Thoughtfully retrospective and unique to his experiences, yet containing themes that will prove relatable to many who listen, Nelson has delivered one of the greatest albums of the year thus far.

And as fate would have it, American Romance was produced by Shooter Jennings, the prolific producer behind much of today’s top music, and whose father Waylon Jennings, of course, spearheaded the outlaw country movement with Nelson’s father over 50 years ago.

See what you think for yourself below… here’s a few early favorites:

“Disappearing Light” ft. Stephen Wilson Jr.

“Friend in the End” ft. Sierra Ferrell

“The Lie”

“You Were It”

Lukas Nelson has really out done himself with this one, what an album.

If you want to hear these songs live, there are plenty of opportunities this summer to catch Nelson in concert. Check out his tour dates below:

Lukas Nelson Tour Dates:

6/26 – Summerfest 2025 – Milwaukee, WI*

7/17 – Jefferson Theatre – Charlottesville, VA

7/18 – Archer Music Hall – Allentown, PA^

7/19 – Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival – Trumansburg, NY*

7/23 – Ulster Performing Arts Center – Kingston, NY

7/25 – Paramount Theatre – Rutland, VT^

7/26 – Newport Folk Festival – Newport, RI*

7/28 – Tree House Brewing Company – Deerfield, MA^

8/1 – 8/2 – Wildlands Festival – Big Sky, MT*

8/3 – Abayance Bay Marina – Rexford, MT

8/6 – Pub Station – Billings, MT

8/8 – Canyons Village at Park City – Park City, UT+

8/10 – Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival – Alta, WY*

9/13 – Telluride Blues & Brews Festival – Telluride, CO*

9/19 – 9/21 – Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion – Bristol, TN*

9/26 – Ohana Festival – Dana Point, CA*

10/4 – Mempho Fest – Memphis, TN*

10/10 – Riverfront Revival Music Festival – North Charleston, SC*

*festival date
^w/ Payton Howie
+w/ Molly TuttleThe post Lukas Nelson’s Songwriting Shines On Debut Solo Record ‘American Romance’ first appeared on Whiskey Riff.