Neil Young Confirms Archives Volume IV Nearing Completion, Covering 1987-2004

Neil Young announced that work on his next archival release, Archives Volume IV, is entering its final stages. The set will span 1987‑2004, a period that includes some of the artist’s most celebrated albums and a series of stylistic shifts, collaborations and live projects.

The announcement follows the September 2024 release of Archives Volume III, which covered 1976‑1987. The Archives series began with Volume I in 2009 and added Volume II in 2022. Together, the collections document Young’s career through unreleased recordings, alternate takes, live performances, films and studio sessions.

Unlike earlier volumes that largely preserved recordings in their original state, Volume IV will feature selected material that has been mixed and refined specifically for the collection. Young has said that newly discovered recordings from the period are being prepared for release, and that many tracks have been remixed with a greater emphasis on lead vocals and bass. The Bluenotes era, surrounding the 1988 album This Note’s For You, is a key focus; performances from the Bluenote Café period have been remixed to highlight the songs and lyrics rather than the band’s swing.

The set will also delve into the sessions that produced Freedom, the landmark 1989 album that re‑established Young’s standing after a turbulent decade. Rehearsal recordings for Saturday Night Live performances, including an early version of “Fuckin’ Up”, will appear alongside material recorded at New York’s Hit Factory studios. Young has indicated that any altered versions will be available alongside the original recordings on the Neil Young Archives platform, preserving the original mix while offering listeners revised interpretations.

The 1987‑2004 timeframe covers a prolific run of albums: Life (1987), This Note’s For You (1988), Freedom (1989), Ragged Glory (1990), Harvest Moon (1992), Sleeps With Angels (1994), Mirror Ball (1995), Broken Arrow (1996), Silver & Gold (1998), Are You Passionate? (2000) and Greendale (2003). The set is expected to include unreleased songs, alternate takes and live recordings from these sessions. The Ragged Glory sessions, for example, are among the most sought‑after unreleased recordings in Young’s catalogue.

Film material is also likely to be significant. Young has indicated that numerous films are part of the collection, including the 1991 Weld concert film and the 2003 Greendale film project. The 1995 Dublin concert with Pearl Jam, which was recently released in full through Volume IV, is another example of the live footage that may be included.

The scale of the Archives project is notable. Few veteran artists have undertaken a series of releases with the continuity, historical detail and breadth that Young’s programme offers. Each volume rewrites sections of his recorded history, revealing how songs evolved and how major albums were assembled.

While a release date has not yet been announced, the artist’s comments suggest that the project is deep into production and approaching completion. If previous volumes are a guide, the set will combine unreleased tracks, alternate mixes, live recordings, films and extensive documentation.

For creators, producers and fans, Archives Volume IV promises unprecedented insight into a pivotal period of Neil Young’s career. The collection will bring listeners closer to the sessions, performances and decisions that shaped nearly two decades of music.