Neil Young may hail from Canada, but his uniquely influential country-rock legacy has seen him take on the mantle of an all-American icon with ease. What better title for his upcoming album, then, than ‘Americana’ – a new collection of cover versions in which he is accompanied by long-standing bandmates Crazy Horse. It’s no less than the 34th studio album by Mr. Young, and – much like his rock legend cohorts Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen – age has done little to mellow his creative prowess, political astuteness, and enviable emotive craft.

‘Americana’ sees Young and Crazy Horse take on the heritage-laden world of American folk songs, classic-era pop music and – bizarrely – a cover of the UK national anthem ‘God Save The Queen’ (which – given the media hype currently swamping Britain in advance of the Queen’s 60th anniversary on the throne – one suspects may be more than a little tongue in cheek). They’re all filtered through Young’s unmistakable rock vision and aesthetic, and the result – regardless of what the listener may think of the original songs – provide some of the most interesting interpretations of these classic tunes ever recorded.

‘Americana’ will be available to buy from next Tuesday, but in the meantime why not wind down your hectic week (hey, Thursday is essentially the new Friday, after all, right?) by kicking back and listening to the whole thing in advance, thanks to the good people at Soundcloud? Here you go …