Neil Young’s ‘Monsanto Years’ Album Cover + Release Date Revealed

The cover of Neil Young's forthcoming record, The Monsanto Years, is as scathing and straightforward as the record's title.

Young released the cover art -- which depicts figures in hazmat suits and Young himself posing American Gothic-style in sunglasses -- today (May 26), as well as new details of the album. The record will be released on June 29th via Reprise.

The LP takes on ecological injustices perpetrated by corporations like Starbucks and Monsanto (if you hadn't already figured that out). On the record, Young is backed by Promise of the Real, a band that features Willie Nelson's sons Lukas and Micah.

Last week, Young previewed a track called "Rock Starbucks" on the Democracy Now! radio show. That's probably the same song that's listed on the track listing -- officially released today -- as "A Rock Star Bucks a Coffee Shop."

In April, Young screened a documentary on the making of The Montsanto Years in New York City.

This late period of Young's career certainly finds him in an experimental mode. Last year, Young released an album on which he was backed by a 92-piece orchestra. After the release of The Monsanto Years, Young will embark on a July tour of heartland cities and suburban arenas, listed below.

Neil Young and Promise of the Real 2015 Tour
July 5: Milwaukee, Wis. — Summerfest
July 8-9: Denver, Colo. — Red Rocks *
July 11: Lincoln, Neb. — Pinnacle Bank Arena *
July 13: Cincinnati, Ohio — Riverbend Music Center *
July 14: Clarkston, Mich. — DTE Energy Music Theatre
July 16: Camden, N.J. — Susquehanna Bank Center *
July 17: Bethel, N.Y. — Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
July 19: Essex Junction, Vt. — Champlain Valley Expo
July 21: Wantagh, N.Y. — Jones Beach
July 22: Great Woods, Mass. — Xfinity Center
July 24: Oro-Medonte, Ontario — Wayhome Festival
*with Band of Horses