Lukas Nelson Shares “Born Runnin’ Outta Time,” Second Preview from ‘American Romance’

Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez

In March, Lukas Nelson unveiled American Romance, his debut solo album and first offering since parting ways with his longtime band Promise of the Real in June 2024. Today, the country torchbearer has shared a new preview of his second act with “Born Runnin’ Outta Time,” the project’s second single after “Ain’t Done.”

Like its precursor, which showed Nelson gazing out over new horizons and summoning the will to push forward, “Born Runnin’ Outta Time” is just as contemplative and powerful as it is infectious. Over an uptempo, electrified ramble of guitars, grand piano and pedal steel, the singer-songwriter pours out a strikingly honest account of his restless creative spirit in a rich and dynamic vocal performance. “I’ve always wrestled with that impulse—the ambition versus the ability to appreciate what I have,” he divulged. “Nothing you ever get will be good enough and nothing you ever achieve will fill that hole, so you must be able find peace now. Whatever comes is just icing on the cake.” 

American Romance centers this sort of thoughtful storytelling that’s made Nelson a fixture of the country world for 15 years. The twelve-track project is produced by the country kingmaker–and fellow second-generation Highwayman–Shooter Jennings and includes collaborations with Sierra Ferrell, Stephen Wilson Jr., Anderson East and SistaStrings. Nelson’s tales of his life on the road so far are supported by a stacked instrumental ensemble of percussionists Matt Chamberlain and Chris Powell, bassist Corey McCormick, dobroist Marty Muse, guitarist Brian Whelan, fiddler Eleanor Whitmore and pedal steel from Russ Pahl.

“This album is the first chapter in a whole new era of my life as an artist,” Nelson shared. “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.”

American Romance will release on June 20 via Sony Music Nashville and is available to pre-order now. Listen to“Born Runnin’ Outta Time” below, and find more information on Nelson and his tour itinerary at lukasnelson.com.