Neil Diamond’s Lost Album Wild At Heart: Release Date, Tracklist & Rick Rubin Collaboration

Neil Diamond is preparing to release Wild At Heart, a nine-song album recorded during the sessions for his 2008 release, Home Before Dark, on May 8 via Capitol/UMe. The release, framed not as outtakes but as the concluding chapter of a trilogy with 12 Songs (2005) and Home Before Dark, features an alternate version of the latter album’s track “Forgotten.”

The project reunites Diamond with producer Rick Rubin, who oversaw the stripped-down sound of both 12 Songs and Home Before Dark. Rubin’s work with Diamond during this period mirrored his approach to Johnny Cash’s late-career recordings, prioritizing a raw, minimalist aesthetic. Diamond described his collaboration with Rubin as “a labor of love,” expressing his satisfaction that these songs will finally be released to the public.

The announcement arrives alongside the premiere of the album’s title track, “Wild At Heart,” and a trailer offering a glimpse into the creative process. The album’s tracklist includes “You Can’t Have It All,” “Talking It To Death,” “Shine On,” “The Secret You,” “You Never Know,” “You’re Getting To Me,” “You Still Look Good To Me,” and “You’re My Favorite Song.”

The timing of the release coincides with renewed interest in Diamond’s work, fueled in part by the December 25th theatrical release of Song Sung Blue, a biographical musical drama directed by Craig Brewer. The film, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as Mike and Claire Sardina – the duo behind the Neil Diamond tribute band Lightning & Thunder – premiered at the AFI Film Festival on October 26, 2025, and has grossed $58 million to date, according to Wikipedia. The film’s narrative also touches on Diamond’s own musical evolution, particularly his embrace of a more intimate sound in the 2000s.

Song Sung Blue’s success has also brought attention to the period of Diamond’s career that saw him collaborate with Rubin. The film’s release, coupled with Wild At Heart, suggests a broader re-evaluation of Diamond’s catalog and his influence on contemporary music. The official trailer for Song Sung Blue, released September 9, 2025, highlights the film’s focus on Diamond’s iconic songs, as noted in a YouTube promotional video.

Pre-orders for Wild At Heart are currently available, with the album set to drop in early May. Capitol/UMe has not yet indicated whether further archival material from the Rubin sessions will be released.