Dream Chaser is the 79th solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. It was released on May 29, 2026, through Legacy Recordings.
The album was released a month after Nelson's 93rd birthday.
Background Nelson announced the album on March 18, 2026, alongside the release of the album's first single, the title track.
The title track was described as Nelson "reflecting on the rapid passage of time" by Eddie Fu of Consequence.
Dream Chaser features the first time Nelson and Bob Dylan co-wrote a song together since Across the Borderline in 1993, as the pair, alongside producer Buddy Cannon, co-wrote the song "I Can't Read Your Mind".
Critical reception
Tim Cumming at The Arts Desk described Dream Chaser as "flawless and hugely enjoyable", giving particular focus to the quality of Nelson's songwriting which he found "as astute, funny and affecting as ever". Ed Power at Hot Press found the album to employ Nelson's "familiar palette" in service of "a grippingly bittersweet survey of life, aging - and whatever comes next".
Track listing
Personnel Credits are adapted from Tidal. Willie Nelson – lead vocals, guitar Michael Rojas – Hammond organ, piano, vibraphone, Wurlitzer piano Fred Eltringham – drums, percussion Bobby Terry – acoustic guitar James Mitchell – electric guitar Mickey Raphael – harmonica Tommy White – steel guitar Ben Isaacs – upright bass Buddy Cannon – production Tony Castle – engineering, mixing Grant Wilson – engineering assistance Michelle Freetly – engineering assistance Andrew Mendelson – mastering Adam Battershell – mastering assistance Andrew Darby – mastering assistance Luke Armentrout – mastering assistance Thomas Oakes – mastering assistance
Charts + Chart performance for Dream Chaser Chart (2026) Peakposition Croatian International Albums (HDU) 13 Norwegian Albums (IFPI Norge) 76 Swedish Physical Albums (Sverigetopplistan) 19 UK Albums Sales (OCC) 46
References