Jackson Browne’s New Album,

The Grammynominated singersongwriter of “Running on Empty” and “Doctor My Eyes,” 72, returns with his first new album in nearly seven years, Downhill From Everywhere (July 23). With messages about environmental and political issues in the world, it’s Browne’s most socially conscious album since 1986’s Lives in the Balance. This month, he also begins a live U.S. tour as special guest of James Taylor and His All-Star Band.

What inspired the title, Downhill From Everywhere? Oceanographer Captain Charles Moore, who said, “The ocean is downhill from everywhere.” He was pointing out that everything that humanity produces and everything that we do winds up in the ocean.

Is it easier or more difficult to write songs now in your 70s? It’s harder to write something I like. But it’s always been hard, so I don’t know. I have it pretty easy, frankly. I’ve got a room full of instruments, a wonderful studio and great players to play with. The thing is, not just anything will do. I don’t crank out songs; I don’t make lots of records. I just do the stuff that matters to me, and I hold myself to a pretty high standard because I never want to repeat myself.

So how are you doing? You contracted COVID-19 early in the pandemic. I’m fine. It was way back at the beginning, more than a year ago now, March 2020. I was well again really soon. It wasn’t that bad of a case, so I was on the mend within a couple weeks.

You have 50-plus years as a musician. How do you measure success? You measure it in terms of how much you’re able to continue to pursue your goals and how well you’re able to prioritize doing that. I measure my success in terms of my freedom to be creative, not by money. Money plays a role in that, of course, being secure. But it’s never been the object for me.