28th June 2024 features a new release by Nathaniel Rateliff. The singer-songwriter is sharing a new album with the Night Sweats on that day. I already had a listen to South of Here and share my thoughts with you.
Nathaniel Rateliff – About The Artist
Nathaniel Rateliff is an US-American musician. He worked in several genres, from soul and gospel to blues rock and cowpunk. Born on 7th October 1978, he turned into a professional musician in 2002. Apart from working with the Night Sweats, he also released solo albums. Additionally, he worked as Nathaniel Rateliff & the Wheel from 2007 to 2014. His most successful solo album was the 2020 And It’s Still Alright, which also made it to the Top 10 of the Netherlands. South of Here is his fourth album with the Night Sweats, the last one being The Future in 2021. With that band, he also released two EPs. I featured one of them, What If I, in 2023.
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats – South of Here – Track by Track
The eleven song album lasts 37 minutes.
1. David and Goliath
The album opens with some piano tunes, before the David and Goliath turns into an Americana rocker with a rough heart. The piano and the hard guitar chords drive this opener.
2. Heartless
Heartless does not only sound like a more emotional listen by its title – the second song is indeed more gentle than the opener. The song has a fine melody and even strikes more with his lovely storytelling.
3. Remember I Was a Dancer
Say Baby… could you pick me up and spin me around
Say Baby.. maybe I’ll remember how to smile
Say Baby… we can make it up as we go
The third song is another rather slow track, which comes with really nice and gentle vibes. Nathaniel Rateliff is having a really gentle voice in this song, which turns Remember I Was a Dancer into a lovely listen.
4. Get Used to the Night
Being released three weeks before the album, Get Used to the Night has been the last feature single of South of Here. In fact, it is also the last single release in the order of the album. The song has a more intense touch, also because the brass sounds increase the energy of this one.
5. South of Here
The title track of the album is the fifth one. The main theme is presented by the piano right at the beginning. I especially like the chorus of the song, which overall comes with a nice country and folk touch.
Then I would have to move away
Maybe south of here they’d let us be
And I would have to just move on
And maybe go back home remember who I was
6. Everybody Wants Something
With Everybody Wants Something, Nathaniel Rateliff and his musicians add another fine melody. There is a touch of Lukas Nelson in the air in these songs. They also strike with a nice balance of guitar and piano sounds.
7. Center of Me
The acoustic guitar at the beginning of Center of Me has a bit of a harp. The song has a ballad sound, but is full of struggle, like in Every night I was scared and proud, sitting in a hotel trying to write a dream. Nonetheless, being able to listen to this song feels like a gift. Lovely one.
8. Cars in the Desert
Tell me I’m a good man is the key phrase of the eighth song, which is describing a road trip scene. Another really nice song, in which piano, guitar and sax create a lovely synergy. Lovely one.
9. I Would Like to Heal
The ninth song comes with a nicely swaying rhythm. This makes the song feel a bit more simple, but it is also leading to a nice focus on the vocals and the story. I really enjoy listening to this special song.
10. Call Me (Whatever You Like)
Well they told me they told me that you ain’t got friends
and I’m staring around the room and I’m the only one that’s left
It’s a wonder… It’s wonder you come out ahead
In a moment thought for sure I’d come out dead
Call Me (Whatever You Like) is another surprise. The song feels like an indie-rocker with an agile rhythm. The brass are playing different kinds of flourish in the background. The song is one of the fastest of South of Here. Not too surprisingly, it is also one of the shortest ones in here (three minutes).
11. Time Makes Fools of Us All
The shortest song of all in the 20224 album by Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats is its closing. The stomping rhythm and the rather speed nicely connects to the previous listen. South of Here finishes with rock music attitude.
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats – South of Here – Spotify
Here is the album on Spotify:
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats – South of Here – My View
I had mixed thoughts when I reviewed the 2023 EP by the band. This time, I am more confident about the release. South of Here comes with a nice variety, good stories and nice work on the instrumental side. I definitely like it!
Favorite Song: Center of Me
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats – South of Here – 2024 South of Here European Tour
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats is currently touring Europe. Here are the tour dates.
Some two weeks before the release of the corresponding album, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats start presenting the album al over Europe. Support act is William the Conqueror.
Sa 15.06.2024 | Oslo (Norway) – Piknik i Parken | |
Su 16.06.2024 | Gothenburg (Sweden) – Pustervik | |
Tu 18.06.2024 | Odense (Denmark) – Musikhuset Posten | |
We 19.06.2024 | Berlin (Germany) – Kesselhaus | |
Fr 21.06.2024 | Landgraaf (Netherlands) – Pinkpop Festival | |
Sa 22.06.2024 | London (United Kingdom) – Eventim Apollo | |
Tu 25.06.2024 | Manchester – Albert Hall | |
We 26.06.2024 | Glasgow – O2 Academy | |
Th 27.06.2024 | York – Barbican | |
Sa 29.06.2024 | Bristol – SWX | |
Su 30.06.2024 | Wolverhampton – The Wulfrun at The Halls | |
We 03.07.2024 | Cologne (Germany) – Gloria Theater | |
Th 04.07.2024 | Wechter (Belgium) – Rock Werchter | |
Fr 05.07.2024 | Arras (France) – Main Square Festival | |
Mo 08.07.2024 | Munich (Germany) – Backstage Werk | |
Tu 09.07.2024 | Bern (Switzerland) – Bierhuebeli | |
Fr 12.07.2024 | Lisbon (Portugal) – NOS Alive | |
Sa 13.07.2024 | Madrid (Spain) – Mad Cool Festival |
St. Louis
Here are all postings related to the US-American city of St. Louis:
Concerts (All Around Cologne)
Here are all my Concerts postings related to the Greater Cologne area: