Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats Announce Debut Album Released August 21st on Stax / Caroline International

Nathaniel Rateliff, best known for his critically acclaimed 2010 solo record ‘In Memory of Loss’ returns with both a brand new band and sound. The sparse, melancholic folk of Rateliff’s solo work has grown into a wall-rattling 7 piece soul band; The Night Sweats. Their self-titled debut album, produce by Richard Swift (The Black Keys, The Shins) is a timeless collection of eleven tracks, overflowing with irresistible grooves and unforgettable hooks. Testament to the pure quality of this record is the fact that legendary label Stax are releasing it on August 21st.

Whilst drawing inspiration from Soul greats such as Sam & Dave and Otis Redding, multi- instrumentalist Rateliff puts his own unique touch on the genre. Upbeat melodies are juxtaposed with the deeply personal and introspective lyrics that have become Nathaniel’s trademark over the years. True to form, he continues to write the often brutally honest lyrics that have already won him a legion of dedicated fans across the UK.

“These songs are about the struggles I’ve had in my life—drinking too much, that kind of crap,” he says with characteristic candor. “And then the relationships we all have. I’m not a great communicator in my personal life, so it’s funny to be writing songs that say the things that I’m never very good at saying.”

As the band blazes away “I Need Never Get Old,” the visceral “Howling at Nothing” and the supercharged “Trying So Hard Not to Know” which open the album with a sustained outpouring of torrid intensity, Rateliff is opening himself up emotionally as well as physically, the raw grit in his voice conveying anguish and hope in equal measure.

“S.O.B.” sits at the dead centre of the album, a foot stomping party anthem set between the brutally honest confessionals “I’ve Been Failing” and “Wasted Time.” Thematically, the song is the album’s linchpin, partly a rebuke, partly a cry of defiance.

“I try to be lighthearted,” Rateliff says, “because, although the songs are heavy, I want it to be a release for people. I’m trying to do something that’s emotionally charged and heartfelt, and I want the experience to be joyous, for people to feel excited and dance around instead of being super-bummed by reality—I mean, things are hard. But I can remember dancing around to some song that was breakin’ my heart, dancin’ with tears in my eyes. I love that feeling, and I wanna share it with people, and hopefully they’ll feel it too.” 

TRACKLIST:

1. Need Never Get Old
2. Howling At Nothing
3. Trying So Hard Not To Know
4. I’ve Been Falling
5. S.O.B
6. Wasting Time
7. Thank You
8. Look It Here
9. Shake
10. I’d Be Waiting
11. Mellow Out 

For press inquiries please contact georg.ekelund@caroline.com