At the center of every album is a musical thesis. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats self-titled album is at its core old soul music. It bleeds pure throwback with every single note and breath. It features song after song focused on a man's concern with not measuring up to the expectations of his partner, peers, and the outside world. It is here that I can relate. Call it the struggle of being in your 30's, but I know very few people who are where they thought they would be, myself included. At times, this feeling can be frustrating, at others, it’s just disappointing. For this reason, this music matters. It stands as a symbol that you are not alone.
Be good to each other,
-Nathan