South of Here explained

South of Here
Type:	album
Artist:	Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
Cover:	South_of_Here_———_cover.jpeg
Released:	June 28, 2024
Studio:	Broken Creek Studio (Colorado) Sonic Ranch (Texas)
Genre:	Soul rock^[1]
Length:	36:42
Label:	Stax
Producer:	Brad Cook
Prev Title:	The Future
Prev Year:	2021

South of Here is the fourth studio album by American rock band Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats. It was released on June 28, 2024, by Stax Records. The album was produced by Brad Cook and all songs were written by Nathaniel Rateliff.

Background

Nathaniel Rateliff wrote and recorded the album with his band, the Night Sweats, in two different places: his own studio, Broken Creek, and Sonic Ranch in Texas. According to a note written by Rateliff, the songs explore his "anxiety, insecurity, and also stories of [his] life". He also notes on how Brad Cook inspired him to focus more on writing about what was happening in his life, allowing him to develop more personal works.^[2]

Singles

The album's lead single "Heartless" was released on April 19, 2024. The song explores the challenges of life, and Rateliff's optimism to find the strength to overcome his challenges.^[3] The song peaked at number 1 on the Adult Alternative Airplay chart.^[4]

Promotional singles

The album's first promotional single "David and Goliath" was released on May 17, 2024, followed by "Get Used to the Night" on June 7, 2024.^{[5] [6]}

Critical reception

Upon its release, South of Here received primarily positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 based on reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 78 based on 8 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Timothy Monger wrote that, "Rateliff leads his crew through a panoply of '70s-touched roots rock, delivered with warmth, sincerity, and occasional bursts of grit. Even amid its themes of anxiety and overcoming trauma, South of Here manages to stay buoyant, and at times playful."

Personnel

Musicians

• Nathaniel Rateliff – vocals, piano, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, banjo, art direction
• Luke Mossman – guitar, pedal steel
• Joseph Pope III – bass
• Mark Shusterman – Hammond B3, piano, muted piano
• Patrick Meese – drums, keyboards, piano, Omnichord
• Daniel Hardaway – trumpet
• Jeff Dazey – tenor saxophone
• Matt Douglas – additional tenor saxophone
• Andreas Wild – baritone saxophone, bass clarinet
• Phil Cook – Dobro, piano

Additional roles

• Brad Cook – production
• Paul Voran – mixing, engineering
• Mario Ramirez – assistant engineering
• Mark Anderson – additional assistant engineering
• Gerardo Ordonez – additional engineering and horns (tracks 5, 7)
• Chris Colbert – mastering
• Rett Rogers – art direction, photography
• Clay Condor – exterior layout
• Telepath Design – interior layout

Notes and References

1. Web site: Shahen. Jim. ALBUM REVIEW: Nathaniel Rateliff Merges Musical Strengths on 'South of Here' . No Depression. July 13, 2024 . June 25, 2024.
2. Web site: Moore. John. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats' 'South Of Here' is Most Musically Diverse Effort to Date (ALBUM REVIEW) . Glide Magazine. July 13, 2024 . June 25, 2024.
3. Web site: Listen: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Announce Fourth Full-Length Album 'South of Here' with "Heartless" Preview . Relix. July 13, 2024 . April 19, 2024.
4. Rutherford. Kevin. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats Crown Adult Alternative Airplay With 'Heartless' . Billboard. July 13, 2024 . July 12, 2024.
5. Web site: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - "David & Goliath" (Official Lyric Video) . YouTube . 16 May 2024 . July 13, 2024.
6. Web site: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats - "Get Used to the Night" (Official Lyric Video) . YouTube . 7 June 2024 . July 13, 2024.