Nathaniel Rateliff - And It's Still Alright (Caroline Records)

If you are fan of Nathaniel Rateliff you will have had to wait 7 years for this new album.

Apparently the songs initially centred on the pain of his unraveling relationship but the theme of the album took a different direction when Richard Swift, his long time friend and producer of two of his albums, passed away in July 2018.

The title track of the album is a song Bruce Springsteen could have recorded: a country flavoured track that had a lyric that is about Swift. The album sees Rateliff in a reflective mood and most of the tracks here are slow numbers.

To record the album Rateliff returned to Swift's studio in Oregon and the country inspired songs continue with a steel guitar on most of the songs. Standout tracks include the distinct Expecting To Lose which has a vocal hook that instantly reaches out to you and Kissing Our Friends - a haunting ballad that would be a good closing track to his forthcoming concerts that are due to be held later this spring.

I rate the album 3 out of 5

Nathaniel Rateliff plays Manchester Bridgewater Hall on Monday 27 April 2020.