Nathaniel Rateliff Releases New Single/Video “What a Drag”

Forget flowers and chocolate on Valentine’s Day: Nathaniel Rateliff’s new album And It’s Still Alright launches Feb. 14 via Stax Records. Rateliff’s fourth solo album, the LP features 10 tracks—Friday, Rateliff released its second single, “What a Drag,” along with a music video.

Acclaimed photographer and director of the video Danny Clinch describes it as a “strange little film” in a statement. Strange is an understatement, as the basis of the video is Rateliff dancing alone in what looks like a basement of a dingy warehouse with mannequins who have definitely seen better days. However, Clinch added, “The video allows the viewer to make their own interpretation of what the song and video means to them.”

The whimsical sounds of the guitar strumming and finger snapping bring a wanderlust-y kind of sound to “What a Drag,” giving the listener a feeling equivalent to when we stick our heads out the window while driving through mountain roads. It’s a song to definitely add to the essential road trip playlist.

Rateliff recorded his new album in Cottage Grove, Ore., in the studio of long-time friend and producer of his previous band Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats, Richard Swift. After Swift’s passing back in July 2018, Rateliff decided to record in his studio, National Freedom, alongside Patrick Meese (longtime collaborator and The Night Sweats drummer), James Barone (Beach House drummer), Tom Hagerman (DeVotchKa violinist), Luke Mossman (The Night Sweats guitarist), Elijah Thomson (Everest bassist), Daniel Creamer (The Texas Gentlemen keyboardist) and Eric Swanson (steel guitarist).