Future, The

After a bangup 2020 solo disk, And It's Still Alright, NR reunites with the Night Sweats for a killer 3rd release. The foundation for it is their trademark high octane, neo-soul, cum jam-band style that does their great Stax label proud. From this he branches out experimenting with reggae and jazz using Dylan-esque lyrics & elocution. Thematically it finds him questioning his future, having recently gone through a painful divorce and the loss of his mentor & producer Tom Swift. Hats of to the 'Sweats band that amps it up to the brink of chaos when rocking out and takes it down real low & soulful when he croons.

RIYL: The Black Pumas

1 The Future - sweet horns & slide guitar with NR channeling Mr. Dylan (med, 3:43)*
2 The Survivor - spooky R&B rumination on our uncertain future in these crazy times
(slow, 5:26)**
3 Face Down In The Moment - minimal instrumentation allow his plaintive vocals to shine in front of sublime horns (slow, 4:40)***
4 Something Ain't Right - Quirky, popish sound similar to Harry Nilsson (med, 3:36)
5 Love Me Till I'm Gone - sweet sax and breezy vocals reminicent of Van Morrison (med,
3:50)**
6 Baby I Got Your Number - jazzy acoustic guitar, congas, sweet horns & a bit of skat (slow, 3:32)**
7 What If I - uptempo soul track ponders an uncertain future with lovely chorus (fast, 3:35)***
8 I'm On Your Side - NR belts it out full tilt with killer horns behind him (fast, 3:20)
9 So Put Out - dark tale sounding of a bitter breakup (med, 3:02)
10 Oh, I - slow, acoustic reggae-influenced arrangement let his vocals shine here (slow, 3:29)***
11 Love Don't - classic high energy NR belting it out with band running on nitro covering this Motown classic (fast, 5:09)***