Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are back with a five-track EP, What If I. The EP features four previously unreleased songs recorded during The Future sessions as well as a newly written and recorded track called “Buy My Round.” Fans can pre-order the EP on the band’s website.

In anticipation of the forthcoming EP, the band is sharing an alternate version of the track “What If I,” originally from The Future. Listen to it below.

“We loved this song on The Future, but man is it hard for us to sing live,” recalls Rateliff. “Not just me, but Pat Meese (drums, percussion, keys) and Mark Shusterman (organ, keys) are screaming their harmonies. So, we wanted another version to add to some of the other song we held back from the full length. I gave it over to Bradley Cook and Phil Cook…Phil arranged the piano part he wrote around just my vocal and added a simple clap. Pat, Mark, and Luke Mossman (guitar) added some extra sounds to Phil’s arrangement while we were on the road, along with shaker and cabasa from Matt McCaughan. I love the way this version turned out.”

All songs on the What If I EP were produced by Bradley Cook and d R.M.B.—the production trio of Rateliff, Meese and James Barone. In addition, the track “Slow Pace of Time” features The Preservation Hall Jazz Band’s leader and clarinetist, Charlie Gabriel.

Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna