Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats delivered another preview of The Future on Friday with the new single, “What If I”. The song is set to appear on the group’s third studio album on November 5th via Stax Records.

Following previously released The Future singles “Love Don’t” and “Survivor“, “What If I” continues the stylistic throttling displayed on the two prior preview tracks. Similar to “Survivor”, “Love Don’t” carries a defiant rock swagger that is still deeply rooted in the band’s familiar neo-R&B/soul stylings. Rateliff stands at the helm, offering contemplations on the swarm of what if’s that plague our lives. The track also features backing vocals from Jenny Lewis and Jeff Wolfe (Lucius).

Related: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats Wrap 2021 Return To Red Rocks, Share “Survivor” Video [Photos/Video]

The band will celebrate the release of The Future on November 4th and 5th with a pair of newly announced shows at The Beacon Theatre in New York, NY. Tickets for those shows are on sale now. Listen to the new Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats single “What If I” via the player below and click here to pre-order The Future.

Nathaniel Rateliff — “What If I”

[Video: Nathaniel Rateliff]

“What If I” Lyrics

What if I just can’t discover
What if I’m just taking too long
Or I’m wrong, my vision is cluttered
I’m stumbling on

What if I just quit tomorrow
What if I just tuck and run
If there ain’t no line to follow
Well how will you know

What if I, Cant wait any longer
But I’m scared of letting it show
And of all this piled together
The least is the most

Maybe I’m all in and doubt it
Maybe the nights are sharp and cold
Maybe it’s harder to see when you cannot believe
When only half the cards are shown
Maybe as time goes on together
We’ll learn how to grow

What if I can’t take the heartache
What if I don’t want to know
What if all I found was darkness leading to none

Well come on, just leave the light on
Give me air and clear the room
Cause if I don’t find an answer
I fear I’ll fold

What if I, Cant wait any longer
And I’m scared of letting it show
And of all these piled together
The least is the most

Maybe I’m all in and doubt it
Maybe the nights are sharp and cold
Maybe its harder to see what you cannot believe
When only half the cards are shown

Maybe as time goes on together we’ll learn how to grow
Maybe I’m all in and doubt it
Maybe I’ll go on without it

Maybe I’m all in and doubt it
Maybe I’ll go on without it

Maybe I’m all in and doubt it
Maybe I’ll go on without it

Maybe I’m all in and doubt it

View Lyrics