Premiere: Scottish Soulster Paolo Nutini Strips Down In New Video

Musically. Strips down musically. (Sorry.)

This is Scottish soul singer Paolo Nutini

Photo by Shamil Tanna / Via press.atlanticrecords.com

Already a star in his native country, his latest album Caustic Love debuted at No. 1 in the UK earlier this year, where it remained in the Top 10 for over 15 weeks. The album saw its Stateside release in September, and Nutini has been making waves here ever since. He just wrapped a North American tour earlier this month, which included performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and the TODAY show.

While in the States, Nutini recorded a series of stripped-down versions of songs from Caustic Love at Sam’s BBQ in Austin, TX, a perfect backdrop for this particular treatment. We’re happy to premiere “Let Me Down Easy” on BuzzFeed Music today.

In the song, you’ll hear the scratchy, raw traces of Wilson Pickett, Rod Stewart, and Joe Cocker in Nutini's voice. There's a little bit of Otis Redding in there too, which -- like you -- we can’t believe we just typed. But it’s true. And Nutini knows he sounds great. That’s why (presumably) he has the confidence to rock this deep scoop tee with a bolo tie look.

The song is about a break up, and Nutini begs for the partner leaving him to show some empathy out the door. "Let me down easy," he sings. "Though your love for me is gone/ Let me down easy/ Since you feel to stay is wrong."

Atlantic

We've all been there! Nutini goes on to sing:

We are broken by others

But we mend ourselves

We take comfort in strangers

But I don't think it helps

If every fool wore a crown

I would be a king and not a clown

And you can tell he's feeling it.

Atlantic

Watch "Let Me Down Easy" by Paolo Nutini below.

Let it burn.