Buffalo Nichols defies expectations on his second album, ‘The Fatalist,’ infusing the blues with surprising elements like 808 programming, chopped up Charley Patton samples, and atmospheric synths. This is no gimmicky fusion, but a testament to Nichols’ vision of blues intimately tied to everyday life in 2023. The album’s complexities and gray areas explore themes of responsibility and self-definition. Nichols’ songwriting is sincere and refuses to accept pat solutions, while his low, guttural baritone dominates the songs. The slow drip of his songwriting adds drama, accentuated by the dark and dewy production. Self-produced at home, Nichols draws from his DIY experience and embraces drum machines as a natural rhythmic vehicle for the blues. The album’s most ambitious track, his take on Blind Willie Johnson’s “You’re Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond,” captures the joyous claustrophobia of classic gospel. Nichols intertwines the past and present, bridging traditional songs with contemporary interpretations. ‘The Fatalist’ is a personal exploration of agency and individuality in a world that challenges creative control.