If It's Too Loud...

Photo Alexa Viscius The latest single from Chicago's Ratboys is their most country song of all of their recent singles. One thing we've always loved about the band is how they meld indie rock with country, so "Morning Zoo" feels almost like a back to basics for them. Of course, Ratboys were never quite a country band, and this certainly isn't a straight up country song. It's on the edge of the mainstream side of indie rock with country influences and a slight twang. The guitar work in "Morning Zoo" will instantly suck you in, and Julia Steiner's vocals and lyrics will keep you enthralled. Julia Steiner says of the new single: “The lyrics are meant to express the frustration and confusion that comes along with hanging out at a personal crossroads, where every day feels the same and the same big questions keep nagging at you from the back of your head. It’s that small, lingering feeling of numb indecision, of pesky anxiety- like disassociating at a...

Photo by Alexa Viscius I keep saying 2023 is the year some of our favorite bands are levelling up, and I'm going to put Ratboys in that category with their latest single. "The Window" starts off as a gorgeous and heartbreaking power ballad of the folk pop variety. About half way through, it kicks into gear and shifts into a more indie rock/power pop track with the guitars matching singer Julia Steiner's emotions. We've been fans of the Chicago band for a while, and this is such a powerful and emotional song. Even without knowing the story behind it, "The Window" will sweep you up and hold you completely in its grasp for four and a half minutes. Julia Steiner explains the story behind the band's new song: “I wrote this song a few days after the death of my grandma in June of 2020. She didn’t have covid, but because of the pandemic my grandpa wasn’t able to visit her in person at the nursing home to say goodbye. He ended up standing outside her room an...

Photo by Alexa Viscius It's no secret that we love everything Ratboys do. They tend to slide effortlessly between Americana and indie rock, and those are possibly our favorite genres, so they're an easy band for us to love. Their latest single, "It's Alive!," continues their quest for new sounds within those genres. For this one, the Chicago band go mid-90's laid back power pop with a tiny bit of twang for a sound that is instantly recognizable yet very unique. It's a fun kind of song that could have been a big hit in 1996. Back when alt-rock radio was a thing, "It's Alive!" could have easily been the song of the summer. You can watch the video for "It's Alive!" below. The Window  is due out August 25 on Topshelf Records, and is available for pre-order here . For more on Ratboys, check out their website. Upcoming tour dates are below the video. Fri. Aug. 25 - Chicago, IL @ Schubas Tavern Thu. Sep. 21 - Champaign-Urbana, IL @ Pyg...