Vibrant, catchy, reflective, clever indie rock and pop with an twangy, effervescent, country flavour in this sixth LP by the Chicago band fronted by the candid clarity gentle humour, and emotional insight of singer-songwriter Julia Steiner. The titular theme is about a dialogue close loved one from whom she is estranged, and also filling the space that person left behind. It’s also the first Ratboys album written since Steiner began therapy, which the singer and lyricist credits for the clarity found across the album’s unflinching examinations of relationship and self. There’s also an emotional arc to the album – it begins by extending a hand into the void with the beautiful acoustic sounds of Open Up (“I look at you with my eagle eye / I won't say a big goodbye / I don't wanna fight / So, what's it gonna take to open up?”) then concludes with a scene of serenity of the walking pace of At Peace In The Hundred Acre Wood (“I'm enjoying every momеnt / As we're walking toward the world we'll find”). In between there’s also lots more to enjoy such as the initially serene then full-on stomping indie rock, extraterrestrial jam of Light Night Monntains All That; the rhythmical, pacy, catchy power-pop of Anywhere (“Ooh-ooh, I know it's bad / But I can't help my panic attack / Making sense of what is out there/ I don't have what it takes to bounce back, yeah”), rich, smooth post-country on Penny in the Lake, or heartbreaking ballads such as Just Want You to Know the Truth. Fabulous fresh, honest, classy, polished, cathartic songwriting and performance. Their first album out on New West Records.
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