Ratboys didn’t explode onto the scene, nor did they propel to stardom on the back of their debut. That’s a good thing, mind you: having never been through the ringer of hype machines and overnight success, the Chicago band have instead allowed their twinkling, countrified take on jangly indie rock to steadily brew for a decade-plus without any major spectacle.
Ratboys’ fifth LP Singin’ to an Empty Chair arrives with little fanfare — just the way they like it. If there’s an album of theirs to get excited about, however, it’s this one.
Back in the saddle with producer Chris Walla, who oversaw the band’s excellent 2023 effort The Window, Ratboys are working towards two key goals simultaneously. The first is…