There’s a lot to love about the direction Ratboys took on Singin’ To An Empty Chair, the Chicago-based indie pop band’s sixth studio album. While the title of the record and artwork seem to imply that there’s an element missing, instead it is the beginning of an important dialogue with a close loved one lead vocalist Julia Steiner finds herself estranged from. Singin’ to an Empty Chair also marks the first Ratboys album written since Steiner began therapy, which the singer/lyricist credits for the clarity found in the lyrical material that is a vivid investigation of self-reflection and the importance of healthy relationships. While some of these conversations had within Singin’ To An Empty Chair may feel difficult, messy, or at times even bleak, Ratboys take it all in stride and leave signs of hope and clarity in the end. “It’s not all doom and gloom,” Steiner says. “The experience of making this record definitely gives me hope for whatever happens next.” By putting her full self into this album, Steiner and her bandmates live up to the hype surrounding this band that continues to get better on each release. If The Window was Ratboys telling the world, “We’ve arrived,” Singin’ To An Empty Chair emphatically states, “We’re here to stay.” I promise it will be worth the visit, and this wonderful record exceeded all of my expectations.

On the fifth studio album by the charming indie-rock band, Ratboys, called The Window, the band expand up on the ideas that they tinkered with on the preceding record, Happy Birthday, Ratboy, with a matured sound. The band chose to work with Chris Walla (Death Cab For Cutie, Snarls) on The Window and it would mark the first time they would record directly onto tape. Ratboys had first met Walla on a tour stop in Montreal, and he agreed to produce the album in 2021, while they sent voice memos of early demos of the songs that would end up on this record. Through the advice that Walla gave the band, Ratboys would record these songs in Walla’s Seattle studio that really jump off the speakers with veteran ease. The stylistic choices on The Window range from straight-forward indie rock, punk, grunge, to a more alt-country sound that fit well within the vocal range and capabilities of lead vocalist/guitarist Julia Steiner. The band appears to be gaining confidence at just the right moment in their trajectory, which makes it a fun time to be a fan of Ratboys.