CD of The Week

It’s rare for a band to be active for 16 years and still feel like they are getting bigger and better with every release, but Chicago’s Ratboys fit that description. Part of it is timing, as the merging of twangier influences into traditional indie rock has become one of the more notable music trends of the last few years, but a bigger part is the band’s ambition and skill. In particular, frontwoman/rhythm guitarist Julia Steiner has kept pushing herself vocally and lyrically, culminating in an album influenced by her recent experiences in therapy for the first time. Thus, Singin’ to an Empty Chair is the most vulnerable Ratboys album yet, but the versatility and impressive musicianship remain. In fact, these qualities may have even gotten stronger since 2023’s The Window.

The eleven tracks on the new album comprise a cohesive whole, yet all have different, strongly appealing textures. “Know You Then” is Ratboys as a straight-ahead, anthemic rock band with both the tension and sing-along chorus of a great alt-rock radio tune, while “Strange Love” is a pretty ballad that evokes classic country with Steiner’s restrained vocals and welcome splashes of background harmonies. Meanwhile, the first single, “Anywhere,” chugs along with a propulsive arrangement and power pop touches, such as a bridge with irresistible handclaps.

However, as on previous album highlights such as “Black Earth, WI,” Ratboys stretch out and push boundaries to great effect. “Light Night Mountains All That” shifts tempos frequently while lead guitarist Dave Sagan shows off his virtuosity through a series of fuzz-laden riffs and solos. The penultimate track, “Burn It Down,” is a timely and atmospheric slow-burn that is a clear metaphor for a violent form of activism. “Just Want to Know the Truth” is the emotional centerpiece of the album, an epic, eight-and-a-half-minute acoustic song where Steiner addresses her estrangement from a family member. The lyrics initially comprise sweet memories of “sittin’ on the couch / watching Antiques Roadshow” but slowly morph into painful revelations where Steiner chastises the subject saying, “it’s not what you did / it’s what you didn’t do” after “some skeletons” were revealed. The song is utterly authentic and quietly powerful, earning its length and its place as a highlight of a great album.

Levelling up once again on their sixth full-length, Ratboys wonderfully blend the gentle and the fierce, accompanied by plenty of hooks and distinctive flourishes throughout.Without question, the band is now one of the best indie acts in the U.S. and fully worthy of their increasing hype and popularity.

Ratboys are stopping by Philly for a sold-out show at First Unitarian Church with Florry on Tuesday, March 3rd.

Here at Y-Not Radio, we’ve been supporters of Silversun Pickups since the beginning of their career, nearly 20 years ago. The Silverlake-based rockers have mined their mix of ‘90s alt-rock radio and shoegaze-y tones in a variety of ways over time and on their seventh album, Tenterhooks, they’re still exploring different avenues and sonic textures.

Working with iconic producer Butch Vig for the third time, SSPU really highlight their signature sounds throughout the ten tunes found on Tenterhooks. Album opener “New Wave” sets the stage with its epic drumming and buzzing guitar solo. The rocking lead single “The Wreckage” is built on top of a big, pounding bass riff from Nikki Monninger. Nikki also handles lead vocals on the great “Au Revoir Reservoir.” Usually singing backups or in a breathier tone on SSPU songs, you’ve never heard her take the reins and sing this forcefully before the way she does on this ‘80s-inspired track.

The intense, rocking “Wakey Wakey” will certainly wake you up, as all four members of the band are on fire here. Singer/guitarist Brian Aubert shows off how well his distinct playing translates on an acoustic guitar with “Long Gone,” aided by Tanya Haden of that dog fame on the cello.

“Running Out of Sounds,” contrary to the title, certainly isn’t something that Silversun Pickups is doing. And on the rocker “Interrobang,” Aubert pays tribute to one of his most notable forebears with a very Billy Corgan-sounding guitar tone. As usual, Aubert’s lyrics are cryptic, poetic, and elliptical, but there’s certainly a sense of dread and anxiety about the world around us creeping in throughout. The idiom “on tenterhooks” generally means having a feeling of anxiousness about what is yet to come.

Overall, Tenterhooks really highlights the individual work of the four members of SSPU: Aubert’s unique guitar work, complex drum patterns from Christopher Guanlao, Monninger holding it all down with her heavy bass parts, and Joe Lester adding keyboard flourishes throughout. Together, they’ve crafted another recognizable SSPU record that fans will love to sink their hooks into.

Silversun Pickups don’t have a Philadelphia date yet for 2026, but they will be in Harrisburg on May 5th and Asbury Park on May 7th.