ratbag seems to have been a project based in cathartic fantasy well before she released her debut single last summer. The multimedia outlet first gained traction with fantastical illustrations created by the artist and posted to TikTok early in the pandemic, with that same imagery re-emerging last July to accompany a series of loose singles as their album covers. Those tracks culminated in December’s why aren’t you laughing? EP, which saw ratbag adding some structure to the creative world she’s been building over the years between her visual and audio art (her bio on IG aptly reads “this world kinda sucks, so i made my own”).
After a nine-month absence from music, ratbag returned yesterday with a new single called “pinky boy” which tauntingly calls out immature male behavior in relationships. The video takes this idea a step further by setting the upbeat track to what appears to be a day in the life of the titular pinky boy (it’s shot from the perspective of the inside of his mouth, aptly implying that he’s a mouth-breather) from waking up and exhibiting terrible aim while going number one to coming home at the end of a long day of reasonable hostility from various ratbag-played women only to learn that he’s pushed his girlfriend away from heterosexuality completely.
With the idea of fantasy in mind—whether it be doodled figures or giving a pinky boy a good slap at the bar—we had ratbag share a playlist of tracks she relies on to help her drop out of reality, if only for a few minutes at a time. Check out her picks and find the “pinky boy” video below.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Soft Shock”
I first heard this track in my early teens. I was catching the bus in London with my family—my headphones were in and I was oblivious to my surroundings to the point where my arm was being dragged around the place. Sorry mum, but this song had control of me.
Wilco, “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart”
This song is really confident. I take a lot of comfort from the creative commitments made—impeccable lyrics, too. The instrumentation is sparse but not random, and each sound has been carefully curated. I just love this song to pieces.
Fiona Apple, “Ladies”
Fiona’s voice could lure me out of anything. It’s like she’s talking directly to you everytime you listen. I don’t know much about her process of writing and recording, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she recorded in mostly one takes. I mean, how else do you capture such rawness? She rips open your skin and spits words all over your insides. Dramatic but true.
Broken Social Scene, “Lover’s Spit”
This song feels like dragging a heavy rope over your shoulder—you’re heading somewhere, but aren’t told where. The music seems to linger slightly behind the vocals, which makes for a dreary feel which, shameful to admit, I love.
Radiohead, “All I Need”
The last minute of this song is actually crazy. I would commit crimes to hear it for the first time again. It really does send you into a different realm every single time. Thom Yorke, you have my heart.
Hiatus Kaiyote, “The Lung”
I’ve been slow to find this Aussie band, but better late than never. The instrumentation of this song is insane, not to mention Nai [Palm]’s otherworldly voice. The constant switching up of rhythm is what gets me and will always blow the laces off my shoes.
Blood Orange, “Champagne Coast”
One of my favorite artists ever. Blood Orange’s music is that lump at the back of your throat when you’re on the verge of tears—yet their music is somehow so danceable at the same time. Will forever love coastal grooves.
Magdalena Bay, “Death & Romance”
One of my favorite songs of the year, I first heard this unaware that it had just been released and I was convinced it was an old classic. Her voice embodies ’80s dream pop to the point where I don’t even know what decade I’m in.
Karen O & the Kids, “Food Is Still Hot”
This song is from the soundtrack of my favorite movie of all time, Where the Wild Things Are. Karen O wrote it and I didn’t put the pieces together until last year. It’s without a doubt my favorite soundtrack ever—and I’m a pretty big movie soundtrack nerd. The movie is everything, and I mean that very sincerely.
David Bowie, “Life on Mars?”
David Bowie was always on when I was younger. I grew up with Bowie and Talking Heads constantly being fed into my little ears, and I’m so glad. I rediscovered this song in my teens—of course I knew it well, but there was something about listening to it for the first time on my own accord. It’s one of my favorite songs ever, and I’ll most definitely be force-feeding it to my own kids.
