Liverpool’s Rats, a rapidly growing success story on the live circuit. From headlining This Feeling’s 13th birthday last October and selling out a massive hometown date at Invisible Wind Factory last month, they’re becoming an unstoppable force.
At the end of Feb, they returned with their latest single ‘Dreams’. Sonically, their most gentle number to date but, no less impacting. Visions of academy venues, arm in arm, at the end of night sing this loud and proud are well within reason.
Joe Maddock’s vocals have hit an adorable vein of form here. Although delicate and seemingly floating away aimlessly, they contain a working class warmth and, an endearing humbleness.
Their previous singles, have demonstrated devilment, protest, and righteous polemic. Now, Rats are striking way beyond that. Offering up a potential sound of the summer, alongside fragile characters is elite level juxtaposition.
They are not to be missed at This Feeling’s Re-Wired festival this April.
*Image courtesy of Chris Driver