Ratboy’s Printer’s Devil was just released Feb 28, and made yet another splash in the Chicago alt-pop community. Sounding very reminiscent of their neighbor Beach Bunny, Ratboy found a way to combine the whispy sounding voice of frontwoman Julia Steiner with grungy, stripped-down alternative tracks.
There’s so many sounds that go into this album, it’s hard to put Printer’s Devil in a box. Aspects of indie, alternative pop, rock, and even underlying folk all create a unique combination that lets Ratboys stand out from the rest.
This record was actually recorded in the family home of Steiner immediately after her family sold it, which adds to the themes of reminiscing on childhood. The first line of “Look To” gives us a glimpse into Steiner;s last few opportunities to play back memories in her childhood home, “When I was a little tyke / Bombing hills in the summertime / I felt the sun”. The tumbling of chords at the end set this track apart, and make it easily the best song on the album.
Ratboys immediately slow the pace with “A Vision,” which can only be described as the feeling of moodiness while navigating life in a normal sequence. No need to be sad for long; “A Vision” is followed by upbeat tracks “Anj” and “I Go Out at Night.”
The rest of the record is more feel good grungy pop, just alternative enough to diversify your playlist but not dark enough to cloud your day. Steiner does a great job of adding her own light sounding vocals with occasional heavy chords.
Printer’s Devil is another record to add to the growing collection of recent alt-pop albums lead by female frontwomen. The touch of delicate femininity on a rock track is something unique I’m hoping to hear more of. Printer’s Devil is streaming on all platforms.
Rating: 7/10
Key Songs: Alien With A Mask On, Look To, and Clever Hans
