Photo by Alexa Viscius

“The Window” defines the purpose of a centerpiece and title track as the latest preview from Ratboys’ new album of the same name. Since beginning their rollout of their fifth studio effort, the Chicago indie rock quartet have leveled up in all regards to concision, performance, and Julie Steiner’s descript allusions. The pain and pane of “The Window” hears emotions wrought in arguably their most truest to life – and death – form. Many of the words here were culled from the final moments her grandfather spoke to her grandmother before her passing, albeit, through an open window in her nursing home room due to pandemic COVID restrictions. “So take this part of me / Carry it with you / Wherever it leads / Don’t be scared,” Steiner sings, acoustic and twang swelling into a countryside field of electricity built around memory and her voice being just the right warm comfort of lilted melancholia for these kind of really hard moments.” Sue, you’ll always be my girl.” If there were ever a love story to aspire to, Ratboys have given us a real one to feel, even when you close your eyes.

Directed by: John TerEick

Ratboys’ The Window will be released August 25th on Topshelf Records.