Ratfink! go all-in on new album 'When U Were Mine'

Ratfink!'s 'When You Were Mine' explodes out of the speakers with the kind of reckless joy that reminds you why DIY pop exists in the first place. This is music that is loud when it wants to be, tender when it needs to be, and completely unconcerned with sanding down its rough edges.

From the opening moments of 'Won't Wait Forever', the record crackles with life. Guitars lurch and sparkle, rhythms wobble just enough to feel dangerous, and melodies latch on fast and refuse to let go. There’s a raw, bedroom-born electricity running through the whole thing, the sense that these songs were captured exactly when they needed to be.

But what really elevates 'When U Were Mine' is the emotional openness at its core. Ratfink! sing about love, friendship, identity, and the chaos of figuring yourself out with a disarming honesty that never feels performative. The vocals bounce between voices like a conversation carried late into the night, full of jokes, confessions, and moments of quiet sincerity. It’s playful and vulnerable in equal measure, a balance that’s harder to strike than it sounds.

The album shape-shifts constantly, jumping from scrappy rock energy to softer, dreamier corners without losing momentum. Each turn feels natural, guided by curiosity rather than rules. Even at its messiest, the record radiates the kind of warmth that comes from trust, shared history, and making something together just because it feels good to do so.

'When U Were Mine' is the sound of two people saying yes to every idea, every feeling, every imperfect take, and being absolutely right to do so. It’s alive, heartfelt, and impossible not to root for. Turn it up, let it wobble, and enjoy the rush.