"SCUM" - RAT BOY
Rachael Anderson
The long awaited debut album from Jordan Cardy, Liam Haygarth, Harry Todd and Noah Booth, together known as RAT BOY, arrived carrying with it much hype and anticipation. SCUM was released on 11th August 2017 following the many pre-released singles such as old favourites like ‘Move’ and ‘Fake ID’ as well the later released ‘Laidback’ and ‘Revolution’.
On the deluxe version of the album included are interludes which makes the listening process seem like you are tuned in to a radio station from the fifties as the commentary gives information about the tracks in a humorous and genius way.
The impressive supporting art that RAT BOY have created for ‘Scum’ is genius, from the music videos to the album promo. Everything tells a story. As Cardy explained during an interview with NME, “As the interludes link with the songs, the music videos all connect and as does the art work.” The thought process for this album is impeccable, it’s true what they say, hard work pays off.
The album includes multiple pre-released songs such as ‘Revolution’, ‘Laidback’, ‘Move’, ‘Fake ID’, ‘Get Over It’ ‘Left 4 Dead’ and ‘Sign On’. Which I am more than happy about as before the release of the album I already really loved these songs, individually each of them again tells a different story. RAT BOY clearly picked out the right singles to give a taster to what ‘Scum’ is about. I love the indie rock feel in ‘Laidback’ as it contrasts really well alongside the hiphop sounds possessed by ‘Move’. It shows just how RAT BOY are capable of pulling off near anything… even wearing Versace in a scheme.
The tracks that weren’t released beforehand such as ‘Boiling Point’, ‘Scum’, and ‘Kicked Outta School’ amongst others are all absolute hiphop, indie, alternative brilliance. The song ‘Boiling Point’ really speaks up for the youth of our generation and people who truly just despise the Conservative Party. This needs to be spoken about as it gives young people the confidence to have a political view and discuss what needs to be spoke about. The tender beautiful song ‘I’ll Be Waiting’, is something that wouldn’t go amiss at a fan’s wedding. It’s the least RAT BOY esque song on the album and it’s quite soft sounding compared to the other tracks it stands beside.
Of course as well as the interludes on the deluxe version it does include a few extra singles such as ‘Everyday’ and ‘Sad Sad’ featuring Mallroy Merk. Both of which are fantastic electronic hiphop tracks.
SCUM is a brilliant album, created with loads of meaning and hard work showing RAT BOY’s art in it’s truest form.
RAT BOY play “Queens Hall Edinburgh” on Sunday 11th November 2018.
