RAT BOY Unleash Punk Frustration on ‘Sick Of It’

Rat Boy channel frustration into a blast of punk energy on their latest single, ‘Sick Of It’, the newest preview of their forthcoming album “CRASH!”, due out on June 26 via Hellcat Records. Accompanied by visuals that see the band tearing through the streets of London and skating in front of Buckingham Palace, the track captures the restless spirit that has become one of their defining traits.

Driven by sharp guitar riffs, punchy drums, and instantly memorable hooks, ‘Sick Of It’ tackles the repetitive routines and financial pressures that shape everyday life. Frontman Jordan Cardy questions the endless cycle of work, consumption, and digital distraction, confronting the uneasy feeling of moving through life on autopilot rather than truly experiencing it.

According to Cardy, the song emerged from a period of reflection at the end of 2024. Its lyrics explore the frustration of working constantly while feeling unable to progress, save money, or make meaningful plans for the future. Rather than offering easy answers, the track channels that anxiety into something urgent, loud, and undeniably cathartic.

The new single arrives ahead of “CRASH!”, an ambitious 18-track project created in collaboration with legendary Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong. The album sees Rat Boy continue the stylistic evolution that has defined releases such as “Internationally Unknown” and “Suburbia Calling”, combining their indie-rock foundations with the ska-punk and two-tone influences that have increasingly shaped their sound.

The recording process was anything but conventional. The band transformed singer-songwriter Suzi Quatro’s garden into a temporary studio, working from a pair of makeshift sheds while embracing an intentionally raw, DIY approach. With minimal separation between instruments and little concern for technical perfection, the sessions prioritized energy and spontaneity over studio polish.

Cardy has described the setup as chaotic but liberating. The lack of soundproofing allowed the drums to sound remarkably alive, while the band relied largely on instinct and chemistry rather than pristine monitoring systems. The result is a record that captures the feeling of a live performance rather than a carefully assembled studio production.

That live energy sits at the heart of “CRASH!”. Inspired by years spent touring across Europe, the album reflects the intensity of packed venues, sweat-soaked crowds, and the communal spirit that first drew the band to punk music. Songs such as ‘Make Me Stay’ and ‘No Stars’ channel the raw immediacy of mid-1990s alternative music, balancing infectious melodies with a rebellious edge.

The project’s visual identity follows the same philosophy. Rejecting heavily digital processes, Cardy approached the artwork with a focus on physical techniques and traditional methods. Much like the music itself, the imagery favors imperfection, texture, and authenticity, reinforcing the sense that “CRASH!” is less about refinement and more about capturing a moment exactly as it happened.

With ‘Sick Of It’, Rat Boy offer a powerful glimpse into an album that embraces frustration, freedom, and the thrill of making noise. If the single is any indication, “CRASH!” promises to be one of the band’s most direct and energetic releases to date.

And if you want to see what that sounds like in the flesh, you’re in luck: Rat Boy are coming to Romania for the first time, playing Rock la Mures on July 11.