Rule The World (Vinyl)

Liverpool’s hard-hitting slaves to truth and beats that bounce in rhythm to both the good times and the bad, RATS. Fearless, occasionally fierce and frequently tender, the rousing rabble come together to create Rule The World. Cheerfully claiming a sense of early prominence as their breakthrough single Patsy Decline, in 2021, drew curious audiences to their lively live shows, the band’s upfront and upbeat mix of unflinching lyrical honesty and crossover rock, R’n’B and ska soundtracks modern, inner city Britain. With frontman and lyricist, Joe Maddocks picking up quick comparisons to Jamie T and The Streets’ Mike Skinner and the band grabbing an early, life-affirming slot to support Liam Gallagher at his Royal Albert Hall show in 2022, the winding path to a full album has been patiently navigated. Taking over two years to properly commit the fun and fury of their fizzing live shows to tape, RATS returned late last year with notorious live favourite, Section 60, to coincide with another run of sold out UK-wide live dates. “It’s a mix of our individual characters coming together,” says drummer, Alan Phillips. “You’ve got the Lowell’s dub and ska, you’ve got Joe’s sharp, almost hip-hop lyrics, then there’s Mikey and Chris with their infectious, indie-ish guitar riffs. It’s a mixture of all kinds of different tunes within us.”