The Denver-based band ratstallion remains somewhat of an enigma to me. There’s not much about them online besides the interview we proudly conducted with the members last year. This—I choose to believe—intentional aspect of the band allows us to focus way more on what would be their vibe, aspect, and sound and how these variables come together to create a cohesive experience. I am of the opinion that with their first EP, Sisyphus Happy, they have nailed said vibe. It’s music that sounds the way it looks. Let me elaborate.

The eponymous opening track eases us in with a soft but persistent guitar and fast-paced beats that accompanies these soft and echoey vocals. The song possesses a dreamy distortion that will be persistent throughout the entire EP, reminiscent of the sound of works by Slowdive, Evanescence and even early Paramore. Suddenly, in the last third of the track, the vocals turn into screams, leaning towards the metal side of things. This sudden switch-up comes out of nowhere and offers a refreshing contrast to the rather well-known sound that the band was building. Even though the vocals are pushed into a noisier realm, the instrumentals remain consistent, enhancing the contrast.

The next two songs, “7th” and “Termite”—the first one working as a segue to the latter—carry on the previously mentioned musical aspects. These tracks are intense and fast, prioritizing the metal tints of the band and displaying a surprising vocal range that can change in a split second.

I’d like to briefly highlight the visuals—both of the cover itself and the backgrounds of the songs—as they all feel intense, distorted, moody, and flashy. Kind of over-the-top and overly dramatic (in a good way), tapping into the early 2000s teen sensibilities of a lot of us. Even though music should always work on its own, these visuals are an amazing addition to the experience, adding a new sensory layer to what we’re listening and beautifully representing the aesthetic that the band is going for.

The track “Pit” has a different type of distortion in the instrumentals—much more dirty and grunge-ish. The metal vocals on top of these instrumentals create a Deftones-worthy track that won’t stop to let you breathe. A much cleaner guitar cuts through the noise for a pretty fun solo that wraps up the song nicely.

Finally, the EP closes with the song “Eye”, that also happens to be their biggest hit—rightfully so. If I had to define ratstallion in one song, it’d be this one. It has various different sections where the soft vocals create tension with the hard instrumentals and vice versa. This musical project feels very controlled and calculated. They are following a structure and playing with it in interesting ways. Specifically with this track, I consider everything comes together nicely. It’s smooth. It flows.

ratstallion has released a promising debut EP after an equally strong line-up of singles. They know how to bring back a beloved sound and experiment with it. I, for one, am excited to see what they’ll do in the future, and I hope they’ll keep pushing and searching within this vibe. Sisyphus Happy is an EP with identity that knows its audience. Confident, dreamy and visceral—it’s worth a listen.

You can find ratstallion’s new EP Sisyphus Happy on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music. You can also connect with the band and follow them closely through their Instagram.