Delivering an exciting mixture of hazy jangle-pop charm and ardent rock invigoration, “Rats” is the debut single from January Sixteen. The Scotland-based quartet describe the effort as “about coming to a point in your life you’re questioning your choices and where you’ve ended up.” The band arose following a New Years resolution last year from a band member, aspiring to write more songs. “Rats” followed by the year’s end, drawing on a range of influences, from My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain to Bob Dylan and Future Islands.
“Rats” kicks off swiftly into rock-forward guitar charisma, feeling initially relentless in its energetic lead and rhythm guitars. A gentler, jangly charm envelops as the vocals first emerge. The chorus re-injects the initial guitar-driven energy, reminding of fellow Scottish act Teenage Fanclub in their cohesive integration of jangly endearment and heavier rock pulses. “Find myself looking in the mirror, feeling lost when the picture’s clearer,” the vocals let out during the chorus, representing one of several catching moments throughout this delectable track.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Best of February 2023’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup. The submitter accepted our content-based offer, which included financial compensation for our time writing, editing, and publishing this article.
