Australian DIY project Ratfink! is back with ‘Graze On You’, a charmingly stripped-back number that stays true to the laidback, lo-fi style we’ve already come to know and love. Following on from the last album, WHEN U WERE MINE, which we featured in an On The Record interview, this new release marks the next chapter for musician and self-proclaimed dreamer Raph.
Recorded in a Melbourne/Naarm shared house, ‘Graze On You’ is purposefully minimalist, bringing together a warbling guitar and paced percussion. Atop this relaxed soundscape, Raph and his friend and close collaborator Liv exchange lyrics in each of their own unique approaches. There’s something of an ’80s slow-tempo ballad to this track, like really paired-down ToTo, which is made possible with the bedroom producer’s light, modernist and warm touch.
At the core of this song is the affectionate refrain, “with that smile, you know I could spend a while, I wanna graze on your sense of style,” which itself is a direct confession of love without any of the frills. Ultimately, it’s about eschewing those grand gestures or mind games in favour of sincerity, which is a mature mindset not always celebrated in indie-pop music.
‘Graze On You’ is all about a timelessness and simplicity that further cements our adoration for this project. It’s just as well that there’s another album, titled Ratfunnk, is on its way, as we’ll be waiting for our next Ratfink! fix.
You can also find ‘Graze on You’ in our Outsiders Club playlist.
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