With their latest single, “Gay Song,” Melbourne indie duo Ratfink! take a giant leap forward—not just musically, but emotionally. Where their earlier material played with mellow dream pop aesthetics (as heard on their previous single “About Ya”), “Gay Song” dives deeper into vulnerability, identity, and truth. It’s the most personal and poignant Ratfink! release to date, and one that firmly establishes them as a voice worth listening to in Australia’s DIY indie scene.
At its core, “Gay Song” is a coming out story—but not one wrapped in rainbow gloss or cinematic triumph. Instead, Ratfink! (made up of Liv and Raph, two high school friends turned creative housemates in Brunswick) offer something more fragile and, ultimately, more powerful: a story of growing up gay in a conservative place, told with tenderness, longing, and aching honesty.
The track opens sparsely—gentle acoustic strumming, whispered vocals, and a sense of quiet intimacy—as if the listener has just stumbled into someone’s diary. But what unfolds isn’t self-pity or performative vulnerability. It’s a beautifully restrained expression of truth, crafted with care and maturity.
Lines aren’t shouted—they’re shared.
While still rooted in indie folk, “Gay Song” expands Ratfink!’s sound beyond the dream pop textures of “About Ya.”Here, the production feels lived-in and minimal, almost lo-fi at times, yet incredibly intentional. There’s a slow build that feels like a deep breath being held. Subtle layering—perhaps a distant synth or harmonized backing vocal—creeps in gently, giving the song texture without ever overwhelming the story being told.
This raw, DIY feel suits the subject matter. It strips away any performative polish and invites us into the room where it was made. There’s beauty in the imperfection, in the vulnerability of the voice cracking or a guitar string buzzing ever so slightly.
It’s not trying to be radio-ready. It’s trying to be real. And that makes it hit harder than most “big” songs ever could.
Coming out stories are deeply personal, and not always safe to share—especially for those raised in conservative environments where queerness is still misunderstood, repressed, or vilified. What Ratfink! have done with “Gay Song” is both brave and generous: they’ve taken a painful experience and turned it into art that others can find shelter in.
In doing so, they offer solidarity to listeners who might be living that very experience right now—those sitting in quiet bedrooms, headphones on, wondering if anyone else has ever felt the same.
It’s not just a song. It’s a small act of defiance wrapped in empathy.
“Gay Song” is the second single from Ratfink!’s upcoming record WHEN U WERE MINE, and if this track is any indication, the full album could be something truly special. There’s a clear evolution happening—emotionally richer songwriting, stronger storytelling, and a growing confidence in just being who they are.
Where many bands chase trends or personas, Ratfink! are doing the opposite: they’re becoming more themselves. And that authenticity is their greatest strength.
“Gay Song” isn’t loud. It doesn’t demand attention. But it deserves it. It’s the kind of track that sneaks up on you, stays with you, and leaves you a little more open than you were before.
In a world that often shouts, Ratfink! whisper—and somehow say more.
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