‘Rat Level’ by Local Phonies

Seattle and Boston-based indie rock duo Local Phonies are back with ‘Rat Level’, the first single from their upcoming album Static Prismatic. Known for their ability to seamlessly blend genres, the band’s latest track brings an urgent, gritty energy that captures the existential anxiety of modern life. Built on a raw, acoustic demo sparked by the line, “I get the Sunday scaries every day of the week,” ‘Rat Level’ explore the feeling of being trapped in the cycle of contemporary adulthood—endlessly striving in a world where everyone’s competing for the same thing.

The song’s layered electric guitars mirror the tension and unease inherent in its lyrics. It’s a punchy, DIY anthem that feels unpretentious yet deeply relatable, capturing the frustration of a generation grappling with the expectations of adulthood. “What the hell was adulthood supposed to be for our generation?” the duo asks, perfectly summing up the track’s mood of confused optimism.

While the track has shades of early We Are Scientists and the unhurried cool of MJ Lenderman, it stands out with a style that is unmistakably Local Phonies. This marks the band’s third album and a natural evolution of their sound, blending Americana, psych rock, and electronica into a cohesive and distinctly modern indie rock vision. Static Prismatic promises to push boundaries while staying rooted in the duo’s signature blend of art rock and postmodern folk; ‘Rat Level’ is just a taste of what’s to come.