Happy Birthday, Ratboy

Happy Birthday, Ratboy is a 2021 studio album by American indie rock band Ratboys. The surprise album is a re-recording of the band's earliest material and has received positive reviews from critics.

Reception
Editors at Pitchfork Media scored this release 7.2 out of 10 and critic Pete Tosiello stated that this album contrasts "cozy nostalgia with hard-rocking instincts", with a more "somber and reflective" tone than 2020's Printer's Devil. Mark Moody of Under the Radar scored this album a 7 out of 10, stating that "the addition of a permanent rhythm section in Marcus Nuccio (drums) and Sean Neumann (bass), the decade old songs are brought to fuller frame" and praised several tracks, noting album closer "Go Outside" as a highlight. "Go Outside" was also recognized as one of the best songs of the week at Paste, where Carli Scolforo considered the title good advice to listeners during the COVID-19 pandemic which also marked a change in the band's sound to a country music influence and the album release was included on a short list of best albums of the week as well.

Track listing

 * 1) "The Stanza" – 3:29
 * 2) "Down the River" – 2:34
 * 3) "Intense Judgment" – 5:04
 * 4) "Key" – 3:37
 * 5) "At 39 Is Annie the Oldest Cat?" – 4:17
 * 6) "Space Blows" – 1:46
 * 7) "Collected" – 4:16
 * 8) "Cacao to Cacao" – 2:17
 * 9) "Have a Heart" – 3:36
 * 10) "88 Fingers Edward" – 3:46
 * 11) "Go Outside" – 2:49

Personnel
Ratboys
 * Sean Neumann – bass guitar, production
 * Marcus Nuccio – drums, percussion, production
 * David Sagan – guitar, pocket piano, ukulele, lap steel guitar, production
 * Julia Steiner – vocals, guitar, production

Additional personnel
 * Jason Cupp – mixing
 * Johnny Fabrizio – photography
 * Lizzy Jordan – cello on "Have a Heart"
 * Mallory Linehan – violin on "Have a Heart"
 * Evan Loritsch – Rhodes piano on "Key"
 * Pat Lyons – pedal steel guitar on "Go Outside"
 * Sam Porter – photography
 * Kim Rosen – audio mastering