In “Ratbag Joy,” The New Citizen Kane delivers a high-energy, feel-good dance track that hides a haunting emotional weight just beneath its bright surface. With sonic influences rooted in club euphoria and lyrics steeped in personal unrest, this track stands as a paradox in motion — a living, pulsing contradiction that demands more than just passive listening.
Fresh off the back of the success of his UK Commercial Club Chart Top 10 single “Lump In Your Throat,” Kane returns with what might be his most ambitious and layered release yet. “Ratbag Joy” is not just a single — it’s an experience, a musical sleight-of-hand trick that lifts you up with one hand while subtly dragging you through the emotional mud with the other.
On the surface, “Ratbag Joy” sounds like a dancefloor banger — upbeat, synth-rich, and ready to soundtrack a sun-drenched festival set. But listen closer, and the mask starts to slip. The lyrics speak of inner emptiness, of sins driven high through “low town drives,” of white dust dreams and cheap thrills that offer temporary relief at best.
The chorus — “escaping life” — isn’t a celebration. It’s a surrender. But the music around it is relentlessly cheerful, loaded with upbeat percussion and layered textures that practically beg you to move. That’s where the genius of this track lies: it is the mask. The music embodies denial, acting as the upbeat costume the protagonist wears to hide inner chaos. It’s rare to hear such intentional, well-executed contrast — and even rarer in club-ready dance music.
The song’s self-directed music video, shot in Hackney, amplifies this duality. Featuring a diverse array of dancers — from street stylists to a ballerina — it explodes with chaotic edits and glitchy visuals, mirroring the emotional disorder simmering under the track’s glossy surface.
The video’s frantic energy doesn’t just match the music — it enhances the narrative. It feels like a window into a restless mind, where joy is performative and pain is repressed, only showing up in brief flickers through the cracks of digital overload.
“Ratbag Joy” is the second single from Kane’s upcoming multi-sensory album “Psychedelika,” and it sets a high bar for what’s to come. While his previous releases hinted at his capacity for layered storytelling, this single cements his voice in a unique space where dance music meets emotional intelligence.
And Kane isn’t resting on his laurels. The upcoming club remixes, due July 18, will bring new perspectives on the track, with LOVE FOUNDATION (UK), Ruff Loaderz, and Red Man Runs all taking the reins. If the original is the stormy mind behind the smile, one can only imagine what textures and tensions these remixes will unlock.
What makes The New Citizen Kane stand out isn’t just the sonic polish or the club-readiness of his music. It’s his commitment to telling emotional truths, even when they’re uncomfortable, wrapped in danceable beats. There’s a boldness to it — a refusal to dumb things down for easy playlists or superficial viral hits.
He’s creating music that moves both body and mind, without compromising either. And more importantly, he’s doing it with a distinct sense of self-assurance and direction. “Ratbag Joy” is not just a song — it’s a chapter in an evolving story, a breadcrumb on a path Kane is carving himself. He’s not mimicking trends; he’s setting his own pace.
“Ratbag Joy” is a masterclass in musical and emotional juxtaposition. It proves that club music doesn’t have to be shallow, and that joy doesn’t always mean happiness. Sometimes, it’s a mask — and Kane’s not afraid to rip it off and show us what’s underneath.
As anticipation builds for “Psychedelika”, this track serves as both a teaser and a bold artistic statement. The New Citizen Kane isn’t just building an album — he’s building a world. One that’s chaotic, complex, and deeply human.
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