In the vibrant indie scene of Melbourne, Ratfink! emerges not just as a musical duo, but as a force of emotional honesty and creative intimacy. Comprised of longtime friends Liv and Raph, Ratfink! crafts DIY pop songs that feel both raw and deliberate—music that dares to speak the unspeakable. Their latest single, “Gay Song,” the second track released from their upcoming album WHEN U WERE MINE, is more than just a melody—it’s a confession, a memory, and a moment of truth wrapped in shimmering chords and vulnerable vocals.
The song began with a simple, powerful request: Liv asked Raph to write about her experience growing up gay in a conservative environment. That ask wasn’t about writing a catchy tune—it was about translating years of silence, fear, resilience, and quiet pride into something that could be heard. What came from that was not a story exaggerated for effect or softened for comfort, but a song that tells it exactly how it was: unfiltered, personal, and real.
“Gay Song” opens with melancholic minor chords on guitar, setting the tone for a deeply emotional piece. The opening riff soon becomes the song’s central hook, echoing like a thought you can’t shake, a memory too heavy to forget. It feels less like a composition and more like a diary entry set to music. Each note is careful, but none are afraid to ache.
It also marks a turning point in the duo’s journey: for the first time, Liv takes the lead vocal role on a Ratfink! track. Her voice carries the emotional weight of the story with breathtaking honesty. It’s soft in places, cracking in others—not because of lack of control, but because the truth is never sung cleanly. You can hear her past, her heartbreak, her quiet defiance, and her strength—woven into every line.
Musically, the song gently drifts into indie folk territory, expanding Ratfink!’s sound while keeping their lo-fi roots intact. There’s a gentle restraint in the production, allowing the emotion to breathe, never pushing too far, never overwhelming the story. It’s a perfect example of how less can be so much more when the feeling is real.
What’s most surprising is how quickly the song came together. Sometimes the most powerful art doesn’t require months of planning—it just needs an open heart and a moment of clarity. “Gay Song” is a result of one of those moments. It wasn’t forced; it simply had to exist.
But “Gay Song” is more than music. It’s a mirror for those who’ve ever felt like they didn’t belong. It’s a lifeline for anyone who grew up hiding part of who they were. It doesn’t preach or demand attention—it simply offers a quiet, steady kind of recognition: you are not alone. It’s a song that holds space.
The album, WHEN U WERE MINE, will feature both Liv and Raph sharing vocal duties across all tracks, but this song marks a distinct emotional milestone. If this single is any indication, the rest of the album will be just as brave, just as sincere, and just as beautifully unpolished.
There’s something magnetic about the way Liv and Raph work together. Their friendship, forged in high school and strengthened through music, translates into a deep creative trust. That bond allows them to explore heavy emotional terrain without losing their footing. The result is a project that feels more like a lived experience than a studio product.
This is not a loud song. It doesn’t scream to be heard. But in its quietude, it carries immense weight. It’s a protest whispered through trembling lips, a song that doesn't ask for understanding—it offers it. And that might just be what makes it so unforgettable.
“Gay Song” is only the beginning. Ratfink! is clearly stepping into a space of greater vulnerability, greater clarity, and greater purpose. Their music isn’t just about sound—it’s about connection. And when that connection is built on truth, it can reach farther than any algorithm ever could.
This isn’t just a song about being gay. It’s a song about being yourself, despite the world trying to convince you otherwise. It’s about holding onto your voice when everyone else wants you to stay silent. It’s a song for anyone who’s ever felt unseen. And in that way, it becomes a song for all of us.
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