rat boy makes some noise with single 'money on dust'
By Amy Tang
Going by the stage name RAT BOY, 24-year-old Jordan Cardy is not to be confused with American indie band Ratboys, as he has made quite a name for himself in the U.K. From producing his own works on Soundcloud in his bedroom to being sampled on Kendrick Lamar’s “Lust” in his 2017 album DAMN, Cardy is not to be underestimated. Stemming from a mix of genres indie rock and hip hop, the young artist is most noted for his noisy spunk and DIY approach to the music scene. On February 28, Cardy teased listeners with a new release, “MONEY ON DUST,” following the success of albums INTERNATIONALLY UNKNOWN and SCUM. However, his latest single clearly deviates from the usual hard grunge found in the singer’s previous records.
Swinging into the realm of pop, “MONEY ON DUST” is playful and upbeat. Paired with some groovy guitar chords and a catchy chorus, it’s nearly impossible to not move along to the energetic tune. Despite his sudden change in musical style, it wouldn’t be a RAT BOY song without Cardy’s emotionally charged lyrics. He vents about going through a breakup, singing, “But now I'm staring to my ashtray / Because if distance make the heart grow fonder, you must be a year away.” His angsty tone resonates in each verse, further fueling the firey feel of the song.
While this single is unfamiliar to Cardy’s typical sound, he has no trouble making each track his own personal venture. “MONEY ON DUST” serves as a step into a new direction for RAT BOY, leaving fans, and listeners including myself, curious about what’s to come next.