Happy Birthday, Ratboy

Editors at Pitchfork 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.^[1] 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.^[3] "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^[4] and the album release was included on a short list of best albums of the week as well.^[5]

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

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

• 2021 in American music
• List of 2021 albums