Ratboys Expand 'Singin' To An Empty Chair' With Deluxe
Ratboys will release a deluxe version of their 2026 album 'Singin' To An Empty Chair' next week, featuring covers by PUP, Wild Pink, and other artists
Ratboys will release a deluxe edition of their 2026 album 'Singin' To An Empty Chair' on September 18. The expanded version features covers of album tracks by five other bands and includes a new cover performed by Ratboys themselves.
According to the band's Julia Steiner, their cover of the Marked Men's "Fix My Brain" originated from a personal obsession. She told Stereogum the song was a revelation. "I hyper-fixated on the song in ways that are pretty rare for me these days," Steiner said. The band recorded their version for a SiriusXM session earlier this year.
New Collaborations and Covers
The deluxe album includes five reinterpretations of songs from 'Singin' To An Empty Chair' by fellow artists. Each contributing band has put its own spin on a track from the original record.
The full tracklist for the deluxe edition is as follows:
| Track Number | Song Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | "Open Up" | Ratboys |
| 02 | "Know You Then" | Ratboys |
| 03 | "Light Night Mountains All That" | Ratboys |
| 04 | "Anywhere" | Ratboys |
| 05 | "Penny In The Lake" | Ratboys |
| 06 | "Strange Love" | Ratboys |
| 07 | "The World, So Madly" | Ratboys |
| 08 | "Just Want You To Know The Truth" | Ratboys |
| 09 | "What's Right?" | Ratboys |
| 10 | "Burn It Down" | Ratboys |
| 11 | "At Peace In The Hundred Acre Wood" | Ratboys |
| 12 | "Fix My Brain (SiriusXM Session)" | Ratboys |
| 13 | "Know You Then" | PUP |
| 14 | "Light Night Mountains All That" | Ducks Ltd. |
| 15 | "Anywhere" | Bad Bad Hats |
| 16 | "Strange Love" | Wild Pink |
| 17 | "What's Right?" | Free Range |
Inspiration Behind the Marked Men Cover
Steiner elaborated on the connection to the Marked Men, crediting bandmate Marcus with being a long-time fan. For her, discovering "Fix My Brain" was a powerful experience. She found the song's message about admitting mistakes profoundly sincere. Steiner described that sincerity as "badass" and catchy, noting it aligns with what Ratboys aims for in their own music.
NPR Tiny Desk Concert Release
In related news, Ratboys' NPR Tiny Desk concert was released on the same day as the deluxe edition announcement. The session features three songs: the epic "Black Earth, WI" from their 2023 album 'The Window,' plus 'Singin' To An Empty Chair' tracks "Penny In The Lake" and "What's Right?"
The deluxe edition of 'Singin' To An Empty Chair' is set for release on the New West label. Pre-orders are currently available.
