RAT BOY

Rat Boy is the project of Essex native Jordan Cardy. After a few unsuccessful attempts at putting a pop-punk band together in his hometown of Chelmsford, Cardy turned himself into a one-man band, recording a shambling 23-minute mixtape that blended punk guitars and noisy samples with hip-hop, reggae, and plenty of cheeky attitude. Taking inspiration from artists like Jamie T., Blur, and the Streets, whose landmark 2002 debut, Original Pirate Material, was a favorite in the Cardy household, the young artist branded himself Rat Boy after his unflattering schoolyard nickname and,...