Karly Hartzman's Rat Saw God is ranked as the #11 album on Rough Trade's Albums of the Year 2023 list in the UK. This album is like a quilt, a collection of short stories that come together to form a cohesive whole.

Karly Hartzman, the songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist of the Asheville quintet, is a storyteller and a collector of stories. The album is ekphrastic yet autobiographical, showcasing deep empathy.

Throughout the ten tracks on Rat Saw God, Hartzman and her bandmates create a shrine to the minutiae of life. The music blends elements of Nineties shoegaze with classic country twang, featuring distorted lap steel and Hartzman's distinctive voice.

The songs transport listeners to North Carolina, capturing moments like riding a bike through a suburban neighborhood or experiencing the sounds of a high school football game. Rat Saw God is a reflection of everyday life, filled with blurry, chaotic, and strange moments.

Hartzman believes that everyone's story is worth telling, making each life story fascinating. The album doesn't require an understanding of all the references to resonate with listeners; it's about the specific emotions that a song can evoke.

Ultimately, Rat Saw God and all of Karly Hartzman's music encapsulate the essence of capturing tiny moments and turning them into something meaningful, whether it's in a song, an album, or in a person.