Heatherhead
Polyvinyl, 2023
9/10
It’s been 4 years since the indie-pop heroes Generationals (i.e. Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer) penned an album, and this 6th LP is their best to date and fits like the musical version of a cozy sweater.
“Waking Moment” gets the listen off to a crisp and soulful start, where plenty of frisky fun and bouncing bass lines are appreciated, and “Dirt Diamond” follows with a warm melody and smooth singing guiding the bright pop influences.
“Eutropius (Give Me Lies)” lands in the middle and is a busy and richly textured moment of animated drumming and falsetto singing that flirts with funk, while “Elena” recruits Sarah Jaffe’s breathy voice for the buzzing synth and a mysterious climate.
Closer to the end, the post-punk nods of “Hard Times For Heatherhead” leads into a driving pulse that might remind you of New Order, and “Mitsubishi” exits with an upbeat and beat friendly display of stylish and modern electro-pop
The pair actually scrapped an earlier session and restarted with these 11 tracks that capture their hooks, dynamic interplay and plenty of New Orleans influences (the band’s hometown, where Joyner still lives) with an extremely welcoming demeanor that’s quite complicated, but instantly memorable.
Travels well with: Fruit Bats- Gold Past Life; Ages And Ages- Me You They We