Heatherhead

Although their sound hasnt changed significantly since their debut in 2009, Generationals bandmates Grant Widmer and Ted Joyner have found ever more interesting ways to shake up their buoyant indie pop. They released a string of singles compiled as State Dogs: Singles 2017-2018 and even recorded a whole album straight to tape in Athens, Georgia, that they abandoned in 2021. While that latter album may seem like a loss, the process apparently reinvigorated the duos chemistry and informed how they approached their seventh studio album, 2023s Heatherhead. Recorded in part together at singer Widmers Wisconsin home and later remotely via file-sharing with instrumentalist/producer Nick Krill joining in, Heatherhead brings together all of the textural, bubbly 80s-influenced sounds the pair are known for. The album kicks off with the sparkling, fuzz-tone 60s Motown of "Waking Moment" before transitioning into the summery "Dirt Diamond," a hooky anthem whose Ray Bans and tropical drink atmosphere nicely set the tone for what is to come. From there, they dive into and conjure a blissful 70s horn-driven soul and soft-pop vibe on "Eutropius (Give Me Lies)." Equally evocative moments pop up throughout, including the driving, New Order-esque post-punk of "Hard Times for Heatherhead" and the synthy, slow-burn goth ballad "Elena," a hypnotic collaboration with singer Sarah Jaffe. Those tracks, as with much of Heatherhead, feel amazingly like they could have been culled from an 80s John Hughes film soundtrack. ~ Matt Collar