Generationals is an indie pop band that emerged from New Orleans, Louisiana, captivating audiences with their catchy melodies, vibrant harmonies, and infectious energy. Comprised of Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer, the duo has established a reputation for crafting irresistible pop gems that seamlessly blend elements of indie rock, synth-pop and retro influences. With their distinctive vocal harmonies and polished production, Generationals have created a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh, evoking a sense of timeless joy. Their music often explores themes of love, self-reflection, and the complexities of modern life, delivering introspective lyrics against a backdrop of shimmering guitars and pulsating rhythms. Generationals’ ability to create earworm melodies and their penchant for crafting effortlessly cool pop songs have earned them a devoted fan base and critical acclaim within the indie music scene. The duo is back with their new album Heatherhead, their first collection of new music since 2019’s Reader as Detective.
From the first beat of “Waking Moment,” it’s evident that Heatherhead is going to be a joyful, pop-filled album. Vibrant layers of electronica, synths and bright vocal harmonies blend to create a track that makes you want to tap your foot or nod your head along with the beat. Bright guitar riffs start off “Dirt Diamond” before being joined by funky bass notes making the track feel like a mash up of modern electo-pop, 70’s funk and Big Star. “Eutropious (Give Me Lies) has a straightforward beat, horns and hand claps that harken back to Motown and is a lot of fun. On “Radar Man,” Generationals channel their 80’s forebearers like Joy Division and Depeche Mode with darker bass tracks and synths. This energy carries into tracks like “Hard Times for Heatherhead” and “Elena,” the later features artist Sarah Jaffe on vocals. The more modern sounding tracks like “Dizzyland” and “Faster Than a Fever” bring to mind more modern comparisons like MGMT and Passion Pit with it more minimal instrumentation rather than the “wall of sound” that is on many other tracks.
Ultimately, Generationals have created a solid album with Heatherhead. It’s combination of both modern and past influences come together to create a unique blend that will please fans of electo-pop of any era. The harmonies that Joyner and Widmer bring to each track are pleasant to listen to and each track has a totally different feel.
