The Head and the Heart- Aperture
Label: Universal
Producers: The Head and the Heart
By the time the 2010s faded, both The Head and the Heart’s artistic and commercial trajectories had reached an interesting intersection. Their once folk-rock cult identity had evolved into a heavier produced sound which merged those roots into a more mainstream rock direction defined by radio hits and crossover appeal. 2019’s Living Mirage, and its hat-trick of hit singles, struck a solid sonic balance that appeased both new fans and the band’s long-time followers. However, 2023’s follow-up, Every Shade of Blue seemed to take that ambition a bit too far, resulting in a heavy-handed effort that was ultimately uneven and their least sustainably resonant studio effort to date. Long-time loyalists were notably left feeling cold and unsure of the band’s direction, while fair-weather listeners of their most recent hits had seemingly moved on to their next new flavor.
Refreshingly, Aperture plays as the re-centering and return-to-form that the band so critically needs at the present moment. Produced solely be members of the band, and fully enveloped in the warm, rootsy trappings of their original folk-rock soundscape, this is indeed a reemergence of the band that core listeners originally fell in love with on their titular bow back in 2011. Some critics may perceive an effort like this as artistic regression, or a lame retreat after a failed bid for more widespread success. Rest assured that despite its restorative, throw-back feeling Aperture and the songs its gathers never once feel like a retread or a sign of creative stagnation for the band.
In fact, the group’s songwriting and topical direction sounds as fresh, crisp, and focused as they have in several albums. The group has always been deeply introspective and observant of the complicated world around them, but new tracks like lead single, “Arrow”, “After the Setting Sun”, “Blue Embers”, “Time With My Sins”, and more all welcome new shades of romance, reflection, solitude, and full-circle darkness-to-light moments into their already-sturdy catalog. They also sound wholly rejuvenated vocally and sonically, with their signature harmonies positively glowing, and their pop-sprinkled but utterly organic and folky arrangements splendidly radiating from the speakers.
The band’s also still willing to flip the script when the moment calls for it. “Cop Car” is the most obvious in this regard, sounding more than any other track like it could have fit on Every Shade of Blue, but still mustering a much grittier folk heartbeat. Meanwhile, cuts like “Fire Escape” and “Jubilee” joyously indulge in their 70s-kissed folk-pop sweet-tooth, and the results are undeniably uplifting. Elsewhere, more hushed and meditative moments like “Pool Break”, “Finally Free”, and “West Coast” give the record a sweetly poetic and comforting bedrock.
All told, Aperture is a splendidly reaffirming record that solidifies The Head and the Heart as one of the most reliably substantive, thoughtful, and engaging bands in music today. This record digs deep into your soul, stirs it and shakes up all of its complex emotions, and then jubilantly soothes it back to its most fulfilling state.
Track Listing:
- “After the Setting Sun” (Matthew Gervais, Kenny Hensley, Jonathan Russell, Charity Thielen, Tyler Williams, Chris Zasche)
- “Time With My Sins” (Gervais, Hensley, Russell, Thielen, Williams, Zasche)
- “Arrow” Gervais, Hensley, Russell, Thielen, Williams, Zasche)
- “Beg, Steal, Borrow” (Gervais, Hensley, Russell, Thielen, Williams, Zasche)
- “Cop Car” (Gervais, Hensley, Russell, Thielen, Williams, Zasche)
- “Blue Embers” (Gervais, Hensley, Russell, Thielen, Williams, Zasche)
- “Fire Escape” (Gervais, Hensley, Russell, Thielen, Williams, Zasche)
- “Pool Break” (Gervais, Hensley, Russell, Thielen, Williams, Zasche)
- “Jubilee” (Gervais, Hensley, Russell, Thielen, Williams, Zasche)
- “West Coast” (Gervais, Hensley, Russell, Thielen, Williams, Zasche)
- “Finally Free” (Gervais, Hensley, Russell, Thielen, Williams, Zasche)
- “Aperture” (Gervais, Hensley, Russell, Thielen, Williams, Zasche)
The 706 
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