Heza is Generationals' 2013 album for Polyvinyl, made by New Orleans duo Ted Joyner and Grant Widmer with percussion from Daniel Black. It was recorded in stages at Public Hi-Fi in Austin, Bent Black in Washington, D.C. and by the band in New Orleans, which gives the album a carefully assembled feel without making it sound overworked. The songs take their time getting to the good parts.
“Spinoza” and “I Never Know” lean on direct guitar lines, while “You Got Me” and “Put a Light On” build from spare electronic patterns. Those contrasts keep the set moving, but the real pleasure is in the small shifts, the rhythm tucked behind a vocal, a new layer arriving after the hook, or the way a simple part is allowed to hang in the air. Daniel Black’s production keeps everything clear and measured, with the percussion helping the arrangements breathe. Fans of thoughtful indie pop and guitar-based alternative music should find plenty here, especially if they prefer hooks that unfold instead of arriving fully formed. “Extra Free Year,” “Awake,” and “Durga II” round out a concise album that feels patient without turning soft.
