Bad Bad Hats - “Milky Way”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 7

Pairs Well With…The Beths, The Ophelias, Sunflower Bean

Minneapolis indie rock band Bad Bad Hats hit a slick stride on their third record, 2021’s Walkman, capturing a breezy power pop sound steeped in punk, folk, and indie rock forms. Hooky without being overbearing, Walkman is a collection of bright hoppers that succeeds best when branching out from a fully solid core. See the psych-rock infused punk-pop number “Detroit Basketball”, the campfire-in-the-bedroom “Always on Time”, and the post-punk bass melody driving “Milky Way” for this exploration without steering off the road. There’s a sense of 90s nostalgia throughout Walkman that plays well into Bad Bad Hats’ hands as they smear the paint just enough to feel right at home today. It’s a delicate balance of catchy pop hooks that are covered in creative ways, but still laying a grooving, quietly sing-a-long foundation. Bad Bad Hats are about a decade into their career and have earned sonic credibility that will make for a fulfilling SXSW set come March. (Kevin McStravick)