Bad Bad Hats - “Walkman”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 6

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

While their last proper release was covered in our 2022 SXSW check-in with their third record Walkman, Bad Bad Hats recently took advantage of the 10th year anniversary of the Minneapolis-based band’s debut EP It Hurts with new additions in demos and remasters broadening out the band’s catchy, indie rock song list. Their mix of driving riffs and rhythms with a naturally cooled, indie pop sound makes for memorable, catchy tracks that keep some sense of mystery through psych-rock misdirections. Bad Bad Hats would be full-on punk pop in a slightly different outfit, but thankfully they find an open zone to experiment in comfortable and comforting ways. (Kevin McStravick)

2022 Review: 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.