Heffner - “30 Minute Tweezer”

SXSW 2024 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 3

Pairs Well With…Band of Horses, Geese, Shame

It’s a treat how catchy Heffner’s sound can be while still sounding so weird, punk-pop tunes twisted with psych-rock, jazz, and hard-rock intentions. The Athens, Georgians released album number three last year, Super Bowl LXIX, and it’s an excellent record that seems to have fallen completely under the radar since its release last fall. That’s a shame since Super Bowl LXIX, and Heffner’s sound in general, is both accessible and pushing their genres forward. The hopeful tones of “30 Minute Tweezer” (my favorite named track of SXSW 2024 so far, iykyk) are counterbalanced by the math-rock deviations on the title track and highlight “Truck”. While living in these psych-rock spaces, Heffner sound surprising light and breezy at times. It’s refreshing against the grime and aggression that justifiably defines many bands’ take on left-field rock and is a unique, capturing space for Heffner to continue to create. As soon as they get comfortable though, Heffner flips the table with something new across this head-turning release. (Kevin McStravick)