Fifteen years into their journey, The Head and the Heart continue to grow – and with ‘Aperture,’ they achieve clarity through connection, crafting their most emotionally rich and sonically daring album to date. Atwood Magazine engaged the band in a conversation about the creation and catharsis, the hope and humanity reflected in their sixth studio album – a work that embodies both a return home and a fresh start.
‘Aperture’ – The Head and the Heart
Listen closely: Open your ears, eyes, and heart to embrace everything this remarkable life presents – the good, the bad, the joy, the sorrow, the love – all of it. I will have more to say about the sixth studio album in due time, but for now, I will share this:
Fifteen years into their remarkable journey, The Head and the Heart’s folk-infused music remains as fresh and joyful as it is free-spirited and thoughtful. Released on May 9th through Verve Forecast, their sixth studio album, Aperture, is described by band member Matty Gervais as “an invitation to awaken in the present moment, recognizing that it encompasses all we possess, in all its beautiful and painful contradictions, as well as joy and despair, infinite vastness, and impermanence.”
In practical terms, this translates to rich, warm harmonies, glowing melodies, insightful lyrics, invigorating instrumentals, and instantly catchy singalongs – all conveyed with the fervor and expertise of a seasoned group that, despite their experience, continually discovers inspiration within themselves and in everyday life.
Aperture – The Head and the Heart
“It felt like it was all new again,” Gervais tells Atwood Magazine. “We weren’t preoccupied with results or expectations. We merely flowed with the moment and allowed the songs to reveal their true essence.”
One of the most impressive aspects of Aperture is its diversity: While songs like “After the Setting Sun,” “Time With My Sins,” and “Arrow” delve into intimate reflections on identity, purpose, and the deeper meaning of life within a familiar, sun-filled sound, The Head and the Heart also experiment with new styles and themes throughout this album.
“I think our fans were not prepared for this record – and honestly, neither was I,” lead singer Jonathan Russell admits. “It caught me off guard in a wonderfully surprising way.”
The Head and the Heart by Shervin Lainez
Each track on Aperture shines with moments of musical, emotional, and lyrical significance. The urgent and intense “Cop Car” stands out particularly: Russell’s voice is stripped down as he sings from within a police cruiser, expressing anger and fear while contemplating his present and future: “I’m riding in a cop car tonight, watching the lights flash as they go by, pondering how we’re going to perish.” The Head and the Heart not only convey a spark of humanity and compassion for those often overlooked by society but do so with elegance, sensitivity, charm, and a pointed critique of the police.
“I didn’t consciously write that song. It just… emerged from me,” Russell says about “Cop Car,” which was captured in a single take. “I wasn’t even sure if I could sing that way again. It was something that had to be expressed – like a wrecking ball inside me.”
Take me on a boat ride, babe
Drop me in the middle of the sea
Make me swim home, tell me I’m wrong
At least I’ll be clean for a week
Riding in a cop car tonight
A lot of time to think what’s right
Oh, my wife, another in time
I wonder how she’ll endure the journey?
– “Cop Car,” The Head and the Heart
And “Cop Car” isn’t the only highlight of Aperture: With lush, mesmerizing tracks like “Pool Break” and the uplifting, life-affirming “Jubilee,” along with the feel-good tune “Fire Escape” (a classic THATH hit) and the hopeful “Beg, Steal, Borrow,” The Head and the Heart's sixth studio album emerges as a poignant, unforgettable beacon in 2025’s musical scene. In fact, songs such as “Pool Break” and “Jubilee” shine brightly, demonstrating the band’s expansion into new sonic realms while maintaining the bold vocal harmonies and emotionally resonant themes that longtime fans appreciate deeply.
“I envisioned a little boy alone in a vast field, carrying a heavy pain,” Russell reflects on “Pool Break.” “He’s waiting for someone – perhaps a father figure – to place a hand on his shoulder and say, ‘I’ve got you.’ But that moment never comes, leaving the world feeling immense and frightening. That sentiment has always stayed with me.”
A little boy’s story, speaking to his father
Expressing the lessons he wished he had learned
Like pleasure and pain, the fragrance
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Fifteen years later, The Head and the Heart continue to grow – and with 'Aperture,' they achieve clarity through connection, resulting in their most emotionally rich and sonically bold album to date. Atwood Magazine chatted with the band about the process of creation and catharsis, as well as the hope and humanity reflected in their sixth studio album – a piece of work that embodies both a return home and a new start.