Everyone makes mistakes, and that includes bands.

Hefner’s previous record, “We Love The City,” was a lackluster performance of easygoing tunes. Overproduced and unimpressive, it left the band in dire need to redeem itself.

On its latest record, it traded the 24-track recording studio format for merely eight tracks, a bold move by a band that needed to prove its ability.

By toning down its production, it did just that.

Simply trying something so different and unfamiliar to its earlier work is a feature worth commending the band for - since after all, isn’t creative freedom essential to the longevity of a project?

When the psychotic keyboards make their mark on the opening title track, it’s obvious the band approached this album differently.

“Trouble Kids” is a classic indie-rock number meshing a questionable sample of a baby’s voice with occasional blurbs of electronic sweetness - all set to the backdrop of a head-bopping string pattern.

“When the Angels Play Their Drum Machines” embodies a bit of storytelling with effective usage of a Moog synthesizer and various programming antics.

The formula of “China Crisis” delves back into the band’s old days, but with more maturity and poise, while the easily hummable Beatles-esqe “Half a Life” is perfect to sing along to.

From the haunting theme of “Alan Bean” to the almost childlike musical appeal of “Peppermint Taste,” Hefner has taken a gamble, and it will surely come away a winner.