Album Review: Tegan And Sara - Heartthrob

On the surface, Tegan And Sara's seventh album might sound like a far cry from their previous releases, having fully embraced synth pop (heavy on the '90s dance anthems and '80s tones and balladry) but at its core, it's still very much 'them'; their sentiments, subject matter and stylistic songwriting tendencies are embedded, unbudging, underneath the shiny synth exterior and slick pop production.

First single and opener Closer – as a preview for Heartthrob – may have worried fans, but it's perhaps the most un-T&S song on the album. Listen a little more closely and you can hear repetition used to fill syllables on Goodbye, Goodbye (“You never really knew me never ever/Never ever saw me, saw me like they did”), the call and repeat back-and-forth delivery in I Was A Fool, and the low-high octave vocals in How Come You Don't Want Me Now; all Tegan And Sara trademarks. Sonically, Heartthrob still focuses on dynamics, details – the rush before the chorus.

Their more commercial, accessible sound notwithstanding, Tegan And Sara continue to do what they've always done best: write and deliver pop songs about love, heartbreak, relationships and all the feelings that are associated with those topics. There's still the first person closeness, the zeroing in on one aspect or moment, and relatable lyrics that are straightforward yet vague enough to apply to anyone's given situation.

It's a tricky and delicate balance to try to evolve and grow to expand your fanbase and reach new audiences while still staying true to yourself and appeasing long-time, established devotees, but Tegan And Sara manage to give it a good go. Heartthrob is arguably a collection of 'singles' but also a strong and cohesive album.