First of all, is it just me or are the two t's in the word Heartthrob annoying in their back-to-backness? No? Just me? Anyway, this, the 7th album by Canadian twins Tegan And Sara (their first in 4 years), has been branded a disappointing descent into the mainstream, but to my mind they have always been an indiepop act. Heartthrob, out now, simply tips the balance a little further towards the pop side.
With much of the production being producted by Greg Kurstin (one half of The Bird And The Bee and knob-twiddler -not a lesbian jibe- on hits by All Saints, Kylie &c.), Heartthrob packs more of a pop punch than the duo's previous outings (again, not a lesbian pun). Lead single Closer, their first point blank aim at the UK market, is the most poppy track on an album that otherwise deals with downbeat themes hidden beneath slick, uptempo tunes.
The music here is mostly straight-forward - I'm Not Your Hero is an adventure in insecurity, whilst I Couldn't Be Your Friend charts the prickly disintegration of a relationship. Now I'm All Messed Up tries in vain to be poignant, and I Was A Fool is like Bournville chocolate - smooth, yet plain. Generally their harmonies are taut, and the songs catchy, and it all builds up to the final track Shock To Your System, in which they stray into Niki And The Dove territory:
With its apocalyptic intro, driving beat and disillusioned vocals ("Who gave you reason?" is a haunting repetition), its certainly the most alternative and evocative track on the album. Elsewhere, the tone isn't worlds away from the bruised yet hopeful leanings of other Kurstin clients such as Kelly Clarkson or Pink. That's not necessarily a bad thing - it gave them their highest US album chart placing at #3 - but it gives me a sense that they should experiment with the darker sides of electropop next time round.
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