‘Love You to Death’ by Tegan And Sara Album Review: Modern Issues Glossed Over By Upbeat Synthpop

Canadian twin duo Tegan and Sara continue to revel in their dance synthpop niche with their most recent release Love You to Death. Following the 2013 Heatthrob, which marked a new, more electronic direction in their indie style, Love You to Death is an indication that the duo feels comfortable with the mainstream, glossy pop strain of their music.

‘Love You to Death’ by Tegan and Sara Album Review

What has always made the duo unique in the kind of music they make is the emotional depth they bring to each song. Regardless of how ornate and synthy the production is (here the doing of producer Greg Kurstin) at the core of each track are the raw lyrics and vocals delivered simply and without pretension, which can be heard best at some of the more silent moments on the record. “Nobody hurts you like me,” the duo sings on opener “That Girl” while intricate disco synths and beats envelop their introspective chant. Earnest lyrics like this land with a particularly strong resonance with the modern condition of uncertainty and anxiety.

At the same time Tegan and Sara have a certain nonchalant way of bringing up real social issues in their music without engaging with them in a provocative way. Certain circumstances are taken as a given and even though they reflect larger social processes the singers refer to them in as much as they possess some personal, individualistic dimension. “Boyfriend,” for example, which was inspired by Sara’s current girlfriend who used to be involved with a man when they first met, she sings, “You treat me like you boyfriend and trust me like a very best friend.” The point is that human emotions supersede social preconceptions of gender and sexuality, but here the personal experience of this issue trumps any larger call to action.

Musically, the change from Heartthrob is slight, still exploring the varieties pop only this time with a strong hint of looking back to the past to the disco pop era (think early Madonna and Cyndi Lauper). This can be easily spotted in the beat-heavy rhythms and glistening synths. Tracks like “Stop Desire” and “U-Turn” may have a more modern sound, but they still adhere to a shiny pop formula.”100x” is a notable standout with its piano-driven balladic sound and slow tempo. Though it is a lovely track very different from anything else on the album, describing the dissolution of a relationship, its confessional and open tone is rendered somewhat banal by the delivery. Thematically, the duo engages with topics of large significance but they have chosen to do so based on their own experiences. Their songs may very well contain those universal meanings, but they are also so valuable as case examples of larger cultural and generational phenomena.

Ultimately, Love You to Death is a catchy and well-crafted pop record with a strong emotional core. Tegan and Sara seem to have found their footing in not-quite-pastiche synthpop renditions on their previous album Heartthrob and fully consolidated it on their most recent one.

Get The Album Here!