An indie act’s transition into the mainstream is often fraught with risk, the familiar accusation of “selling out” typically bubbling to the surface before you can say, “radio single.” Treading this pop-laden path deftly is a daunting task, one that Canadian twins Tegan and Sara, unfortunately, fail to achieve as they make a deliberate effort to infuse more pop and electronic influences into their sound.
The new album Heartthrob delivers upbeat tracks that, at points, seem reminiscent of ‘80s synth-pop. While this slew of songs from the indie rock duo is generally pleasant to the ears, upon deeper investigation it is difficult to find any appealing qualities beyond the very prominent synthesizer production and trademark Tegan and Sara vocal combination.
The opening track and first single, “Closer,” is easily the best track on Heartthrob. The song is fairly well produced, blending electronic instrumentation with upper register vocals that make for a vibrant offering. Although it is somewhat exciting to see Tegan and Sara fusing pop sounds into their songwriting, the live acoustic rendition of “Closer” proves that a song stripped of synthetics packs more of a punch.
The entire album conveys relatable feelings of love and loss, with track titles such as “I Couldn’t Be Your Friend” and “Goodbye, Goodbye,” leaving very little to be deciphered by the listeners. At this point in their career, the duo could be expected to at least attempt to delve into less conventional themes in their songwriting. However, corny lines like “There’s nothing love can’t do” only leave the listener disappointed and resigned to what are mostly mediocre lyrics.
Appealing piano hooks and keyboard chords on “I Was a Fool” effectively add a layer of depth and melancholy that compensate for sub-par songwriting. As a whole, however, it isn’t challenging to notice the almost formulaic format for the majority of songs on the EP—a slow start that builds up into a pop anthem chorus, leaving little room for variety.
While the attempt to bring freshness to their sound is commendable, such a dull and uncreative approach can hardly yield an awe-inspiring result. In the end, pop is pop, and no one will remember it tomorrow.
Voice’s Choices: “Closer,” “I Was A Fool”
