Love You To Death
Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara, the Canadian indie-rock duo, have been rocking the music scene since 1997, when they started to appear in their native Calgary at the age of 15 under the name Plunk. By the time their first commercially available album was released, Under Feet Like Ours (1999), they had renamed the band Tegan and Sara and there has been no looking back.
Longtime fans will hardly recognize the sound they find in the newest incarnation of Tegan and Sara, Love You to Death - the duo's eigth studio album. Known for their indie-rock/folk sound, the Quin twins broke out from their traditional sound with their 2013 album, Heartthrob; working with producer Greg Kurstin together they developed a modern pop album that leaned into an electronic/dance/pop sound, with enough traces of the familiar T&S vibe to appease old fans.
Love You to Death brought Kurstin back, and they continue the evolution of the Quin twin's sound into a fully realized pop album. Carrying heavy influences from the '80s, the synth-pop sound has taken the twins into a new musical direction.
Boyfriend, the lead single off the album, is about being in a relationship with a counterpart who is not fully comfortable with their own sexual identity, and wishy-washy treatment of their partner as sometimes friend, sometimes lover. The real winner off the album is undoubtedly UTurn, with brilliant synth-keyboard arrangements, bringing listeners back to summer jams of the mid-80s.
The album briefly rocketed up the Canadian charts and peaked at number three.
While critical response to the album has been mostly positive, longtime fans will find themselves disappointed if they are seeking that distinctive Quin sound of bygone years. Love You to Death picks up where Heartthrob left off, pushing even further into a pop-driven sound, losing some of the distinct Tegan and Sara-ness so many love. While the album manages to be instantly recognizable as a product of the duo, it is far removed from fan favourite albums, So Jealous (2004), and The Con (2007).
Those who love pop music, especially with a 1980s influence, should certainly check out Love You To Death. Long time T&S fans will find something to love in the album, though should be cautioned not to expect the sound they have grown up with, and it might leave them pining for even just a little bit of those familiar T&S guitars.
Tegan and Sara's Love You to Death is currently on order and will be available in the adult music collection.
Michael Cruickshank is teen programmer and readers' advisor at the Prince George Public Library.
