Tegan and Sara have reliably evolved across their eight album career, which makes Love You To Death their most unsurprising offering yet. It leans further into the electropop sound established on 2013’s Heartthrob. There are many similarities between the two records:both are concise, at ten songs each, both are laden with synths, and both generously dish out lurrrve feelings.
However, Love You To Death isn’t a repeat, but a significant step upwards. Although the twins’ songwriting made Heartthrob an incredible record, it was let down by sluggish sonics. LYTD features sharper production and aside from lead single Boyfriend, the‘80s inflections are less apparent. Instead, there’s a stronger incorporation of dance styles. Crisp electro beats meld with glossy echoes on Dying To Know, while the slick Stop Desire is the cool cousin of Heartthrob’s Closer.
There’s added depth in the lyrical content too, moving beyond Heartthrob’s dichotomy of pain and pleasure. Boyfriend calls out the confusions of a closeted girl; That Girl bemoans the tiresome decay of a relationship; and BWU comments (perhaps politically) on the necessity of marriage, concluding that “we don’t need a white wedding”. Meanwhile, the division of the sisters’ vocals is unspoiled, particularly noticeable on piano ballad 100x. The album gently glides out with the pulsating Hang On Tonight, one of the record’s most affecting tracks.
For those who were disappointed with Tegan and Sara’s initial movement into pop, you’re probably going to stay sour. For those who revelled in it, Love You To Death is even more spectacular. With its lack of cracks and steady pulse, it packs an even stronger punch than Heartthrob. This is a record ideal for mornings of lip-syncing, afternoons of daydreaming and nights of dancing.
BY ANGELA CHRISTIAN-WILKES
