It's Hard To Live In The City

It's Hard To Live In The City

Album Review: Heartthrob - Tegan and Sara
Let me preface this with the confession that I was not always a T+S fan. In fact, I never really connected with their music until last year. There were a few songs that I knew, and liked, but overall I never felt like they were singing to me/for me/about me. Then, I got over it and suddenly The Con was my favourite album. So, I am not writing this review as a die-hard fan. I am simply writing this review because Tegan and Sara did something that a lot of indie artists, especially Canadian folk-rockers with a cult following, are afraid to do: they made a pop album.
To begin with, Tegan and Sara’s publicity/marketing team have done an absolutely fantastic job at hype-ing the album and really pushing them into the mainstream spotlight. What I love about Tegan and Sara is that they have embraced it and encouraged it and asked, honestly, that their fans step with them on this journey into new territory. They own the decisions they made on this album, and I respect the hell out of that. They’re transparency presenting this album has been unparallelled, from their track by track videos, open and honest interviews, and an overall willingness to stand in front of their fans and not be afraid to be something unexpected.
I’d also like to take a second to comment on how goddamn awesome they look these days. I mean, they’ve always had a specific look, but they are looking hotter than ever lately. Loving their style - the clothes, the hair, the make-up. Into it.
Since it’s streaming release this morning, I’ve just listened to the album in its entirety twice in a row. I’ve heard all the singles at least a dozen time since they released them and I will say that those are the strongest songs. But, that’s kind of always how it is.
I love the synth sound mixed with their distinct vocals. It feels very 80s without being cheesy or inauthentic. They clearly wrote the songs with pop in mind, but you can still hear the unique T+S style in there. It’s obvious that they wrote these songs in their way and then truly collaborated with a producer who wanted to take it to the next level.
Thematically, I think it’s a solid album. I like the idea of it not being so much about struggle in love or disappointment, but more about the realism of being in love (or in like, or in lust) and how there are highs and lows and that other people can become something so much more than human for a short period of time before coming back down a little as you start to realize that we’re all kind of the same.
In the end, it is what it is. But considering it’s been nearly three and a half years since Sainthood, I’d have to say that this certainly is an epic way for them to come back.
Personal faves: Now I’m All Messed Up, I’m Not Your Hero, How Come You Don’t Want Me, Closer.

Marius in suspenders, swoon!

visualgraphic:

Less Buck More Bang

Urban outfitters dreamboat.

Model Through It

derriuspierre:

Paris Fashion Week: Saint Laurent Fall/Winter 2013

Jacket.

I died. I am dead.

Rad style.

Tegan and Sara and Joseph?

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