Rating: NNN
The advance chatter about Heartthrob is that this is the album that will propel Tegan & Sara into the mainstream pop world, and it definitely sounds like they’re trying. Unfortunately, nothing sounds less like a hit than a song trying to be one, which is the case for much of Heartthrob.
That said, lead single Closer has all the makings of a genuine big pop anthem, other tracks are contenders for chart success, and there’s mercifully little filler. It’s just hard to get excited about this shift in their sound. Heartthrob feels like it’s been overproduced to the point of lifelessness. The eerie voice blend still sends the occasional chill up the spine, and their songwriting continues to capture the painful earnestness of youth, but it all feels a bit staged.
Top track: Closer
