Tegan and Sara - The Con

Mogstars out of ten: NineWith two members of Death Cab, The Rentals’ frontman and that bloke from AFI all involved in the project, Canadian chanteuses Tegan and Sara’s fifth full length offering is steeped in indie pedigree, yet it is the terrific twins themselves which gives it a homespun and friendly feel. While retaining the usual comforting melodies and gorgeous harmonies that you would expect from the girls, The Con is very much darker than their previous outings. The opening harmonies tread familiar territory, but the synths of second track _Relief in the Dark_ replace the sweetness with spite as the girls seem more threatening than they ever have before. The title track is a wonderful blend of staccato lyrics and chords, which will soon finds it’s home on the closing scenes of your favourite teen-dramas, while the effortless _Knife Going In_ is a wonderful ode to the pain of love. _Are You Ten Years Ago_ employs the synths again, and while “Tegan & Sara go electronic” could be a misjudgement, the songwriting and execution leave you in no doubt it was a right move. Back in Your Head returns to what you’d expect, but the lyrics cut a little deeper, and seem a little darker than previous T&S efforts (I’m not unfaithful but I stray –anyone?). _Hop a Plane_ is a little punier than you’d expect from these girls as they lambaste a sub-standard lover, while _Soil, Soil_ is a solemn hymn of isolation. _Burn Your Life Down_ is a call to arms for anyone stuck in a rut, while _Nineteen_ is a angry reaction to a teen love turned sour. _Floorplan_ continues the downtrodden theme and _Like O, Like H_ is a terrifying tale of childhood anxiety. _Dark Come Soon_’s would be in danger of sounding emo if it weren’t for the girls’ classy acoustic strumming, while album closer _Call it Off_ is a surprisingly happy reaction to voluntary heartbreak. In many ways _The Con_ is everything you’d expect from Tegan and Sara’s latest album. The vocal layering and acoustic guitar strumming are as beautiful as ever, and while they may sound a little darker it is hardly surprising to see them mature like this. This lack of change may put some off the album, but for me it alters enough to sound innovative, but doesn’t try to deconstruct a winning formula. The album lacks standout tracks but rather works as a sublime whole, a great accompaniment to a night in and a testament to the twins’ talent.