Calgary Indie Darlings Tegan & Sara are back with a pure pop offering on HeartThrob [WarnerBros] laced with an 80’s production sensibility throughout this 10 track record. I am so pleased to report that the entire CD lives up to the recent hype surge and only gets better after repeated listens! Multiple songs on Hearthrob could have EASILY been in any one of director John Hughes famous 80’s films like “How Come You Don’t Want Me Now” (reminds me of Some Kind of Wonderful to be specific,) and was produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen–most notable from his work with Green Day, Pink and Goldfrapp.

The first release “Closer” is produced by industry vet Greg Kurstin (Sia, Lily Allen, Natasha Bedingfield) and is a feel good dance romp perfectly capturing the ethereal vocal harmonies of the singer/songwriter sisters. It’s what got my attention on this their 7th album release, whereas previously I never took notice even though I always had curiosity–spesh since they are Canadian, but such are the trials and tribulations of a music journo…you can’t dance at EVERY Wedding.

Despite “Closer” being the impetus that reeled me in to HeartThrob, my absolute favorite two tracks are “Love They Say”–a love letter to finding that special someone, and a hauntingly beautiful “Now I’m all messed up” a slow and simmering ballad with a chorus that will pull at your heartstrings. It’s basically an audible imprint of what would happen if one could put crying and singing in your cuisinart. It’s that potent. It’s THAT gooooood.

Unless you are allergic to the 80’s, saccharine pop, romantic entanglements, blended harmonies, or PERFECTION as a WHOLE you should buy this album.

Now. Go. Get. IT!!