REVIEWS Tegan and Sara Love You to Death Vapor/Warner Bros.
Twin pop powerhouses Tegan and Sara Quin have shapeshifted in a pleasant way over the years, and their eighth studio album is the epitome of that. In an escape from the punk of the latter years and the coffee-house duo of their beginnings, Love You to Death is synth and bass with stripped-down hypercrystalline vocals and transparent lyrics. Although honest about their sexuality since moment one, that's never been the direct focus of their music, which left a generalized appeal. With specific pronoun usage and musical discussion of lesbian-specific issues, it's all feels wrapped up in a glittery package. Speaking directly to the demographic, "Boyfriend," the first single from the album, is a classic story of the closeted, curious girl who's dating a guy but also seeks a guru, stringing another girl along. Disgustingly catchy with a late '80's Madonna-meets-Taylor-Swift vibe, the struggle is real - "I let you take advantage cause it felt so good/ I blame myself for thinking we both understood." No worries, however - besides "B/W/U," all other songs are as ambiguous as previous releases. Club groover "Dying to Know" is lyrically oldschool, saltier than sweet and puts an ex on blast - "...I wanna understand/ hit me back cause you owe me that." Strangely, outing themselves in their music furthers the idea that *gasp* gays have the same problems as everyone else..
Flume Skin Mom + Pop Music/Future Classic Not even 25, Australian producer Harley Stretten has more beats under his belt than most. The king of eclectic collaboration choices, Flume has cast out a really wide net for this one, although I'm a bit surprised and a little disappointed that fellow Aussie crooner Chet Faker is a ghost on Skin. Despite that, there's no denying that this compilation predicts Flume going nowhere but up from here. A phenomenal sophomore release, it shows that EDM doesn't have to get boring and puddle into all of the rest. Joining forces with the likes of Kanye West's grasshopper Vic Mensa on "Lose It," Swedish singer/songwriter Tove Lo ("Habits [Stay High]"), Raekwon of WuTang Clan, and Beck, he's obviously proven his chops to some heavy-hitters. "Helix," the intro, invokes the same hype for the album that the band does at a high school basketball game. The steady build and heavy drops are both apprehensive and satisfying, flowing easily into the industrial mix of "Never Be Like You," a vocally stunning confessional penned by Canadian pop songstress Kai. "Say It" is the opposite - explicit with no tearful apologies. The main event, for me at least, is "Tiny Cities" with Beck, because, like... where have you been? Also, it further solidifies Beck's constant metamorphosis, which inarguably makes him an incredible musician. Roll out the red carpet. - Whitney Patterson Call for Advertising Information (812) 426-6398 • July 2016
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