Music

Ben Tipple / 1 February 2017

Playlist: Get acquainted with Tegan and Sara

With Tegan and Sara set to reach the UK in mid-February, we’ve delved into their back-catalogue to get fully acquainted with the duo.

Identical twins Tegan and Sara have been formally making music together since 1995, forming what has since become the crossover sensation we see today. Since then, they’ve steadily evolved from the stripped back acoustic tones of their 1999 debut Under Feel Like Ours to their most recent synth infused Love You To Death.

Yet their focus on atypical melodies and styles has helped them retain a distinctive sound across varying styles. It’s also encouraged a respect by fans and music critics alike that isn’t afforded to just any pop star. Their sound is both sophisticated and fun, and cleverly balances a delicate beauty with all out enjoyment.

Ahead of their UK tour, kicking off on the 13 February 2017 at London’s Roundhouse, we’ve looked back through their eight studio albums, EPs and singles and pulled together some of our favourites.

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Back In Your Head
In 2007, some eight years after releasing their debut, Tegan and Sara broke into the mainstream with The Con, reaching No.4 in their native Canada, and the first to enter the US Billboard 200. Back In Your Head remains the most popular track from the record.

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The First
Aptly titled The First, this is their debut official single, despite having released another album before The Business Of Art from which this song appears. Driven by a fiery attitude, it’s a very early indication of their blend of acoustic mastery and all-out pop.

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Alligator
Taken from their follow-up to their charting The Con, Alligator was their first single foray into the mainstream charts. It saw them push at the top 30 in the United States, and cemented their alt-pop sound.

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Heavy
Before their days of music videos, Tegan and Sara made most of their music as a comparatively minimalist duo. Heavy is taken from their aesthetically gritty and independently released debut Under Feet Like Ours; a collection of singer-songwriter style tales that formed the foundation for later work.

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Boyfriend
It’s a long way from 1999’s Under Feet Like Ours to last year’s energetic Love You To Death. The record reached No.2 in Canada, also celebrating success in the UK, Australia and the US. Boyfriend has been celebrated for its open discussion of LGBTQ issues.

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Closer
The most popular Tegan and Sara track according to various online artist charts, Closer led their switch to the synth-electro inspired sound they deliver today. It appears on 2013’s Hearthrob; their highest charting record to date.

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Like what you hear? Tegan and Sara will be performing in the UK on the following dates with Alex Lahey and Ria Mae.

13 February – Roundhouse, London
14 February – Albert Hall, Manchester
15 February – O2 Academy, Bristol
17 February – O2 ABC, Glasgow
18 February – O2 Institute, Birmingham

Lahey just dropped the video for her brilliant Wes Anderson, which – in an homage to the director named in the song’s title – sees her romantically roaming with a googly-eyed plank of wood.

Like what you hear? Tegan and Sara hit the UK from the 13 February, with tickets available through Ticketmaster.co.uk.