Canadian indie rock sisters Tegan and Sara have revealed that
their sixth album, Sainthood, will be released on October 27 via
Sire Records. Recorded with Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris
Walla and Vancouver producer Howard Redekopp (the New
Pornographers), the album also features members of Death Cab
performing as a backing band.
In an email to Exclaim!, Tegan Quin described the record’s
sound, saying, "It’s a very rocky, poppy, heavy
record. There aren't any ‘call it off’ acoustic
numbers on this one. But I think Tegan and Sara fans will love
it."
Perhaps the reason for this change in sound is the fact that the
sisters wrote together, a first for the duo. "Sara and I
have never sat down to write songs together before," Quin
explains. "We ended up with two songs that we cowrote
together and three more I cowrote with Hunter Burgan. Also, we
recorded as a five-piece so we both sang and played on each
other's songs. Typically, we don't record parts for each
other's songs on record, we just support one another live. So
I think people who love us live will love the vibe on this
record."
Quin also explained the album title, which draws inspiration from
Canadian songwriting legend Leonard Cohen.
"‘Sainthood’ is actually a song we wrote during
a writing trip to New Orleans in the fall. The lyrics were from a
song Leonard Cohen wrote called ‘I Came So Far for
Beauty,’" she said. "We didn't end up putting
it on the record but I feel those lyrics and that song really
inspired the rest of the record, which is why we kept the title.
We think of Saints as moral, devoted servants to their faith. And
in love, I suppose so am I. In a much more secular, romantic way,
of course."
Sainthood doesn't have a tracklisting as of yet but Quin has
said that the record will include 13 to 15 tracks.