The band Tegan and Sara experienced a landmark moment on Jan, 29, when their seventh studio album, “Heartthrob,” was released.

“Heartthrob” retains the lyrical relevance that they possess in every single one of their  previous albums, all while marking a departure from their folk-acoustic sound to something synthy and catchy.

Tegan and Sara released their first album in 1999, and they have since become the one of the frontrunners of indie rock. They’ve been known for their iconic use of harmonies, inter-changing lead vocals and their distinct use of acoustic-driven songs.

But they’ve thrown away the guitars for synth keyboards and drum machines in their most recent album.

That’s not a bad thing, as Tegan and Sara have done this without compromising their artistry.

Tegan and Sara Quin, Canadian twins, have always been open and blunt regarding their sexual orientation, and this facet of their personalities is reflected in “Heartthrob.”

The two of them openly confront the pains and pleasures of love and the psychological effects that love has on its victims.

The album opens with “Closer,” a song that embodies the giddy feelings of infatuation with ’80s electropop beats, deep synths and a catchy lead.

The song talks about physical attraction and passionate sexual feelings that come with it when they sing, “All I think of lately is getting underneath me/all I’ve been dreaming of lately is how to get you underneath me.”

As they said at one of their concerts, the main purpose of this song is to make their fans dance and have a good time.

The second song, “Goodbye, Goodbye,” reintroduces synth keyboards and a hook and chorus just as catchy as “Closer.” It’s about battling with past emotional baggage and letting go of the past.

The album comes to an emotional apex during the fourth song, “I’m Not Your Hero,” in which Tegan and Sara lament about the feelings of rejection and not being good enough for the person they love.

With lyrics like “I’m not their hero/But that doesn’t mean that I wasn’t brave,” “It’s so hard to know that I’m not what they want,” and “I’m standing on the shadow of a damaged heart,” it’s hard for the listener not to empathize with the singers’ gut-wrenching feelings of despair and disappointment.

Together, the songs create an album that contains fluidity and emotional depth.  But the album also lacks a certain impression on the listener.

Some of the songs remain forgettable, even though the album does have its fair share of amazingly catchy songs.

“Heartthrob” marked the shift of Tegan and Sara’s sound to something catchier, more poppy and more marketable. This is a good thing, as this is the album in which they find a cohesive voice that speaks to the listener and shows their passion for both love and music. I give “Heartthrob” 3.5 out of 4 guitars.