What does The Con sound like?

A vibrant blend of catchy melodies and introspective lyrics wrapped in shimmering indie pop soundscapes. Rooted in indie pop and indie rock. Start with "Relief Next to Me".

Is The Con a good place to start with Tegan and Sara?

Yes, The Con is recommended as a starting point for new Tegan and Sara listeners. A vibrant blend of catchy melodies and introspective lyrics wrapped in shimmering indie pop soundscapes. The Con is Tegan and Sara's fifth studio album, released during a time when they were transitioning from indie success to mainstream recognition. Following the breakthrough of their previous album, So Jealous, this record solidified their place in the pop landscape with its polished production and lyrical depth.

The Con works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, short, immersive listening sessions and introspective emotional reflections.

How many songs are on The Con?

The Con has 14 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

The Con

Tegan and Sara · 2007

36 min · 14 tracks · indie pop

A vibrant blend of catchy melodies and introspective lyrics wrapped in shimmering indie pop soundscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Relief Next to Me Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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The Con — This title track perfectly encapsulates the album's exploration of emotional complexity, blending poignant lyrics with an infectious chorus that showcases Tegan and Sara's signature harmonies.
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Back in Your Head — With its driving beat and catchy hook, this song highlights the duo's ability to merge upbeat instrumentation with reflective lyricism about longing and desire.
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Nineteen — This track stands out for its nostalgic look at youth and unrequited love, delivered with a sweet melody that contrasts with its bittersweet subject matter.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album features strong melodies and harmonies but has some pacing issues in its later tracks.

What we noticed

The first three tracks establish a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the fourth track introduces a more introspective tone with its slower tempo.
Several songs feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in the choruses.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
short, immersive listening sessions
introspective emotional reflections
thoughtful late-night vibes

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — The Con is widely regarded as a significant artistic achievement in their catalog.
Themes: heartbreak resilience· nostalgic youth· intimate relationships
Career context: The Con is Tegan and Sara's fifth studio album, released during a time when they were transitioning from indie success to mainstream recognition. Following the breakthrough of their previous album, So Jealous, this record solidified their place in the pop landscape with its polished production and lyrical depth.
Stylistic neighbors: The Concretes· Jenny Lewis· Chvrches