What do you get when you cross TATU with talent? You get the musical stylings of Canadian folk-rockers, Tegan and Sara. First things first: Yes, they do happen to be identical twin lesbians, but they are anything but another onstage exploitation. This genre-defying duo exploded onto the scene when they joined Lilith Fair back in 1998, and since then, they have toured with big-name headliners such as the Pretenders, Ryan Adams, and the Killers.

The band’s latest offering, So Jealous, finds the twosome in full form, approaching their ever-evolving sound in a much-matured fashion. With contagious edgy-pop hooks, melodic ballads, solid harmonies, and lyrical explorations of love and love lost, this third outing proves to be something both die-hard indies and mainstreamers can agree on. Instrumentation moves seamlessly between acoustic and electric throughout, and is accompanied by an unorthodox rhythm section, underscored by new-wave synth-lines. The girls wanted an album that could be easily reproduced in a live setting, and the result is a skillful showcase of simple creativity that remains pleasing to the untrained ear.

The drive of the album’s opening track “You Wouldn’t Like Me” is immediately met by the peppy follower “Take Me Anywhere.” Both songs bridge the acoustic/electric gap, giving the listener a pretty accurate insight into what’s to come. The energetic high point, however, is no doubt the recently released single, “Speak Slow.” But be forewarned-the human brain automatically puts this one on repeat, and you will inevitably catch yourself reciting the chorus’ singable stutter days later. Some of the album’s other shining moments include the haunting anthem “Walking With a Ghost,” the Sting-reminiscent interlude of “I Know I Know I Know,” and on the slower side, the unabashed emotion of “Where Does the Good Go?” Unfortunately, the album’s lowest point is its own title track, “So Jealous,” which is a whiny and seemingly pretentious attempt at depth that is riddled with mediocrity. But overall, with its unpredictability and heart on its sleeve, this album is a must have for any music-lover.

Tegan and Sara will be performing at the Austin City Limits Festival this month.