As Hanna states in their press materials, “It’s incredibly important for us to have a presence in pop culture right now.” Her bandmate JD adds, “We’re excited to challenge mainstream media—I think people are ready for it.”

I’m loving every song on this album, but there are a few standouts. “New Kicks” is a guerrilla sampling of the anti-war protest in New York City back in February 2003. The samples are set to a driving rock guitar and a mesmerizing drumbeat. The chorus (“this is what democracy looks like/this is what democracy sounds like/peace now”) is punctuated by snippets from Susan Sarandon, Al Sharpton, and other anti-war speakers. What really comes across in this song is the intoxicating joyousness inherent in exercising an American right of citizenship—the right to protest policies you don’t agree with en masse with other like-minded individuals. This song already has an “unofficial” video (whatever that means) and will come out as a vinyl white label in time for the elections. It’s political and danceable, and in the spirit of Emma Goldman’s notorious exclamation “If I can’t dance, I don’t want to be in your revolution.”

The very next song on the album is “Viz.” It opens like a George Michael song, which is ironic since it’s about queer visibility—specifically, butch lesbian visibility. The lyrics make a statement about perceptions directed at butches and how these perceptions are transferred to other members of queer culture. Queer women can check themselves and their assumptions to the beat of this catchy tune.

“After Dark” and “Yaz Slow” are loungey, sexy little gems that lower the frenetic tempo and make for some hip-grinding slow-dancing. “Yaz Slow” has a very Massive Attack sound on top of sweet xylophone and jazzy horn selections. “After Dark” has the yearning sensuality of Blondie’s “Call Me,” with a contagious beat and a chorus similar to that 80s siren song.

My favorite song on the album is the cryptically titled “Nanny Nanny Boo Boo.” It has a rap style similar to “What’s Ya Take on Cassavettes,” from Le Tigre's self-titled first album. I like the robotic buzzes and blips and the clever lyrical wordplay. Listening to this song is pure sassy pleasure, like eavesdropping on smart-alecky kids on the bus. This is the song for doing the centipede or roller skating backwards to impress the cutie working at the café.

Most of the album is produced by Nick Sansano, who has worked with Public Enemy and Sonic Youth, but track seven, “Tell You Now,” has input from The Cars’ frontman Ric Ocasek. This song has a darker, more polished sound with haunting vocals and dreamy guitars over an ominous rhythm.

The only questionable track is “I’m So Excited,” a cover of the Pointer Sisters’ high energy dance floor shaker. It sounds weird with a Casio keyboard reggae beat integrated into it and sing-song chorus. It’s hard to tell if it’s supposed to be a serious remake or winking satire of the original song.

Whether you are already a fan of Le Tigre, or just want to be, don't miss This Island. It takes the best of the electropunk geniuses of the last few years (like Peaches, Ladytron, and Beta Band), blends their sound with the pioneering electronic moods of Yaz and Blondie, and tops it all off with political smartypants lyrics for a super-potent aural cocktail.

Get more info at letigreworld.com or buy the CD now at Amazon.com