This Island

This Island is the third and final studio album by Le Tigre, marking their significant transition from the independent Mr. Lady Records to the major label Universal. Recorded primarily in the band members' individual home studios in Manhattan using Pro Tools, the album represents a shift toward a more 'produced' sound, as noted by Kathleen Hanna. The record was co-produced by Nick Sansano and features a collaboration with Ric Ocasek of The Cars on 'Tell You Now.' Sonically, it bridges the gap between the band's riot grrrl roots and the mid-2000s electroclash movement. It is particularly notable for 'New Kicks,' which incorporates field recordings from a 2003 anti-war protest in NYC. While some critics at the time felt the major-label polish diluted their raw energy, the album is now viewed as a sophisticated evolution of their sample-based art-punk, maintaining its political urgency through a more accessible, dance-oriented lens.