Well this comes as a surprise even if it makes sense in a way. Yves Tumor, known by many names, is no stranger to bending genres. Originally dabbling in ambient and complementary genres of drone, sound collage, and even some noise elements on their debut When Man Fails You, overtime they began developing a unique and recognizable sound. Slowly pushing away from ambient they began developing a more eclectic palette adding in psychedelic pop, post-industrial, and other unorthodox styles of pop. All these came together on their 2018 record Safe in the Hands of Love delivering a hypnotic trip through unbridled emotions of love raveled in mystery. It had seemed that Yves Tumor found their niche within abrasive pop experimentation venturing into topics of love from a more dark perspective. Heaven to a Tortured Mind proves otherwise.

Retaining their lyrical motifs of complex situations of love, Yves Tumor took an unexpected turn into art rock with Heaven to a Tortured Mind. With it comes a variety of other genres as expected from them including neo-psychedelia and funky glam rock aesthetics. This record alone is a testament to their artistic capabilities and fearlessness to experiment, yet at the same time this is easily his most accessible record for all to enjoy. Catchy hooks and choruses, relatable feelings of being lovestruck, and groovy performances all effortlessly presented with Yves Tumor’s loveable mystery. The lead off single and opening track “Gospel For a New Century” gave a taste of all of this exceptionally. A story of love at first sight that feels like fate, but is cut short too soon based around misunderstanding and stubbornness to talk it out. Yves Tumor makes the track into an epic display of love with grandiose trumpet leads, a smooth and sensual bassline, explosive riffs, and his emotive vocals that hold a hopeful tone that is also worried that things won’t last.

The next two tracks “Medicine Burn” and “Identity Trade” accentuate Yves Tumor’s ability to make minimal lyrics into a spiritual mood through his raw performances and enthralling instrumentation. “Medicine Burn” portrays love as being a drug that humans innately desire the most even if it brings pain. Yves Tumor sounds distraught yelling beneath the noisy collage of sputtering synths and slippery guitar riffs making the otherwise jarring desperation feel like a cathartic release from a tortured mind. It also sets the tone for the theme of the record revolving around the drug that is love from the perspective of someone unable to cope with losing it. “Identity Trade” adds to this idea by portraying the narrator as also being a seducer who has seen someone in which he believes could be his next lover all over a jazzy bass groove with trumpet flares and an incredible saxophone solo near the end. Following are “Kerosene!” and “Hasdallen Lights” where the narrator makes their move in a surprisingly submissive fashion. On the prior they admit their love and promises to be everything they could ever want. This would be creepy if it wasn’t for Diana Gordon’s performance as the woman reflecting the same emotions back. “Hasdallen Lights” on the other hand shows that the woman is struggling from a past love herself and needs help more than ever. Both tracks are smooth and suave in their delivery showing that there is a connection but they may need to take it slower than expected.

As Heaven to a Tortured Mind continues their love begins to strengthen on “Romanticist” and “Dream Palette” which are two of the best love songs I’ve heard in awhile. The lo-fi production on the guitars and Yves Tumor’s voice on “Romanticist” give the song such raw emotions of true love. Ending the track are sounds of fireworks adding to the grandiose display which carry over to the entirety of “Dream Palette” serving the same purpose. The amount of instrumental flares thrown in as well adds so many layers a funkiness and a subtle darkness plus the choruses are unbelievably catchy. Continuing this theme of displaying love in an epic manner is “Super Stars” revealing troubles in the relationship that are harmful and tearing it apart but the narrator still tries to push through based on the strength of their love. I’m not the biggest fan of their creaking falsetto on the verses; I prefer their authentically raw vocals but they do add a damaged feel at least. It still has a lot going for it between another earworm chorus featuring some of Yves Tumor’s clearest and most beautiful vocals on the record along with very Prince-esque guitar work.

After these extravagant songs “Folie Imposée” reveals a darker side to the story with metaphors of predators eating their prey conveying obsession and a need to control and be controlled. Although compelling to the story, it is kind of off-putting. The mysterious post-industrial noises and minimalistic reverberating bass lines along with the occasional guitar chord do help with exuding the creepiness but it could have benefited from more of Yves Tumor’s signature subtle noisiness or some other layer of darkness. “Strawberry Privilege” has a similar flaw with the bland female “bom bom bom bom”s and tambourines on a song that watches that lover push farther and farther from the narrator bringing them back to the depressive state alluded at the beginning of Heaven to a Tortured Mind. It does have a melancholic vibe to match the motif but doesn’t feel as spiritual nor complete as other tracks on the record. Finishing off the record we first get the instrumental “Asteroid Blues” which has some nice noisy moments to accent the crazy mind but the fairly generic bass line gives the track an odd upbeat feel. “A Greater Love” wraps the story of Heaven to a Tortured Mind together giving a sense of maturity in the realization that it is time to give up and move on over heavenly woodwinds and twinkling bells making it a solid closing track.

Yves Tumor’s knack for breaking down genre barriers and experimenting along the way is utilized exceptionally on their transition towards more art rock oriented music. Even with a few tracks that I am lukewarm on, the tones set on Heaven to a Tortured Mind are so well done making for great tracks that feel meaningful and cohesive with every decision. Subjects of love from a darker perspective are nothing new to Yves Tumor either, but this new style and an interesting story give it a refreshing feel. This couldn’t have come at a better time either as the world is in a difficult place due to COVID-19. Heaven to a Tortured Mind reflects that struggle with its dark aesthetic but the subtle feeling of hope provides a light at the end of the tunnel many of currently need.

Favorite Tracks: “Gospel For a New Century”; “Medicine Burn”; “Identity Trade”; “Kerosene!”; “Hasdallen Lights”; “Romanticist”; “Dream Palette”; “A Greater Love”

Rating: 8/10

Released: 04/03/2020

Label: Warp

Genres: Art Rock, Neo-Psychedelia, Glam Rock, Psychedelic Soul, Art Pop, Post-Industrial

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RATING SCALE

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