Album Review // Yves Tumor // Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)
4.5 out of 5 stars
As a fan of Yves Tumor's previous work, it was immediately exciting to dive into their latest album. A veritable masterpiece, this album succeeds in transcending artist Sean Bowie's (who uses they/them and he/him pronouns) oeuvre in terms of sound and style, while still capturing the essence of what makes his music so compelling.
Bowie, the Miami-born multi-instrumentalist now living in Turin, Italy self-released their debut album, When Man Fails You in 2015, following it up with 2016's Serpent Music, to critical acclaim.
Praise a Lord is genre-bending, blending elements of experimental pop, rock, and electronica to create a unique aural landscape that feels simultaneously nostalgic and futuristic. Yves Tumor's signature falsetto vocals are still present, combined with his lush baritone, but they're layered over distorted guitars and synth-heavy parts in a way that feels fresh and exciting.
One of the standout tracks on the album is "Lovely Sewer," an uptempo dance number that's intoxicatingly catchy, followed by the 90s throwback grunge of "Meteora Blues" for a front-loaded barrage.
Another highlight is "Echolalia" filled with its sensual, pounding hooks. Perhaps the most accessible cut is "Fear Evil Like Fire," a feverish 80s throwback that you'll want to put on every playlist this summer.
