By Jaden Reynolds
Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds) – Yves Tumor
2020 was a weird year in all of our lives. Covid shut down the world giving the masses more free time than they could handle. In this weird time period, Yves Tumor released “Heaven To A Tortured Mind.” An album than can only be described as a party for people confined in their bubbles. The twist Tumor brought to the neo-psychedelic genre will be something I will always remember fondly. This album is extremely influential in my life so when “Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds),” was announced, I couldn’t wait.
The singles for this album had me wondering what direction Tumor was going. “God Is a Circle,” is a post-rock banger that is a slight shift in style from their older work. The next single, “Echolalia,” has more of a psychedelic indie feel which I wasn’t too crazy about. These two singles were different in style and kept me interested in the direction Tumor was headed.
The last single, “Heaven Surrounds Us Like a Hood,” is a stunning return to their neo-psychedelic form which is easily a highlight of the album for me.
The full album released on March 17, 2023, and caught my attention immediately. Although I think the album falls flat in some areas, there are moments on this record that took my breath away. A standout track being, “Lovely Sewer.” It starts out calm and simple and then explodes with almost breakcore drums and beautiful vocals. The track keeps you engaged with the drums guiding you through the chaotic production. Another standout track is “Ebony Eye,” being my favorite closer of the year so far. Tumor returns to his, “Heaven To a Tortured Mind,” roots with a bombastic outro. It closes the album with a spectacle, which is the one thing I believe this album lacks.
Tumor creates a world that I can appreciate with this album. Although I prefer their earlier releases, “Praise A Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds),” is a welcome addition to their discography. It succeeds in giving the listener moments to remember while also being forgetful at some points.
Overall, I think it’s a great step forward and I cannot wait to see how Tumor builds on this in their next release.
Favorite Tracks: Lovely Sewer, Heaven Surrounds Us Like a Hood, Ebony Eye.
Least Favorites: Echolalia, Fear Evil Like Fire