Review: Yves Tumor’s “Praise a Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)”

  With the release of Yves Tumor’s new album, the listeners and their ears are left on a sonic-bending trip exploring multiple genres interwoven in their own unique blend.

  The album, titled “Praise a Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)”, was released on Mar. 17 and had three singles released leading up to the prior stages of the album being available. This is the fifth studio album released by Tumor and has a total of 12 tracks.

  In the early stages of their career, Tumor, also known as Sean Bowie, experimented with industrial electronic sounds and mixes, which created a raw experimental impression that would start the journey of what was to follow.

  Fast forward to the present day and the release of their fourth album, the artist has seemed to advance their sonic identity even more in a juxtaposed world where electronic, alternative, rock, psychedelia, and more can all coexist.

  The reason I use the word “juxtaposition” is that often, that is what the music created by Bowie can feel like. Throughout the album, and albums prior, there are moments of heavy melodic phrases and movements, evoking raw emotions and messages.

  On the other hand, there are moments in which the listener is left to interpret for themselves while being immersed in distorted and drowned-out textures.

  Songs like “Meteroa Blues” have a wonderful contrast. This particular song contains a soft guitar melody and catchy alternative drums in certain verses and the bridge but is contrasted by other guitar melodies in the chorus with more grunge and post-punk tone.

  Track six, “Heaven Surrounds Us Like a Hood” is carried by a beautiful bassline and wide drums with a heavy-hitting snare, accompanied by a rich and full synth line. A bridge section in the middle brings a nice change of pace that is more characteristic of Bowie’s early electronic ambiance.

  In what is probably my favorite track off of the album (at least currently), track seven, “Operator”, brings more of an upbeat danceable punk sound, if such a thing really exists. But this is what is so encapsulating about Bowie’s music. The fact that there really is no label that can be put on it. You simply just listen and find yourself in the world that Bowie is setting up for the listeners.

  “Praise a Lord Who Chews But Which Does Not Consume; (Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds)” is available to listen to on all streaming platforms and also comes with the recent announcement of tour dates for Yves Tumor.

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