Nathaniel Clark – A&E Editor

nuc5002@psu.edu

Yves Tumor’s “Hot Between Worlds” is a prime cut of ambient neo-psychedelic post-punk perfectly prepared for the modern listening public. 

For the layman, Yves Tumor is the solo moniker of producer and multi-instrumentalist Sean Bowie. Since 2015, Bowie, who goes by they/he pronouns, has released five studio albums under the Yves Tumor name. 

Yves Tumor has been hailed as one of the most original and exciting artists in experimental music today. Bowie cites a broad list of influences from legends like Prince and David Bowie to the more avant-garde like Dean Blunt and Throbbing Gristle. Pulling from these various artists, Yves Tumor crafts unique neo-psychedelic worlds for each of their records. 

“Hot Between Worlds” is the highly-anticipated follow-up to Tumor’s fourth studio album. Titled “Heaven to a Tortured Mind,” the record was a smash hit, garnering critical acclaim from various publications. With a heavy focus on glam rock and soul, “Heaven” is explosive and eclectic, blasting directly into the listener’s ears with roaring guitars and Yves’ androgynous vocals. 

The biggest hit from this record was “Kerosene!” One of the most outwardly cathartic songs of the 2020s, Yves and guest vocalist Diana Gordan intertwined with an excellent guitar lick to craft a memorable chorus. 

In essence, “Heaven to a Tortured Mind” is a record that would be hard for anyone to follow up. There are so many paths that one could take. Do you make a similar record in an attempt to bring your audience back or do you step back and make a whole different experience? As expected from Yves, they went for the latter. 

The first taste of this new record was given on Jan. 30. Released as the album’s lead single was “Echolalia,” the album’s ninth track. 

Immediately on first listen, this new version of Yves Tumor is evident. Rather than upfront and explosive, “Echolalia” is vague and textured. While the psychedelic sound is present, every level of the mix blends in perfect motion. Textures of synths, guitars, drums, and vocal ad-libs drive the song along. Rather than being the guiding light, Yves Tumor’s vocals are considerably more nuanced and free-flowing. They feel more in line with the instrumentation rather than going against the grain. 

“Echolalia” was a reintroduction of Yves Tumor. Gone were the art rock and soul. Taking their place is pure post-punk. 

On March 17, “Praise a Lord Who Chews but Which Does Not Consume; [Or Simply, Hot Between Worlds]” was released onto all major streaming platforms. With twelve tracks, Yves Tumor’s fifth studio album and third under Warp Records comes in under 40 minutes. 

“Hot Between Worlds” opens with “God Is a Circle.” A raspy screech from Yves leads into a sound array of heavy breathing, radar noises, and DJ scratching. This weird collection is quietly joined by drums and guitars. With the instrumentation set, Yves reintroduces themselves into the track, taking on a relaxed and leveled vocal cadence. As the song continues, Yves describes the struggle of self-detachment in an all-consuming, toxic relationship. This detachment is perfectly encapsulated by the sudden moments in spikes of instrumental activity. Whether it is the reappearance of Yves’ screech or unusual guitar lick, the whole atmosphere feels treacherous.

“Lovely Sewer” has this hazy, laid-back dynamism that works in spades. Greatly supported by icy synths, the duet between Yves and returning guest vocalist Diana Gordon flows along with the production. 

“Meteora Blues” opens with an acoustic guitar and a slow tempo. However, this pace is immediately lost by the chorus. With a reverb-enhanced guitar, the descriptions of “red cherry lips” feels grandiose, making the disconnect between Yves and this unseen figure even more heartbreaking.

After a short interlude, “Parody” fills the listener’s ears with a whisper-esque vocal cadence from Yves. Even as the guitars and the drums fill the room, Yves’ vocals feel hypnotizing and holy. Assisting in this holiness is the appearance of a choir in the instrumental mix. The song culminates as everything slows, stretching out Yves’ vocals into fully distorted. 

“Heaven Surrounds Us Like a Hood” sounds exactly as its name implies. Wrapping in sonic bliss, the listener is treated to some of the more diverse music arrangements throughout the whole record. The highlight is the bridge which feels like taking a bullet train to a new land. 

“Operator” has some of my favorite production choices on “Hot Between Worlds.” With Yves’ verse taking the form of a phone call, there is an extra element of distortion. Additionally, the backing vocals repeating Yves’ lyrics add another layer to the fighting going on between the two characters. The sampled exclamations of “be aggressive, be-be aggressive” feels warranted as the instrumentation slams back down in perfect fashion.

“In Spite of War” is flooring. The last 55 seconds of the track is pure musical sex. As Yves restates the pre-chorus, the track builds and builds. Eventually reaching its peak, the song crashes down in cataclysm fashion. Bringing in a level of explosiveness similar to “Heaven to a Tortured Mind,” guitar roar, drums smash, and Yves’ vocals kill. The track ends as Yves states, “Everyone told me you’re a creep.”

“Fear Evil Like Fire” and “Purified By The Fire” are an interesting duo. “Fear” takes on the quietest tempos of the whole album. In conjunction with this silence is Yves’ quiet delivery. They let their voice fall into the instrumentation, becoming deluged with the song. Inherently, Yves is more open, submissive, and intimate, going along with their partner. “Purified,” on the other hand, feels like a moment of silence. While the production grows and prospers, Yves is nowhere to be found. 

Yves does return triumphantly on the final track, “Ebony Eye.” Finding a person who they adore, Yves states this individual as their “holy place.” As the track fades, Yves is told to “swing [their] arms in the October air” and enjoy the moment. 

By slowing down their tempo and keeping a solid pace, Yves Tumor and company have crafted a record that drives at a fantastic pace. With speckles of greatness in every track, “Hot Between Worlds” does not disappoint.