Heaven To A Tortured Mind

by Yves Tumor

Released April 3, 2020 via Warp Records

Originally reviewed April 14, 2020

Top tracks (based on community voting)

Gospel For A New Century (49%), Kerosene (47%), Romanticist (21%)

Yves Tumor’s fourth studio album, Heaven to a Tortured Mind, is an ambitious genre-bending record that only further solidifies them as one of the most innovative artists of the past few years. The follow up to 2018’s Safe in the Hands of Love sees them adopt a more lavish and elegant aesthetic as they build upon sounds of traditional pop with the fusion of psychedelic soul and glam rock. Throughout Heaven to a Tortured Mind, Yves Tumor weaves through hazy, soulful, and extravagant instrumentals, delivering impassioned vocal performances that detail stories of love and desire. – Dominick (9.3/10)

Love can and always will be presented among many shades. Tenderness, strength, devotion, and even lust. Yves Tumor’s 2020 release Heaven To a Tortured Mind is love’s every nook and cranny being fully realized. The bombastic explosiveness is met with an equally powerful intimacy, and the record’s volatility is reminiscent of love itself. For every day that feels like “Romanticist,” there is a day like “Dream Palette” right after it; Heaven To a Tortured Mind is a beautiful reflection of not just love, but the emotions that fluctuate at light speed because of love’s existence. An essential listen for any lover and any fan of Purple Rain. – Ben (Synth) (9/10)

Quite easily a contender for the best album of 2020, if not THE best album, Heaven To A Tortured Mind experiments with psychedelia and fluid, soulful funk while remaining true to a listenable ethic. It pleases both sides of the music spectrum, branching out enough to satisfy the music heads but could still easily be found on a pop radio station. It’s the best of both worlds, and not many acts can pinpoint that balance as effectively as Yves Tumor. You won’t find a more funk-fueled rhythm section in contemporary music—with infectious grooves in abundance, all danceable and dirty, thick as treacle. Warp Records kickstarts the decade in flamboyant style with the latest release from Yves Tumor. – Peter (8.5/10)

Dominick: 9.3/10 | Ben (Synth): 9/10 | DeVán: 8.5/10 | Enth: 8.5/10 | Peter: 8.5/10