by Yves Tumor
Released July 15, 2021 via Warp Records
Reviewed August 2, 2021
Top tracks (based on community voting)
Jackie (94%), Crushed Velvet (81%), …And Loyalty Is A Nuisance Child (56%)
The Asymptotical World is paced very well, not giving the listener a hearty break per se; instead giving them space and taking that space away when it should. Littered with gurgling guitar performances, oftentimes with a glam-tinged aid from over-dramatic vocal performances (see “Jackie” and NAKED on “Tuck”), Yves Tumor fuses noise and lo-fi extremely well. Despite these two genres’ highly contrasting characteristics, the result is a collection of hypnagogic post-industrial pop filled to the brim with horny balladry, sifted through a filter of mature expression. The highs are sky high, but some tracks don’t leave as deep of an impression on as others—“Secrecy…” is incredibly repetitive (no pun intended)—which isn’t something an EP can afford to do, unfortunately. However, this EP finds a niche and sticks to it well. – Cam (7.8/10)
Where Heaven to a Tortured Mind encapsulates the flourishing power of love in its infancy, Yves Tumor’s follow-up EP, The Asymptotical World, feels like a love’s sustained flame burning. Although more subdued than Tumor’s 2020 release, this EP manages to make up for what it lacks in effervescence, in catchiness. Especially with the three tracks that kick off its 18-minute runtime, both lyrically and instrumentally, there hasn’t been more replayability in any other rock music this year. “Secrecy is Incredibly Important to the Both of Them” sounds like an electronically-soaked Joy Division cut, and Tumor’s lyrical flows provide the perfect amount of energy to match. The second half of the EP isn’t as consistently catchy, but “...And Loyalty is a Nuisance Child” provides a taste of the bombastic touch that Heaven to a Tortured Mind conjured up. Overall, The Asymptotical World simultaneously builds upon both the grandeur of Yves Tumor’s discography and the excitement to hear more on a soon-approaching LP. – Ben (Synth) (7.5/10)
Coming off the hype around Heaven to a Tortured Mind, Yves Tumor's latest EP, The Asymptotical World, picks up where it left off. Infectious grooves matched with earth-shattering basslines, and worlds brewed by fairground nightmares cultivate a unique yet undoubtedly rooted sound palette. The kaleidoscopic use of instrumentation throughout this EP provides an enthralling affair with the more mischievous side of contemporary music—never knowing where you're going has an appeal that's hard to pin down. Being caught off guard never really gets old, as capricious output will always find a loving home. Yves Tumor whips up a whirlwind of influence, sprinkles their own flair, and produces one of the best EPs that 2021 has to offer. Yves' next full length project is sure to be one for the books. – Peter (7.5/10)
Alan: 8.2/10 | Dominick: 8/10 | Jared: 8/10 | Cam: 7.8/10
DeVán: 7.5/10 | Hadley: 7.5/10 | Peter: 7.5/10
