The first new Tears for Fears album in nearly 18 years, The Tipping Point sounds both refreshingly modern and timeless. Acting like a healing point from loss and tragedy, it feels like it couldn't have been released at a better time than now.
If you're not sure if you're familiar with Tears for Fears... you are familiar in some shape or form, don't worry. The English duo consisting of Roland Orzabal and Curtis Smith dominated the airwaves throughout the 80's with gigantic hit after hit and an incredible run of albums during that decade: The Hurting, Songs from the Big Chair, and Seeds of Love. After the 80's though, Tears for Fears essentially became a solo project from Orzabal due to the duo's ongoing feud and disagreements with each other. The two reunited with Everybody Loves a Happy Ending in 2004 but discontinued and split after that. After not speaking to each other for years due to their feud once again, Orzabal and Smith have finally settled, made up, and put their differences aside. Tears for Fears have finally (and thankfully) reunited once again, this time with a new album titled The Tipping Point. The duo's first new album in nearly 18 years, The Tipping Point has been through many stages of development since 2013 and almost didn't even see the light of day. Now we've gratefully received the album and the biggest question is: is it worth the wait?
It is most definitely worth the wait! Typically comeback albums feature the artist still retaining the same sound that made them successful in the first place and really don't provide anything new or exciting. Tears for Fears' comeback album thankfully isn't a rehash of older material. I feel like since Orzabal and Smith came back after all these years to put out a new album, it's got to be something new, exciting, and different. Anything less, and I feel like they wouldn't have put it out in the first place. The Tipping Point reflects on loss, and tragedy but togetherness and hope too. There are darker lyrical themes hovering throughout the record while many of the instrumentals shine bright in contrast. The album sounds both refreshingly modern and timeless. You could've put this album out ten years ago and it would still sound great. But it also sounds very today and of this era... I feel like this album came out at the perfect time and it certainly acts as a healing point for everyone struggling right now.
The title track, released as the comeback single for this album, is the darkest of the bunch. Lyrically it focuses on the tragic loss of Orzabal's wife, who passed away in 2017 due to alcoholism. It's an appropriate choosing as the album's title and the song definitely acts as the album's centerpiece or main statement. One can relate; I feel like many of us are all at a tipping point right now, whether emotionally, politically, or physically. The instrumental itself is very new wave and perfectly accompanies the lyrics with its glistening and shimmering shadowy electronics and guitars. "No Small Thing" is an unexpectedly folk-tinged acoustic ballad with an emotionally captivating vocal performance from Orzabal. It's a stunning opener and a true highlight from the album. Another big stunner is "Long, Long, Long Time," which is fantastic. It features these (super) light dubstep-like electronic embellishments and triumphant vocal harmonies in the chorus. I love the vocals on the song and the lyrical themes of healing continue on its chorus: "the hardest part is letting go." With this instrumental, it does sound like it could've seamlessly belonged in 2014 but it still sounds perfect today.
"Break the Man" is the album's best song and is arguably one of the band's best songs in their career. This pop anthem could've exploded in the 80's with a massively sticky chorus, glistening synths, and opening guitars that cut through you like a knife. Originally titled "Kill the Man," it's pro female anthem that dejects the overrated and violent masculism that's dominated society since the dawn of time, similar to Tears for Fears songs like "Woman in Chains." "My Demons" is the most new wave and 80's pop influenced song of the bunch. The recited vocal delivery, the pulsating electronics, and the steadily paced groove make it more of a throwback than the others. "Rivers of Mercy" is a soft and gently beautiful ballad that is an attempt to heal from acts of devastation and tragedy. With lyrics like "well, the streets have been burning / there's trouble in the towns / guess the devil loves his playground, that's for sure," I can't help but think of how these lyrics relate to the current war and tragedy in Ukraine right now and how much healing Ukrainians need currently.
"Please Be Happy" is a straightforward piano ballad that yearns for growth in love and togetherness after mourning. The strings and added horns in the background make it a lavish and uplifting instrumental. "Master Plan" is a ballad that's very Beatles-esque in Smith's vocals, harmonies, piano chords, and instrumental progressions. "End of Night" has these pulsating and vibrant electronics swirling through some excellent vocals and harmonies. An excellent track. "Stay" is a ghostly and skeletal acoustic ballad that closes the album up with a great sense of solace. As far as the performances and songwriting goes, Tears for Fears sound as strong as ever. All of the songs are excellent with each standing out in their own way. The production is refreshingly modern and timeless. Out of anyone's wildest dreams, I don't think a Tears for Fears comeback album could've gotten any better than this. After 18 years of silence, The Tipping Point feels like it couldn't have been released at a better time than now. Who knew a comeback album can sound this good?
My Rating: 8 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Break the Man," "Long, Long, Long Time," "No Small Thing," "The Tipping Point," "End of Night," "Rivers of Mercy"
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