Hold onto your hats, new wave and pop rock fans. Tears for Fears is back with a new album after 17 years. 

“The Tipping Point,” released Feb. 25, is the band’s first album since its reconciliation album “Everybody Loves a Happy Ending” released back in 2004. 

Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, both now 60 years old, have blessed us with their long-awaited seventh album. It is bright, dark and classical; it is a Tears For Fears album, and it deals with themes such as forgiveness and grief. Roland Orzabal revealed in an interview with Sunday Morning that some lyrics in “the Tipping Point” are inspired by the death of his wife, who passed away in 2017 after battling alcoholism. 

The album is 45 minutes long and features 10 songs, the longest being “Rivers of Mercy” clocking in at a little over six minutes. The title track was released back in October of 2021, with “No Small Thing” following in December and “Break The Man” that came out  last month.  Surprisingly, it bears some resemblance to the band’s super hits. Particularly, “The Tipping Point” has a bassline beat that sounds very similar to that of “Everybody Wants To Rule The World.” That mega-hit has enjoyed some resurgence on social media along with other well-known songs like “Shout” and “Head Over Heels”, as there appears to be a renaissance of ‘80s music in popular culture.

While there is certainly not as much synth involved in their tracks now, that is not to say the album is completely void of the band’s original flair. Orzabal and Smith’s voices are still in great shape, and the album is as chock full of soul as any of their previous work. 

“My Demons” is perhaps the most ‘80s track on the album, and one fans might gravitate towards the most due to its familiar sound. They exercise variety with songs like “No Small Thing,” which sounds like a soft contry rock ballad mixed with notes of indie folk music. It dares to replicate the romantic style of other greats such as Bon Jovi (“Livin’ on a Prayer”), with its lyrics speaking of freedom and its video’s visuals showing wild horses and stormy skies. While this particular track feels more acoustic than any of their super-hits, it is important to remember that the band’s mastery of range is what allows them to survive the tides of time. 

In contrast, “Break The Man” could easily be mistaken for a top 40 radio jam with its bright and catchy pop rock sound, inviting listeners to stay and listen to its anti-patriarchy message. It sounds like something that might be played in a department store, but its lyrics and touches of synth are what tell us it is a Tears For Fears song. The band has always been about using emotion and angst in its songs, but “Break The Man” shows how the group has grown up while staying the same, at least a little bit. 

Arguably, the same could be said about “Long, Long, Long Time” where Smith’s signature soft voice meshes with a deep electronic bass sound. “Master Plan” is orchestral and ethereal, where “Please Be Happy” is more sad with a contrasting dose of jazz, both contending with the theme of watching a loved one struggle with themselves. 

Whether you have been a fan for years or if you are just getting into Tears for Fears, this album is undeniably strong. There is no one way to make a Tears For Fears album, and the band has shown that very clearly. Some songs are dreamy where others are more energetic. It is definitely worth giving a listen.

Image from Tears for Fears via YouTube