Tormato

If Simon Cowell had a baby with a Speak & Spell, it would birth this album. YES's Tormato is a technicolour dreamcoat of synth-laden prog rock that makes you wonder if you've accidentally stepped into a time machine set for the 80s. From the moment you press play, you're bombarded with swirling keyboards, jangly guitars, and vocals so high-pitched they could shatter glass. Do you remember that scene in Willy Wonka where Violet turns into a giant blueberry? That's what listening to Tormato feels like - delightfully bizarre, slightly unsettling, and impossible to look away from. Tracks like "Don't Kill the Whale" and "Release, Release" are like musical rollercoasters, taking you up, down, and around in circles before depositing you back on solid ground. But just when you think you've got a handle on what's happening, YES throws a curveball with the surprisingly tender ballad "Madrigal", which is like a breath of fresh air in a room full of loud, bombastic noise. Overall, Tormato is a wild ride that's not for the faint of heart. Strap in, hold on tight, and prepare to be transported to a world where musical boundaries are meant to be broken. In the immortal words of YES themselves, "Don’t be a stranger, be at home."