The Tipping Point
by Tears for Fears
  • Record Label: Concord
  • Release Date: Feb 25, 2022
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 45 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 41 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 45
  3. Negative: 2 out of 45
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  1. Davidwv97
    Feb 25, 2022
    9
    Great production, good songwriting, nice atmosphere, the album doesn't bore for a second. It sounds familiar, but also very modern. A great comeback from two of pop's greatest artists.
  2. mabernethy
    Feb 28, 2022
    9
    Brilliant. Time will tell if this is their best album, but -- at the very least -- it ranks with their best. It has more emotional and musical range than anything previous, and doesn't waste a second. The songs progress in interesting, unexpected directions while containing some of Curt and Roland's most personal songwriting. They take significant risks here, using a bold and varied sonicBrilliant. Time will tell if this is their best album, but -- at the very least -- it ranks with their best. It has more emotional and musical range than anything previous, and doesn't waste a second. The songs progress in interesting, unexpected directions while containing some of Curt and Roland's most personal songwriting. They take significant risks here, using a bold and varied sonic palette, making The Tipping Point both a consolidation of their strengths and a step toward new directions should they choose to pursue them.… Expand
  3. ibu_jac
    Feb 26, 2022
    10
    Sounds from the future. And lyrics to get us there. Joyous yet truthful. Just when we needed it most. Listen. Love.
  4. RamblingDavey
    Mar 24, 2022
    9
    This is more representative of a debut or sophomore album, not a band 40 years beyond their initial rise to fame. The album is lush, colorful, resonant, and thoughtful. The music cascades, evolves, and runs its course through indie-alt, dream pop, and mainstream pop-rock. There are few dull moments, and some exceptional highs like "Rivers Of Mercy." Love it.
  5. henry67600
    Feb 26, 2022
    10
    waouh !!! quel retour !! ça sonne tellement moderne bien qu'on retrouve ce qui fait le son TFF. Son enorme, atmosphère dansante et rythmique imparable. Un classique de 2022 déjà en ce début d'année Bravo les gars !!
  6. Fuerstenberg
    Mar 18, 2022
    7
    Seventeen years after their last studio album, Tears for Fears are back with their seventh release "The Tipping Point". The iconic new wave duo from Bath, England manages to straddle the familiar synth-pop sound from their early days with modern pop rock.

    A thrilling production, soothing melodic songs and soulful, emotional lyrics bring light and hope into dark times. And even though    Seventeen years after their last studio album, Tears for Fears are back with their seventh release "The Tipping Point". The iconic new wave duo from Bath, England manages to straddle the familiar synth-pop sound from their early days with modern pop rock.

    A thrilling production, soothing melodic songs and soulful, emotional lyrics bring light and hope into dark times. And even though the liveliness and energy of the glory days back in the 80s has rusted a bit by now, "The Tipping Point" still is a very modern, timeless pop record proving that Orzabal and Smith still have it.

    My favorites:
    "The Tipping Point"
    "Break the Man"
    "Rivers of Mercy"
    "End of Night"

    ~ Fürstenberg
    March 18, 2022    … Expand
  7. mcdonama
    Feb 25, 2022
    10
    Classic TFF without sounding like they're stuck in the 80s. There's a freshness to this album whilst sounding familiar... the production and songwriter are superb.
  8. turntabledoc
    Mar 22, 2022
    10
    It sounds really big. After several listens, it already sounds classic. Layered and spacious and easy to sink in to. Every musical element feels like a hook. And great lyrics. The title track and "Rivers of Mercy" turn grief into catharsis.

    This is the most beautiful piece of music I've heard in a long time, one that I didn't know that I needed. We should all be grateful these guys are    It sounds really big. After several listens, it already sounds classic. Layered and spacious and easy to sink in to. Every musical element feels like a hook. And great lyrics. The title track and "Rivers of Mercy" turn grief into catharsis.

    This is the most beautiful piece of music I've heard in a long time, one that I didn't know that I needed. We should all be grateful these guys are still at it. Inspirational.    … Expand
  9. MusicGuyMack
    Mar 15, 2022
    9
    Simultaneously sounding aged to perfection as well as perfectly in tune with the pop landscape of today, "The Tipping Point" deftly demonstrates how some things only get better with age as Tears for Fears combine glittering synths, slinky guitars, and crisp, infectious pop melodies to craft a record that easily stands as one of their best, if not their very best, efforts to date.
  10. Assjuice
    Apr 5, 2022
    10
    Really surprised with how good the album turned out. Not a single bad song in my opinion.
  11. Metacritic2070
    Feb 28, 2022
    9
    There are at least 4 songs that will be amongst their greatest songs once their career concludes. Really solid album!
  12. Sheppherd88
    Mar 25, 2022
    10
    This is a good comeback! It has various of styles and the concept is solid. If TFF was a new indie band - their debut album could sound ike this one.
  13. CosmoMoffy
    Mar 30, 2022
    7
    This is quite good. Well produced polished sound. A few genres in this. Not ground breaking - but I’m my top 10 so far this year.
  14. Haspadar
    Jun 10, 2022
    10
    A Masterpiece and TfF's first album in 20 Years.
    I have a strong feeling we should be grateful to have this piece of art. It's amazing!
  15. paulprague
    Sep 7, 2022
    10
    After 18 years, their finest album. And featuring two of their most emotional songs ever: Rivers of Mercy and Long long long time

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Best Album of 2022
60
#60 Most Discussed Album of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Beats Per Minute
    Mar 2, 2022
    73
    Anthemic, emotional, powerful – The Tipping Point is a very good record.
    Read full review
  2. Pitchfork
    Mar 2, 2022
    75
    An album that feels like the most fully realized record Tears for Fears have ever made, a culmination of the musical and emotional themes they’ve held dear since their inception.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Feb 28, 2022
    75
    Not everything lands, and not everything that lands sticks. Even so, there aren't many 17-year hiatuses that end by presenting a group with plenty of gas left in the tank. "When I'm 40 years older/When I'm wrinkled and wise," sings Orzabal — and The Tipping Point makes a compelling argument that it will be worth the wait.
    Read full review
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