ARTIST: TORI AMOS
ALBUM: IN TIMES OF DRAGONS
RELEASE DATE: MAY 1ST 2026
LABEL: UNIVERSAL / FONTANA
REVIEWER: HAYLEY TREADWELL (REAL WOMAN REAL REVIEW)
Sit and listen folks, still your mind…… Shush…….
This is how I picture Tori telling her stories. ‘Shush’ really was the perfect song to begin the journey. I feel like she touches on all the topics that are important to her and this album here, politics, religion, womanhood, love, loss, motherhood; as well as revisiting her growth, America’s growth, perhaps the growth of life in all of these aspects.
The odes to other songs, like fairy dust sprinkled through Shush, and I absolutely love it.
The title track, ‘In Times of Dragons’ I feel further explores the topics of growth and where we are in the world right now. It’s our introduction to the Lizard King. And to Tori as the metaphorical Dragon. I love the theme of the dragon being Tori’s protective persona and through the album the dragon transforms – and when we end on 23 Peaks, it makes Tori’s 18th album feel like it comes full circle, and like it’s maybe not just bringing this album full circle, but maybe this album is bringing her career full circle. I really don’t know, but it’s a feeling I get each time that final song ends. But really, there is so much between now and there.
Provincetown sees the return of the harpsichord and it was a beautiful surprise! It’s been since Boys for Pele in 1996 that we have had harpsichords on an album and this alone was an absolute thrill.
I love the music at the beginning of ‘St Teresa’, it really pulls you in, it reminds me of the opening to the ‘Welcome to Sunny Florida Tour’. And maybe it’s that vibe that makes me resonate with this song, maybe it’s something more.
After ‘Ode to Minnesota’ a song seemingly giving thanks to the people of Minnesota, and deservingly so, we move more into womanhood, motherhood and love. ‘Fanny Faudrey’ jumping out with its jazzy feminist swing, gleefully sending us off into the next direction of the album – Well at least that’s what happened for me. The little giggle at the end added to the smile the song gave me.
But the direction wasn’t one I was expecting.
‘Viens’ is without a doubt my favorite song on the album. The tone in her voice. The music. The lyrics. The mystical feeling it gives me every time I have played it. And then the conflict and the sadness – the fear and the empathy. I hugged my inner child, my children, my adult woman self. It’s deep and raw.
And as I’m listening and connecting so deeply with the music, I hope that ‘Pyrite’ continues the same, it’s my favorite crystal and I just don’t want to be disappointed. And then it begins and we are yet again thrown in another direction.It is so much fun, and immediately pulled me out of the deep emotional place I was with the last few songs. Pyrite is a crystal used for protection and this song leaves me feeling like the pyrite burning in her is taking her protection back as she …… Drunk his spirit down…..
The introduction of ‘Strawberry Moon’ is everything! It’s incredibly sweet and the song holds that tone while discussing deeper topics. ‘Song of Sorrow’ is a very close 2nd favorite. I feel like in this part of the journey the dragon begins to return to her former self… finding her way back home to the woman she is, inspired by the women before and after her. Tori’s vocals on this song are so pretty and enhance the lyrics. When the song finished I sat frozen. There is still half an hour to go on this journey and I feel like I have already experienced an intricate emotional roller coaster. And I have loved every moment of it.
“Tempest”, a very Scarlet’s Walk feel, whilst “Angelshark” has this funky groove behind some thought provoking lyrics. Lyrics tying into other songs, whilst also surviving on their own. And while I feel ‘Stronger Together’ is an amazing song, after hearing the rest of the album, I think these 3 I connect with a little less, but are still beautiful and sit well in the album.
In ‘Blue Lotus’, the journey of the dragon and the woman goes deeper, right through to ‘23 Peaks’, which is just one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs I have ever heard. A Battle. A plea. A shedding and a resurfacing. A re-embracing of power and love of self. It’s a gorgeous way to end this gift of this album.
In Times of Dragons is a beautiful journey delivered as only Tori can. Her 18th Album is a masterpiece of musical genius in my opinion. It will go down as one of her best. Although as a long time fan, I love her entire catalogue and I think this album complements it beautifully.
I was introduced to Tori in my early 20’s (now mid 40’s) and I will always be thankful for that. Her songs and albums have helped me through moments in life, which is what a great storyteller does with their music. We are so fortunate for Tori to share her gift.
I have seen other reviews talking too much about the voice changes of a 62 year old woman and how she is overly political and has overblown repetitive themes of reptiles and witches etc etc, but I personally think those people are likely not fans. Tori Amos is as authentic as ever in this album, true to her roots, her beliefs, her values and how she chooses to share that with her fans. True fans are going to absolutely love this album.
Thank you for this beautiful album Tori, if this is the end, the full circle moment it feels, thank you for doing it in the most Tori way. And if it’s not (I’d love so much to be wrong), then I am more excited than ever for what is to come.
This EWF is handing over to the fellow fans, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Hayley
