Indie-rock artists Julien Baker and TORRES released a four-track single on Mar. 26 in anticipation of their first album together. Their upcoming record, Send a Prayer My Way, is set to release on Friday, April 18. Baker has produced three studio albums, TORRES has released seven, and the two now join forces, uniting fans for their long-awaited collaboration. Combining Baker’s indie-rock style and TORRES’ country-influenced alternative music, the tracks create an overarching indie feel with undercurrents of folk and rock.
In 2015, Baker independently released her first album, Sprained Ankle, which had a very raw feel to it. The album touched on themes of heartbreak, mental health struggles, and an overarching melancholic aura, featuring Baker’s powerful vocals and acoustic guitar. Going on to sign with two record labels, Baker released a total of three solo studio albums, five EPs, and sixteen singles. Around the time of her second album, Baker formed boygenius with fellow indie musicians Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. The trio released their first full album and second EP in 2023 after a five-year hiatus following their first EP. Baker’s previous experience in collaborating with other artists contributed to the blend of styles in Dirt, seamlessly blending the different genres.
Mackenzie Scott, known professionally as TORRES, released her self-titled debut album in 2013. From her debut album to her second album, Sprinter, TORRES incorporated many new elements into her music. Sprinter featured alt-rock and electronic beats, which was different from her debut, which had a softer rock sound. Her sixth album, Thirstier, introduced more indie and pop aspects. The indie feel of Thirstier carried over into her seventh album, What an enormous room, when her music took a country turn. The country feel contributed to Dirt, combining with Baker’s indie-rock style. Over the last twelve years, she has released a total of seven albums, one EP, and twelve singles. The two now come together to create a country indie-rock album, the first track of which was released in December of 2024. Fans immediately supported the collaboration and are anxiously awaiting the release of the full album.
The first track on the single, “Dirt,” combines soft, country-esque vocals with acoustic guitar and violin, creating a dreamy blend of indie-rock and folk music. The lyrics tell a story of going through the motions of life and repeating a cycle. The song’s title comes from the chorus, “Spend your whole life getting clean/Just to wind up in the dirt.” Baker sings the majority of the song, but TORRES joins in for the second verse, contributing with a few lines and harmonies. The blend of their vocals creates an almost haunting beauty, making for a very immersive listening experience.
Track two, “Tuesday,” explores a failed relationship influenced by judgment and disapproval. “Tuesday” has a more country feel than “Dirt,” blending genres while maintaining the single’s subdued tone. The song relies mostly on the lyrics, but their songwriting is enough to carry the track, with the right amount of support from the instrumentation. The song contains a lot of acoustic guitar, which originally seemed a bit bland, but as the song continues, the guitar and vocals make the perfect mix. The simpler background allows the lyrics to take the spotlight, showcasing the impressive lyricism that both artists contribute. The track touches on the theme of repression, especially regarding LGBTQ+ rights. “Asked me to write her mother and say, ‘Sorry for the confusion’/That of course there had been no sin/To emphasize how much I love Jesus and men.”
Track number three, “Sylvia,” slows down the pace of the songs, with more of a focus on a chill pop/indie sound. The lyrics continue with the theme of remorse and reminiscence but in more of a hopeful way. “Tomorrow, today’s worries might turn out to be regrets/Tomorrow, yesterday’s glories will be a memory.” Despite its calm tone, “Sylvia” features a heavier guitar presence, at times overpowering the quieter vocals and taking away from TORRES’ impressive performance. The louder instrumentals draw the attention away from the lyrics, which deserve greater acknowledgement in the song.
“Sugar in the Tank,” the fourth and final track, was the first track released in December of 2024. The song has already amassed almost two million streams since its release due to the trendy yet unique blend of genres and the excitement over the collaboration. From the opening note, the song has a distinctly country-folk sound, with different layers of guitar. “Sugar in the Tank” is the most upbeat of the four songs, featuring both electric and acoustic guitar and drums. The track narrates a story of being head over heels in love, to the point of putting yourself second. “I’ll love you swimming upstream in a flash flood/Wondering when I’m gonna drown.”
Dirt offers an upbeat preview of the upcoming album, displaying impressive lyricism and a unique sound. Blending elements of both artists’ styles, the tracks perfectly encapsulate the newly formed duo. Despite the sometimes overpowering instrumentals, the songs balance each other out. Creating just enough anticipation for the album, Dirt earns a total of 4.5 out of five feathers. Julien Baker and TORRES are set to go on tour for their upcoming album and will play at the Outside Lands music festival in San Francisco from Aug. 8 to 10.
