Hello Reader,
Welcome back.
Since 2013, Mackenzie Scott has been creating and performing their own music as TORRES. Their self-titled debut TORRES (2013) was recorded while Scott was still a student at Belmont University in Nashville in 2012 and released independently the following year. Followed up by the albums Sprinter (2015), Three Futures (2017), Silver Tongue (2020), and Thirstier (2021). All have been critically acclaimed.
On January 26th, TORRES sixth studio album, a 10-song release titled, What an Enormous Room was released for our listening pleasure out 1/26 via the fabulous Merge Records. All six albums have been critically acclaimed. If you haven’t been listening to TORRES, now is a good time to start.
Credits for What an Enormous Room include:
- Mackenzie Scott: vocals, guitar, bass guitar, synth, organ, piano, drum programming, all the lyrics and producer.
- Sarah Jaffe: bass guitar, drums, synth, organ, piano, producer.
- TJ Allen: Additional synth bass, shakers, tambourine, and mixed the album.
- Engineered by Ryan Pickett and Mastered by Heba Kadry.
Time for some song hype for your ears!:
A good introductory song to what you may expect from TORRES on this album, “Wake to Flowers”:
The questioning of “Collect”:
(All credits and rights to TORRES)
A song that TORRES called a personal achievement from a songwriting perspective in an interview with Alternative Press, “Jerk into Joy”:
(All credits and rights to TORRES)
Overall, What an Enormous Room is a lovely album. TORRES vocals stand out. Their choices in instrumentation of when to add it, who plays what, work throughout the album. They use a lot of refrains to enhance songs and finish the narrative within songs. I don’t think it’s quite as good as their previous album, but it’s not bad by any means. This album is quite good. You be the final judge of that after you listen. Several of the songs on the album provide some energy, make you feel supported, and create hope for the future. Personal growth is seen. And related songwriting as well. Themes the artist was able to convey now since they have felt more grounded since their last album Thirstier (2021) due in large part to a new living situation: a lifelong partner via marriage.
The first song, “Happy Man’s Shoes” features lyrics that are looking towards the future without totally disregarding past feelings. The melody is synth and drum programming driven and the melody compliments the lyrics. There’s use of a few different refrains. TORRES delivery and vocal inflection shine.
“Life as We Don’t Know It” starts with jangly guitars then the melody turns to a more dystopian sound with the addition of strings and drums. To me, the lyrics are about an intense bond with someone yet there’s self-loneliness.
In the song, “I Got the Fear” the drumbeat sets the tone and carries the melody, while guitar and keys join in. The song title is used as a refrain. The lyrics tell of worry, paranoia and some gloom while trying to reassure. Talking oneself down so to speak.
“Wake to Flowers” features lyrics that are grateful and optimistic for the present and future. The refrain often repeated to drive the lyrics home. The melody is minimalistic and pairs well with TORRES vocals once again.
In the fifth song, on What an Enormous Room, “Ugly Mystery” softer drums and guitar create the melody played over TORRES vocals and lyrics telling of a toxic past relationship.
Keys and steady drums drive the melody on the song “Collect.” Refrains are again used to hammer the point within the lyrics home. Both are confident. One refrain is a question, the second is a statement. Outstanding use of their vocals by TORRES in this song. Inflection, range, and delivery are showcased.
In “Artificial Limits” keys, TJ Allen and the musical instrumentation he plays on this song shine here. The lyrics are cognizant, revelatory to the narrator. They’ve broken free.
“Jerk into Joy” reveals the album title. TORRES vocals stand out once again. The melody is perfectly paired and you distinguish guitar and drums. There’s a frequent use of a series of refrains to build the narrative; the lyrics tell a complete story seemingly providing closure in the last few words.
In “Forever Home” drums and keys pair to create a melody paired with lyrics that tell a story of Baby Girl McConnell. A baby that had a sad backstory but now has a name and a forever home. Refrain of the title to close the song and once again drive the lyrics to completion.
“Songbird Forever” opens with a lovely piano melody and TORRES singing. The lyrics about completeness in a relationship and a lifelong bond starting from the present. To me, it and “Wake to Flowers” are the sweetest songs in terms of overall message, on the album.
What an Enormous Room gets 4 out of 5 Scum Drops from me. It’s a very good album relative to other 2024 releases. I don’t think the album is quite as good overall as previous TORRES albums, but there’s still plenty to like. Their vocals shine. As does the instrumentation, melodies and lyrics. Lyrics show personal and songwriting growth. The way they used refrains is outstanding. Catchy. Sonically great. I recommend listening on any format and adding the album to your collection.
What an Enormous Room Track listing (song length)
- Happy Man’s Shoes (3:28)
- Life as We Don’t Know It (1:46)
- I Got the Fear (3:25)
- Wake to Flowers (2:58)
- Ugly Mystery (2:22)
- Collect (2:57)
- Artificial Limits (6:03)
- Jerk into Joy (4:39)
- Forever Home (3:39)
- Songbird Forever (4:36)
Total runtime: 35:47
I’ll always advocate that you take the time to listen to every album in its entirety. This process is usually an hour or less from start to finish. Along the way, you’ll discover your own favorite songs without influence or bias of others. After a few listens on my own, the songs that are highlighted in green font above are my favorite songs on the album.
Links to tour info, where to get this album and others and all TORRES social media links here.
Thanks for reading and supporting good music.
Until next time,
Alex
Scummy Water Tower Productions co-founder, reviewer, business manager, and editor. Thank you for visiting this site, scummywatertower.com, and YouTube for Water Tower Sessions and SWT Interviews. And all of our socials.
Questions, feedback, or more? Contact me: alex@scummywatertower.com
