Julien Baker and TORRES - Send a Prayer My Direction

      Album Review



       4 Stars: A powerful affirmation of resilience and cautious optimism.

























       Reviewer: Daisy Carter



       Released: 18th April 2025



       Label: Matador







       An album that has seemingly been anticipated since Julien Baker and TORRES (Mackenzie Scott) first shared the stage back in 2016, ‘Send A Prayer My Way’ represents a convergence of creativity, showcasing a deeply affecting project that symbolizes courage and the queer community. It’s clear that country music is thriving at the moment—evident in the recent work of artists like Beyoncé and Chappell Roan—but, similar to their pop peers, Julien and Mackenzie provide much more than just following a trend. The opening track ‘Dirt’ sets the stage for the emotional depth that follows; it serves as a raw acknowledgment of harmful patterns and self-destruction. When Mackenzie’s deeper voice responds to Julien’s sorrowful plea halfway through, their poignant harmony is nearly heartbreaking. By drawing on established themes in the genre such as addiction (‘Bottom Of The Bottle’; ‘Off The Wagon’) and rural imagery (‘No Desert Flower’), the duo reconceptualizes country music through a contemporary, queer lens. This includes addressing the lasting impact of youthful romantic experiences (“And now I know that your shame was not mine / And I am perfect in my Lord’s eyes,” Mackenzie asserts on ‘Tuesday’). Additionally, it incorporates subtle references to the socio-political landscape of the USA (“I can endure more than a bit of rain / If the going gets tough, I won’t shrink away / And the passing years won’t erase me,” from ‘No Desert Flower’). Amidst the sorrow, there is also genuine warmth: consider the lead single ‘Sugar In The Tank,’ a subtly uplifting tribute to LGBTQ+ identity that borrows its title from a Southern expression for homosexuality. Individually, Julien Baker and TORRES are both captivating, profound songwriters; together, their collaboration is a powerful affirmation of resilience and hopeful uncertainty.























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