Mackenzie Scott is primed to explode. Making music since 2012 under the moniker TORRES, that explosion might refer to her combustible stage performance or her rocket-like trajectory as she prepares to release her sophomore album Sprinter on May 5th via Partisan Records. After her self-titled debut garnered near-unanimous acclaim and got her noticed by the likes of Sharon Van Etten (who invited her both to guest-star on SVE's Are We There as well as tour with her in support of the record), the Brooklynite snagged production help from Rob Ellis, who's best known for his work with none other than PJ Harvey. It's easy to draw comparisons between TORRES' sound and that of Polly Jean; both women have a raw, aggressive approach to both vocals and lyrics that's particularly stirring. Though Scott was born in 1991, the grunge-era influence can be felt in every searing guitar riff and in every powerful, distorted utterance. NPR, Rolling Stone, and a bevy of others have named TORRES on their lists of must-see acts at SXSW, but even if you can't get down to Austin, you can check out the video for latest Sprinter single "Strange Hellos," directed by Casey Pierce. As the song's title suggests, the track and its accompanying visuals are a healthy mix of beckoning and foreboding. Dramatic lighting illuminates Scott's steady gaze, the musculature of her voice and silhouette mirroring one another in the opening verses. By the time the jagged riffs of the chorus open up, Scott's face is bathed in projections from 2001: A Space Odyssey as she bellows "What's mine isn't really yours/But I hope you find what you're looking for." TORRES isn't stopping with SXSW, she'll be taking much of the US and parts of Canada by storm as she tours in support of Sprinter this May and June. Dates for the tour are below. Tue-Mar-17 Austin, TX Ground Control Party at The Mohawk - SXSW Wed-Mar-18 Austin, TX Central Presbyterian Church - SXSW Wed-Mar-18 Austin, TX Pitchfork Party at The Mohawk - SXSW Thu-Mar-19 Austin, TX AV Club Party at Cheer Up Charlie's - SXSW Fri-Mar-20 Austin, TX Culture Collide / Doc Martens Party at Bar 96 - SXSW Sat-Mar-21 Austin, TX The Wild Honey Pie Party at Scoot Inn - SXSW Sat-Mar-21 Austin, TX Under The Radar Party at Central Presbyterian Church - SXSW Mon-May-04 Saxapahaw, NC Haw River Ballroom Wed-May-06 Nashville, TN The Stone Fox Fri-May-08 Dallas, TX Club Dada Sat-May-09 Austin, TX The Mohawk Mon-May-11 Scottsdale, AZ Pub Rock Live Tue-May-12 Los Angeles, CA The Echo Wed-May-13 San Francisco, CA Bottom Of The Hill Fri-May-15 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge Sat-May-16 Seattle, WA Barboza Sun-May-17 Vancouver, BC Electric Owl Wed-May-20 Minneapolis, MN 7th St. Entry Thu-May-21 Chicago, IL The Empty Bottle Fri-May-22 Detroit, MI UFO Factory Sat-May-23 Toronto, ON The Garrison Wed-May-27 Brooklyn, NY Baby's All Right Thu-Jun-25 Allston, MA Great Scott Fri-Jun-26 New York, NY Mercury Lounge Sat-Jun-27 Philadelphia, PA Boot & Saddle Sun-Jun-28 Washington, DC DC9 Tue-Jun-30 Durham, NC The Pinhook Wed-Jul-01 Atlanta, GA The Earl Thu-Jul-02 Chattanooga, TN Rhythm & Brews

VIDEO REVIEWTORRES "Strange Hellos"