Sprinter is the sophomore album of guitarist and singer Mackenzie Scott, who performs under the moniker of Torres. Her first full length album, a self-titled album, was okay, but felt a but too stripped down and quiet for the emotions she was tackling on it. However, on this new album, we get to hear Mackenzie belt out some cathartic rockers in addition to her usual toned down, moodier tracks. Overall, Sprinter is a much more rounded and full sounding album, though a couple of the tracks here still fall victim to being a little to simple.
The opener "Strange Hellos" is a heavy rocker that could have easily been on an early PJ Harvey album, and the way Mackenzie lets her voice loose on this track is just fantastic. On the following track "New Skin" Scott tones things down, but still manages to create a memorable track, discussing the feeling of coming to a life-changing realization and thus having to try on a 'new skin'.
Aside from the opener, and maybe "Cowboy Guilt" this album is a series of atmospheric and gentle tracks that can seem a bit plain, especially on a track like "Ferris Wheel" where the track just goes on a little too long for the amount of instrumental changes it presents. That's not to say I dislike all of the slower tracks here, I actually love tracks like "Son, You Are No Island" and the closer "The Exchange" which is just so raw and personal, which is saying something since every track here is very much a personal emotional exorcism for Torres.
I'd say if you're a fan of artists like PJ Harvey, Hole, or even more folk-inspired acts like Sharron Van Etton, you're bound to at least find this album likable. I personally though it could have had a couple more "Strange Hellos" on it to break up the pacing a bit, but that's more of a personal preference since I imagine a lot of people really loving the calm tone and pace of this album.
8.4/10
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