Absurdly astounding, and here to stay

Mackenzie Scott, better known on stage as TORRES, isn’t afraid to bend the rules of gender sexuality with her alternative, indie rock music. Her third studio album is a continuum on the road of self-empowerment and gender equality.

The album art shows an almost masculine Scott sitting spread eagle, or “man spreading,” on a couch with an open blazer and no undershirt. Although it’s just a position on a couch, this power move usually demonstrated by men of all walks of life, is portrayed by a beautiful and intimidating women who is blending the lines between “sexy and scary,” as she says.

Scott’s first album, self-titled TORRES, was released in 2012 with stellar reviews. This was matched with the release of her second album, Sprinter, in 2015. Both focusing on the experiment of finding one’s physical self in the world. The anticipated release of Scott’s third album, Three Futures, goes into the realm of finding one’s spiritual self.

The 10-track album is a sensual ride through the inner-workings of Scott’s mind. “Righteous Women” is a stand out track on the album for reasons including the fact that Scott quickly informs her listeners that she is not a righteous woman at all. Instead, she uses the term “man spreading” and the lyrics, “I’m more of an ass man / And when I go to spread / it’s just to take up all the space I can,” to ensure those listening that women can be powerhouses just like their counterparts. Scott’s melodramatic vocals are harrowing throughout the framework of the album, along with murky guitar riffs, gentle drums and a touch of the ever popular ’80s synthesizer.

Each song takes a new twist on what is “right” and “wrong” for women to do or believe. “Helen in the Woods” expands on the world of obsession through a women’s eyes. The song, which fades into a drum beat matched with keyboards and a ferociously harmonized Scott, leads the listener through a head-banging ride of “Hey, I can relate to that.”

Three Futures musically hits every note imaginable. Scott shows that she clearly has grown with each release of her albums. She continues proving to those listening that she can relate to the normal women looking for the little bit of appraisal deserved.