Recommended Tracks: “Beginnings,” “That Night,” “Great Escape”
Artists You Might Like: Stevie Nicks, Gwen Stefani, Miley Cyrus
There are a million ways to define a woman. Someone who’s strong, fearless, nurturing, clever, magnetic … Women have no limits, no boundaries—even if society has a different say on the matter. So, if V Torres had to define a woman, she would have a lot of words to choose from. Better yet, she could write whole songs about them, and she does so on her sophomore album, Woman.
The album kicks off with the appropriately titled “Beginnings” and the title track. On “Beginnings,” Torres celebrates the here and now. Her eclectic folk-rock style comes through, as heavy strumming, singable melodies, and expansive Americana sensibility unfolds throughout. Meanwhile, she sings, “What matters is the space between / What matters is you and me / What matters is how you’re feeling right now.” It puts listeners in an encouraging place by the time they get to the title track, which follows. Here, western elements mix with Latin textures to create a dynamic and memorable track. As the galloping beat kicks in and the sprawling guitar lines take over, Torres vents about some of the more wonderful yet challenging aspects of womanhood. She sings, “My work, it never ends / It just starts over and over again.”
Indeed, a woman’s work doesn’t stop, rain or shine. Torres holds onto hope in the dark on “Winter Solstice,” a groove-driven track that touches on healing and closure. The winter—whether physically or metaphorically—can be a devastating time, as the light is always fleeting. Still, there is a way out, as Torres sings, “It only gets a little lighter from here.” This light could come in the form of someone else, like it does on “That Night.” Sometimes, it’s inevitable for friends to turn into lovers, and it happens here. Torres gets into the excitement and anxiousness of that scenario, where she sings, “My heart is racing / Anticipating / I’m already on my way.” The lively indie-rock feel of the band enhances the playful and flirty tone brought on by Torres, making it an emotional moment on the album.
Of course, in between moments of hope and love come periods of self-doubt and uncertainty. With “Slow,” Torres reflects on the jarring contrast between youth and adulthood. Over the stop-start feel of the music, she sings, “The storms are coming / Time is never gonna make it right / What is right?” These questions all unfold in a slow-burning fashion, as if all reservations might come to pass in time. Torres continues to wonder, however, on “Great Escape,” which touches on the aftermath of separation from someone. The choruses bring a dramatic tension to the otherwise melodic track, as they slow down and linger. All the while, we hear lines like, “I guess you never know what life has in store” and “Time’s just a man-made thing anyway,” as Torres tries to set her feelings against a much larger picture.
Torres closes out the album with the acoustic-based “I Know Nothing.” The stripped-back vibes of the track make Torres more vulnerable, more exposed. Yet, the notes coming from the guitar are so resonate that they play out like ripples in water; just small splashes of music cutting through space and time. It almost puts the listener in a calm place as Torres reveals, “There’s a way to my heart / Never thought you’d find it” and “There’s a way back to the start / You’ve got to find it.” It’s a heavy way to end the album, but it’s also a strong close. Fans can make their own ending here, as we all truly “know nothing” for sure.
With Woman, Torres has put forth a lot of time and passion. Each song features elements that make sense together, lyrics that evoke strong imagery, and messages that pertain to a woman’s journey. This is an album crafted with intention, and while it might not speak to everyone’s journey, it does speak to various parts. It’s an album to dance to, laugh to, cry to, and—most of all—feel.
Woman is also the first full length project that V Torres has co-produced. She was able to make her own decisions about the album, in a way she hadn’t before. There is a symbolism in this, as women should always have ownership of their own bodies…both literally and in a “body of work” sense.
When Torres elaborated on the project, she shared,
“Being a woman now means allowing yourself to just be rather than perform. It’s being more powerful, more emotional, more experienced, and more aligned with yourself instead of trying to fit someone else’s expectations.”
You can listen to Woman here.
On September 9, Torres will perform at The Mint in Los Angeles as direct support for Sue Foley. Tickets and more info can be found here.
Keep up with V Torres: Instagram //Facebook // YouTube // Website // Linktree
The post V Torres redefines womanhood with ‘Woman’ – Album Review appeared first on // MELODIC Magazine.
