Julien Baker and TORRES Illuminate Longing and Identity in ‘Sylvia’

One of two singles recently released as part of their upcoming album, ‘Send A Prayer My Way’, ‘Sylvia’ is a stunning collision of vulnerability and power from two of indie rock’s most singular voices; Julien Baker and TORRES. 

The track is a slow-burning meditation on identity, longing, and the fleeting nature of time, carried by Baker’s delicate guitar work and the duo’s aching harmonies.

The song opens in classic Julien Baker fashion - sparse, intimate, and arresting. Her soft, melancholic chords create a space of contemplation before TORRES’ voice enters, richly weighted, adding layers of depth. As the arrangement gradually expands, so too does the emotional intensity, culminating in a cathartic swell where their voices entwine in a perfect balance of fragility and force.

Lyrically, ‘Sylvia’ is a poignant exploration of self-doubt and existential searching. Baker delivers the devastating lines, "Neither of my two minds / Can decide if I’m at home", encapsulating the internal push-and-pull of uncertainty and the feeling of never quite belonging. Meanwhile, TORRES offers a gut-punch of yearning with, "What’s it even mean to have everything / If I can’t share it with my girl?" - a lyric that throbs with both love and loneliness. The amalgamation of songwriting performs a quiet plea for connection in the face of isolation.

Musically, ‘Sylvia’ thrives on its gradual ascent. The song never rushes toward a climax but instead swells organically, layering tremolo-soaked guitar and haunting vocal harmonies that build a slow-burning intensity. The rhythm section remains sparse but effective, with muted percussion and thoughtful synths subtly reinforcing the song’s emotional weight. By the time the final refrain arrives, Baker and TORRES’ voices intertwine in a way that feels both instinctual and cathartic. Julien’s gentle sound drifts like smoke, while TORRES grounds the song with her weightier, more commanding tone.

Time itself feels like an ever-present spectre in the song’s lyricism as the pair reflect on the fleeting nature of the past and the weight of the future: "Tomorrow, today’s worries might turn out to be regrets / Tomorrow, yesterday’s glories will be a memory". This final verse is a striking moment, a realisation that every emotion - joy, sorrow, uncertainty - eventually dissolves into something else, leaving only the echoes behind.

What makes ‘Sylvia’ truly special is the way Baker and TORRES’ voices interact. Baker’s breathy, plaintive delivery finds its counterpoint in TORRES’ resonant, full-bodied timbre, their distinct styles elevating the song’s emotional depth. There’s an undeniable chemistry between them, an understanding of each other's artistry of which makes this collaboration feel both natural and revelatory.

Within Julien Baker’s musical catalogue (filled with songs that cut to the bone), ‘Sylvia’ stands out as a triumph. The single is beautiful in its sorrow, devastating in its honesty, and unforgettable in its execution. It’s not just a song; it’s a moment of raw, unfiltered emotion that lingers long after the music fades.

Ellie McWilliam

@elliemcwilliam 

Image: Ybru Yildiz

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