Fresh off a surprise cameo on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, indie powerhouses Julien Baker and TORRES have unleashed their much-anticipated debut single, ‘Sugar in the Tank’, via Matador Records. The track is a bold reclamation of country music’s storied past, infused with the duo’s shared experiences of growing up queer in the American South.
Equal parts tender and triumphant, ‘Sugar in the Tank’ is steeped in classic country textures — twanging guitars, honeyed harmonies, and rich storytelling — but with a clear, modern twist. Here, Baker and TORRES tap into the roots of the genre while rewriting its cultural narrative. The single feels like a love letter to their Southern upbringing, reflecting both a reverence for tradition and a joyous reclamation of its symbols.
Hailing from Memphis, Julien Baker rose to global acclaim with her 2015 debut, Sprained Ankle, a raw exploration of identity, faith, and resilience. Known for her hushed yet emotionally charged live performances, she earned praise from The New Yorker for the reverence she commands on stage. Baker’s career soared with 2017’s Turn Out the Lights and her work with boygenius, the acclaimed trio with Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus. Reuniting with boygenius for the record in 2023, Baker saw her star rise even higher with three Grammy wins and sold-out arena tours, including Madison Square Garden and Hollywood Bowl.
Brooklyn-based Mackenzie Scott, known as TORRES, has been a force in music since 2013. Her sixth studio album, What an Enormous Room (2024), showcases her multi-instrumental talent and production skills, with contributions from collaborator Sarah Jaffe. Recorded in Durham, North Carolina, and refined by top-tier engineers, the album highlights TORRES’ dynamic artistry and relentless creativity.
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