Erika Torres, the baritone saxophonist from New Orleans, has released a new single, “Holy Smoke,” a song that is breathing new life into the music landscape with its emotional rawness and bilingual grace. Inspired by her Catholic roots and cultural background, it is a symbol of authentic connection in the midst of cultural noise.
The song shifts from hushed vulnerability to triumphant bass swells, with the lyrics shifting beautifully between English and Spanish, displaying her bilingual prowess. The baritone sax breathes both life and tension into the song, creating an unforgettable background tune that backs up her upbeat lyrics to create a danceable song.
Attracted by the allure of the city’s music scene, Renaissance art, and rich culture, Erika moved to New Orleans from Pennsylvania a decade ago. While the move would be a thrilling accomplishment for any artist, it wasn’t all unicorns and rainbows. She had to overcome a vocal-cord injury and the overwhelming demands of life as a budding artist. She channeled strength and resilience from both her music and her faith, a strength and resilience that are evident in her new single.
Officially released on February 19, “Holy Smoke” is a symbol of spiritual strength – both liberating and unapologetically human. Following her previous single “Making Money,” “Holy Smoke” is a significant step in her journey as an artist, reshaping the music landscape and redefining moral faith not just as a performative practice but as a lived identity.
The production quality enhances the message in “Holy Smoke.” The song feels even more real and human because it is accompanied by live instruments. Torres’ baritone saxophone gives the song more depth and texture, and its soulful undertone matches the song’s philosophical weight.
Torres is very purposeful with her voice. She speaks with confidence, but not too much, and she celebrates without being too proud. Her voice is happy, but it also has a calm, confident quality. She sounds like she knows where she’s going, and she doesn’t feel the need to hurry or prove it. That restraint is one of the best parts of the song.
“Making Money,” Torres’ first single, set a clear tone for the rest of her work. It showed that the artist wanted to be around for a long time. The song was definitely catchy, but its purpose went far beyond getting on the charts. It stuck with listeners and gave them something to think about. “Holy Smoke” doesn’t disappoint, building on the success of “Making Money” with another thought-provoking hit. “Holy Smoke” awakens something in us because it combines an upbeat sound and a transformative intent. It makes you want to dance, and then it makes you think. It gives you happiness without going overboard, confidence without ego, and faith without being preachy.
In this way, Erika Torres gives us something rare in pop music: a song that is both catchy and meaningful. “Holy Smoke” reminds us that real faith isn’t something that we flaunt for others; it’s something that we feel deep within. To be among the first to listen to her new single, check it out here.
Erika Torres co-wrote this new single with Isle Gevaert and Zev Troxler, with production by Zev Troxler and Chase Jackson.
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About Erika Torres
Erika Torres is an energetic New Orleans-based baritone saxophonist whose music fuses bilingual lyricism, soulful bass, and raw emotional depth inspired by her immigrant heritage, Renaissance art influences, and New Orleans’ vibrant rhythms. She channels her Catholic roots, musical prowess, and love for Renaissance art into each song she releases. Torres first burst onto the global stage with her debut single “Making Money” in 2025 – a socially charged track that challenged pop’s obsession with wealth, followed by the spiritually defiant “Holy Smoke,” released in February 2026.