Big Sigh

Released in early 2024, Big Sigh marks Marika Hackman's return after a five-year hiatus from solo material, a period she has described as being marked by intense writer's block and anxiety. Co-produced with Sam Petts-Davies (known for his work with Thom Yorke and Radiohead), the album represents a significant sonic evolution from the grunge-pop of 2019's Any Human Friend. It leans heavily into 'art pop' and 'chamber folk' territories, utilizing the London Contemporary Orchestra to create dense, often unsettling arrangements. The record is bookended by instrumentals and features a recurring motif of industrial, mechanical sounds clashing against traditional acoustic instruments like piano and cello. Critics from AllMusic and various European outlets praised its 'visceral' nature and 'masterful' control of tension, noting that while it is her most difficult listen, it is also her most rewarding. It stands as a definitive statement of artistic rebirth, trading the wit of her previous work for a more profound, elemental gravity.