Solastalgia

Released in 2018, Solastalgia is Missy Higgins' fifth studio album and represents her most dramatic departure from the acoustic-folk roots that defined her early career. The record was inspired by the concept of 'solastalgia', a term coined by philosopher Glenn Albrecht to describe the psychic or existential distress caused by environmental change. Collaborating with producers like Pip Norman and Daniel Mannix, Higgins moved toward an 'apocalyptic pop' sound characterized by synthesizers, drum machines, and layered vocal arrangements. Despite the heavy thematic focus on climate change and the end of the world, the album maintains a pop sensibility, evidenced by the lead single 'Futon Couch'. Critically, it was recognized for its ambitious scope and thematic depth, earning a nomination for Best Adult Contemporary Album at the 2018 ARIA Awards. It stands as a pivotal moment in her discography where the personal became explicitly political and the sonic became decidedly electronic.