Marika Hackman Announces New Album 'Big Sigh,' Shares "Hanging"

It's the follow-up to 2019's 'Any Human Friend'

BY Megan LaPierrePublished Oct 11, 2023

English singer-songwriter Marika Hackman is ready to let it all out with the release of her fourth studio album, previewed today by new single "Hanging."

Big Sigh is out on January 12 through Chrysalis Records. It follows 2019's Any Human Friend. Co-produced by Hackman, Sam Petts-Davies and longtime collaborator Charlie Andrew, the album includes last month's single, "No Caffeine" — an Exclaim! Staff Pick.

"This album took a long time to make," the artist shared in a statement. "It was not easy, and by the time I got to the end of it I was quiet. I wanted to be away from it and let it sit in its own space. Now the dust has settled and I've got to re-enter the world of Big Sigh, and I'm excited. Stepping into a new world, moving forward, chipping away. Breathe in, breathe out. Big sigh."

"I'd always produced on my records, but I'd never backed myself enough to actually say that I had," Hackman added. "I liked being a sponge and I saw the first two thirds of my career as a learning experience — I would sit back in a slightly deferential position to allow the dynamic to work. With this album I got to a point where I realized I'd done the learning, I knew what to do."

New single "Hanging" is decidedly more subdued than the terse, wiry "No Caffeine," reflecting on a past relationship that inhibited the singer-songwriter's growth — but it finds its moments of crescendo, expertly navigating dynamic peaks and valleys.

Listen to the song below, where you'll also find the album tracklist.


Big Sigh:

1. The Ground
2. No Caffeine
3. Big Sigh
4. Blood
5. Hanging
6. The Lonely House
7. Vitamins
8. Slime
9. Please Don't Be So Kind
10. The Yellow Mile

Pre-order Big Sigh.

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