An amalgamation of choral sadness

Marika Hackman created a whole world within the album Big Sigh. Her combination of layered vocals, atmospheric textures, and dismal lyrics is an ability many wish they had. The English singer-songwriter has been dormant for the last four years before this release on January 12th. She states that Big Sigh was the hardest record she’s ever had to make. 

The album begins with an instrumental titled, “The Ground.” The track contains orchestral elements with unintelligible vocals. A soft, warm bass makes the song feel full. This introduction showcases the vibe of the rest of the album as the mellowness builds and swells to create a dramatic piece of music. However, the entirety of the album is not a replica of this first song. As the listener progresses through the album, the next song they will hear is “No Caffeine,” an upbeat and fun change of pace. This song has grungy drums and deep guitars with short spurts of vocals about distracting yourself from reality. A lot of the lyrics within this album are glum, especially in songs like “Hanging” and “Please Don’t Be So Kind.”  The sadness has a strong effect on a listener and can be felt through the music.

One element that Hackman uses multiple times within Big Sigh is layered vocals with a chorus effect manipulating her tone. This can be heard well in “Vitamins.” These choral effects create a wonderfully full and almost robotic feel while Hackman combines it with instruments like acoustic guitars. The album does a good job of combining many different genre elements and making them all sound cohesive together. 

This album has its moments of slowness and gloom but remains an excellent listen. The targeted audience will enjoy this album and the ability to pick apart its many aspects.