Album Review: Marika Hackman Debuts Her Genius In “I’m Not Your Man”
It is pretty clear from my previous review that I LOVE Marika Hackman. The Londonite is about to debut her album on June 2, and defines coolness with ease. With 15 meticulously made tracks, Hackman approaches femininity with a nuance and sincerity that kicks out all pesky fears and fodder that could cloud the term. In a time when being a woman is mutually empowered and threatened, Hackman’s new album, I’m Not Your Man, might be one of the few albums that does what it desires; adds human conversation and commentary to a divisive subject.
Marika Hackman – Violet (Live From Marika’s Bedroom)
Believe it or not , femininity, is considered a hard, even annoying, topic for some to discuss. What it means, how it manifests, and whether it should be respected and realized are questions that plague this universal energy, but to Marika Hackman it is more than a mass spiritual dilemma; it is a daily, individual challenge. From settling in relationships, feeling like a boring, less version of yourself, and mutually wanting everything and nothing to do with the world, Hackman reveals that being a woman is tied to being human, which mean women are human. A revolutionary thought, I know! Yet, each song carries an intimacy and beauty that will make this debut a hard one to beat. “BlahBlahBlah”, “Apple Tree”, and “Gina World” make Hackman appear like a mystical troubadour; magically appearing in your daily routine to sing to the rollercoaster of negativity and positivity that rises and dives in your heart. With instrumentals that never clamor too loud or hush to softly, she arranges her songs to, at least sonically, achieve the balance she wishes for soulfully. Hackman has an uncanny way of showing that to feel everything and nothing are just the natural waves of human sentiment, and are not some maniacal “sign” of female derangement, as it can be defined. “My Lover Cindy”, “Round We Go”, and “Cigarette” show that the mundane and magic of your life are constantly swinging at each other as you decide what/ who to keep on your living journey. Hence, there is something deeply personal about I’m Not Your Man, and explains why Hackman’s voice is the equivalent to a lit candle in a dark room.
Marika Hackman – Boyfriend
Hackman’s voice is the prime example that vocal power does not derive in range as much as prowess. It is how you use your voice rather than what you have to use that defines a good singer. In tracks like, “Violet”, “AM”, and “Eastbound Train”, Hackman’s voice and style fall upon her rolling guitar melodies like a feather landing upon grass. She is quiet and gentle enough to land with grace, but clearly stands out as something different than the nature she is setting upon. This capacity allows for her intelligence and wisdom as a songwriter to radiate and inspire listeners. Moreover, it breeds a common-ground with them as she becomes the voice for every woman/ person that felt out of place in their own skin. Hackman clearly knows that being a woman is not easy because being human is not easy, and such a connect may seem obvious, but Hackman has made a debut that assures it no longer goes ignored. For More Information On Marika Hackman and To Buy I’m Not Your Man On June 2 Click Here.
Marika Hackman – My Lover Cindy (Official Video)