Marika Hackman is back with ‘the one,’ the second single from her forthcoming album Any Human Friend, out August 9th via Sub Pop.
Displaying an unapologetic attitude and a more liberated sound than ever before, ‘the one’ was co-produced by David Wrench (Frank Ocean, The xx, Let’s Eat Grandma) and Marika herself. Layered synthesizers make this the album’s most unexpected musical turn, alongside Marika’s signature new wave guitar fretwork and Blondie style delivery, she’s never sounded as widescreen.
The first song written for Any Human Friend, ‘the one’ is “probably the poppiest song I’ve ever written” she says. “ I loved the idea of inhabiting this ridiculous arrogant rock star character who has totally fucked their career by writing too many sad songs.” To that end, it features a riot grrrl Greek chorus hurling such insults at her as “You’re such an attention whore!”
Marika is a ‘Rid of Me’-era PJ Harvey for the inclusive generation: unbounded by musical genre, a preternatural lyricist and tunesmith who isn’t afraid to go there. Hackman’s 2015 debut, We Slept at Last, was heralded for being nuanced and atmospheric. She really found her footing with her last release, I’m Not Your Man, and its exceptional, swaggering International hit ‘Boyfriend’, which boasts of seducing away a straight guy’s girlfriend.
