Marika Hackman is a mouthpiece for inclusivity on Any Human Friend. The 27-year-old English singer brings a self-aware, sexually liberated stance to her fourth LP, which is co-produced by David Wrench (Frank Ocean and The xx) and features brazen synths reminiscent of New Order.
It’s got style but the main attraction is the honest narrative, underpinned by a series of break-up songs about a girlfriend, and bluntly sexual tracks.
Hand Solo, a song about masturbation, sets the tone and also features social commentary: “Under patriarchal law/ I’m going to die a virgin”.
This is an empowering album that validates the importance of the shared female experience far removed from the male gaze.
