2c:T4ae,Big Sigh sees Marika leave the carnal days of her 20s behind, crafting a beautiful and complex piece of work which is less a photo-real documentation of the moment, but more like an artist peering through a gap in a door to reassess her former life. Big Sigh - the “hardest record” Marika has ever made - is, as its title suggests, a release of sorts. It is an edifying blend of sadness, stress and lust, but mostly - and crucially - that of relief. Previously released singles in the lead up to the album were the anxiety fighting anthem “No Caffeine”, contrast capturing “Hanging”, the steaming hot “Slime” a song about the tremulous beginnings of a relationship, which was Playlisted at BBC Radio 6 and album closer “The Yellow Mile”. Where some of Marika’s early records pummelled the gut, forthcoming new album Big Sigh toys more with the mind. Marika’s records have always had a wry, disturbing preoccupation with bodily expulsions - blood, puke and beyond. These are all the physical elements of being alive that make Marika feel out of control, the ones she so desperately avoids in real life but on this album she confronts corporeality with brutal honesty.2d:T4af,Johnny Flynn is a singer, composer, musician, and actor. His musical releases to date include the albums A Larum (2008), Been Listening (2010), Country Mile (2013), and Sillion (2017). He has released two full live albums, Live in Washington DC, Solo (2014) and Live at the Roundhouse (2018) and various EPs and soundtracks. As well as touring the world with his band, Johnny regularly composes music for film, TV and theatre - including work for period instruments at the Globe Theatre. Johnny’s recent acting projects include Hangmen and True West (for which he also composed the music) on stage and Emma, Beast, Stardust and The Dig on film. His new album written with Robert Macfarlane, The Moon Also Rises, is out now.

Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit

Cosmo Sheldrake

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