As the countdown continues to the release of Marika Hackman’s second album, I’m Not Your Man, our excitement is further compounded by another seductive alternative-pop song ‘My Lover Cindy’. Following up on previous single ‘Boyfriend’, Hackman strips down her sound and makes bold brush strokes of folksy songwriting, dream-pop melodies and indie-rock instrumentation. This spareness comes across as reflective, particularly when all instruments cut to an open clearing (1:30) and Hackman’s slight vocal becomes confessional - “I’m a lousy lover, even if I try, I can go for a couple of weeks, and the feelings calcify.” It’s this move towards honesty that the London musician wanted to capture with the new record, as she relays, “I felt more bold and confident to stop hiding things, to stop talking about water, lakes, and trees when I just wanna write about the fact that I've broken up with my girlfriend." Citing Nirvana as a heavy influence, Hackman also turned to firm friends The Big Moon to bring her gutsy vision to life, who you’ll find featured on many tracks as well as the surrealist album artwork. With only a few more weeks until I’m Not Your Man can be heard in its entirety, be sure to mark June 2nd in your calendars. - HT