The Hype

Even pop stars have to wrestle with doubt and impostor syndrome. As she proved on her sophomore LP, 2022’s *How to Let Go*, the artist born Sigrid Solbakk Raabe is unafraid of examining her rawest thoughts. The title track brims with buzzy synths and cavernous drums, an atmospheric backdrop for Sigrid to ponder her role in society and her rise as a cultural figure. “Was it worth it?” she asks, before concluding, “I don’t want to go back to the place so insecure.” As the drums drop out, she practically yells, “Tell me, did you ever love me?” Despite the incisive questioning, Sigrid sings above euphoric synths and drums built for late nights on club dance floors. On “Ghost,” Sigrid strips things back, crooning over an acoustic guitar and showcasing the power in her voice. “So why’d you have to go and leave the door just a bit open?” she wonders, cueing swirling strings and minimal percussion alongside this interrogation. From a festival stage to an intimate campfire, Sigrid has no trouble asking the hard questions.