How to Let Go explained

How to Let Go
Type:studio
Artist:Sigrid
Cover:Sigrid - How to Let Go.png
Recorded:2020–2022
Length:37:30
Label:Island
Prev Title:Sucker Punch
Prev Year:2019
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Next Year:2023

How to Let Go is the second studio album by Norwegian singer-songwriter Sigrid, released on 6 May 2022 through Island Records.[1] [2] The album serves as the follow-up to Sigrid's debut album, Sucker Punch (2019). The album was promoted by the singles "Mirror", "Burning Bridges", "It Gets Dark", and "Bad Life" with British rock band Bring Me the Horizon.

Background

After a one and a half year hiatus, Sigrid came back when she released "Mirror" on 26 May 2021, which was later followed by releasing "Burning Bridges" on 25 August that year. On 5 November 2021, she released a Christmas version of her 2019 track "Home to You" then recorded for a soundtrack to The Aeronauts. The Christmas version was titled "Home to You (This Christmas)".[3] On 19 January 2022, she released a collaboration track with English singer-songwriter Griff marking their first collaboration.,[4] however this song is not included Sigrid's second studio album. After the release of "It Gets Dark" on 9 March 2022, Sigrid announced that her second studio album would be released on 6 May 2022 and also shared the album's cover and track list via her social media.[5]

Singles

"Mirror", described as a "self-acceptance anthem", was released as the lead single from the album on 26 May 2021.[6] Commercially, it reached number 13 in the singer's home country. Outside of Norway, the song peaked at number 76 in Ireland and 49 in United Kingdom respectively.

"Burning Bridges" was released as the second single on 25 August 2021. After its release the song was premiered on BBC Radio 1 as residency host Charli XCX's Hottest Record, with Sigrid explaining the meaning of the song as "that moment when you know you have to let go [...] and when you are listening to the song, I'm cool with it being anything you want it to be".[7]

"It Gets Dark", the third single from the album, was released on 9 March 2022, being Sigrid's first solo track released in 2022. The track was premiered on Clara Amfo's BBC Radio 1 show as the Hottest Record in the World. This song which pays tribute to both the highs and lows of life. The single got a new life worldwide after it was featured in the animated teen comedy movie .[8]

"Bad Life", a collaboration with British rock band Bring Me the Horizon was released as the fourth single on 21 April 2022. It marks the first collaboration between singer and the band, but it also marks the first collaboration with another artist in Sigrid's projects.[9]

Critical reception

How to Let Go received mostly positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album has an average score of 77, based on 9 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Writing for AllMusic Neil Z. Yeung called the album "refreshing and even more insightful than her debut" and also states that "the growing artist opts for the positive, affirmative route with the songs on How to Let Go, which merges shimmering dance-pop gems and arena-sized midtempo ballads" adding that this project is a "more established act".

The Clashs Gem Stokes notes that How to Let Go is a record of self-empowerment reading as Sigrid's own personal journal detailing episodes of growth and lessons in love [with] Sigrid renounces her past self in favour of growth and is inspiring others to do the same."

David Roskin from Gigwise gave the album rating 7 out of 10 stars and wrote that How to Let Go "might be a collection of pop bangers, dipping into folk and disco, but above all, it’s Sigrid’s bold and brash journey to freedom."

Izzy Sigston of The Line of Best Fit described the project as "a patchwork quilt of organic growth and reflection" and states that "Sigrid continues to set souls on fire with her progressive yet instantly distinguishable album.

NMEs Nick Levine rated the album 4 out of 5 stars and said, "If How to Let Go is an album about embracing life in all its chaotic and contradictory glory, it’s surely a testament to its success that the record feels so life-affirming. Like the best pop music, it feels like someone’s reached out to say they know exactly how you feel."

The Skinny writer Cheri Amour said that "Unlike fellow Nordic peer Aurora, How to Let Go isn’t a collection of Mother Earth cries. This record positions Sigrid as an alumna of fellow chart-topper Dua Lipa or even wannabe rock 'n' roller Miley Cyrus."

In a mixed review for DIY Bethan Harper writes that "The core theme of How to Let Go becomes apparent: throughout the album Sigrid is colliding with herself, accepting everything she is, the light and the dark. At times she is the unabashed pop star who takes huge stages in her stride".

Pitchfork's Shaad D'Souza compared at least three of the songs on the album to that of contemporary artist Ava Max's 2020 song My Head & My Heart.

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Hitseekers Albums (ARIA)[10] 15
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[11] 23
US Current Album Sales (Billboard)[12] 77

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
Various6 May 2022Island[13] [14]
[15]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sigrid announces her second album 'How To Let Go' . . 11 March 2022 . 3 April 2022 . Skinner, Tom.
  2. Web site: Sigrid Announces Second Album 'How to Let Go' . . 11 March 2022 . 3 April 2022.
  3. Web site: Sigrid shares "cosy" festive version of 'Home To You'. Skinner. Tom. 2021-11-05. NME.
  4. Web site: Sigrid and Griff share collaboration snippet . . Wade . Ian . 3 January 2022.
  5. thisissigrid. 1502260682196144128. guys, it's album time my second album How To Let Go is coming May 6th, and I couldn't be more excited!. 11 March 2022. 5 May 2022.
  6. Web site: Listen to Sigrid's dazzling new single 'Mirror'. Clarke. Patrick. 2021-05-26. NME.
  7. Web site: Listen to club-ready new Sigrid song 'Burning Bridges'. Krol. Charlotte. 2021-08-25. NME.
  8. Web site: Listen to Sigrid's gleaming new single 'It Gets Dark'. Daly. Rhian. 2022-03-09. NME.
  9. Web site: Listen to Sigrid and Bring Me The Horizon's new collaboration, 'Bad Life'. Aubrey. Elizabeth. 2022-04-01. NME.
  10. The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 16 May 2022. The ARIA Report. Australian Recording Industry Association. 1680. 23. 16 May 2022.
  11. Sigrid Chart History (Heatseekers Albums). Billboard. 19 May 2022.
  12. Sigrid Chart History (Top Current Album Sales). Billboard. 19 May 2022.
  13. Web site: How to Let Go CD & Cassette. thisissigrid.
  14. Web site: How to Let Go signed exclusive Vinyl & Cassette. thisissigrid.
  15. Web site: Sigrid. How To Let Go. Apple Music (NZ). 3 May 2022.