HAIM — Women In Music Pt. III (6/26/20)
I’ve been a casual fan of the Haim sisters since their 2013 debut album Days Are Gone. It was “The Wire” and “If I Could Change Your Mind” that really had me swooning. I haven’t actually listened to anything else from that album since.
Their 2017 sophomore Something to Tell You didn’t pull me in any further but I found another favourite in “Right Now.”
Despite my underwhelming reaction, there’s no denying how much of a force HAIM has been in alternative music over the last several years.
Their third album lightly touches on experiences they’ve had as women in music, most overtly on “Man from the Magazine.” It addresses a question from an interviewer who asked Este (bassist) if she made the faces she made on stage in bed. The song is a lesson for men to consider how you might be making a woman feel and you can hear the frustration when vocalist Danielle sings, “You don’t know how it feels/To be the cunt.”
Most of the album though is about pretty standard topics; from relationships (“Don’t Wanna,” “The Steps,” “Another Try”) to relatable bouts of unhappiness (“I’ve Been Down,” “Up from a Dream”) to hook-ups (“3 AM”).
There’s a live energy to the music and it feels far from fully polished, which I find neither adds nor takes away from the overall enjoyment…though I do tend to lean more towards HAIM’s polished side.
Their harmonizing vocals help add a shine to “Leaning On You.” The three sisters' voices make a mesmerizing combination as they sing about finding that someone who accepts you despite your flaws. Co-producer Rostam (formerly of Vampire Weekend) plays a 12-string acoustic, and the instrumental bridge features my favourite guitar of the album, giving off a bit of a Fleetwood Mac presence.
You get a more textured and subdued sound on “I Know Alone.” Guitar plays a big role on the album and this song shows more focus on bass along with 808 drums. Again, the harmonizing vocals in the chorus add such a smooth quality to the song and I find myself more drawn to the softer melody.
It’s “Gasoline” where I find this album at its best. Maybe it’s my preference towards a nice tight drum pattern because the drums on this one create such a cool breakbeat rhythm. It’s also very cool to see vocalist Danielle in action behind the kit in the live video.
I love the soothing aspects of HAIM’s music and this song shows that side off so well. Like a lot of the album, it seems to be a commentary on a certain relationship, the gasoline being used to define something you just can’t rid yourself of.
The Los Angeles sister trio has put out what many would say is the best album of their career so far and while you’ll find quite a bit of pep to their step, I’ve come to find myself much more appreciative when they slow things down a bit.
