Just In HAIM For Summer
The sister trio, HAIM, released their long awaited third studio album “Women in Music Part III” last week. From the first two released singles “The Steps” and “Summer Girl” released far before the entire record, I knew that I’d be in for a lighter sound with grittier lyrics this time around with Este, Danielle and Alana.
The album is the definition of Dancing Through Your Tears. WINMPIII tackles tough issues left and right, like toxic relationships and grieving a loss, with the assistance from earthy guitar riffs and syncopated drums that will keep your heart thumping throughout the entire 40 minute listening period. This album is where I really felt that they sisters finally let go, in terms of their emotions and the forced monotony of their previous sound.
The opening track “Los Angeles” is a disgruntled track about leaving home that would be a perfect fit in a A24 teenage coming of age movie. The concept is simple look at the stream of thoughts that run through an antsy 20 somethings mind when life has become stagnant, but the pull to their past tugs at their heart. The playful horns and walking bassline makes this song easy to follow as it walks you along with the girls as they begin to parse through their pain and face their need to for change.
The album begins by tackling the issues that flair up during romantic relationships with tact and humor. “3 AM” stands as an ode to the booty call, with a playful staged voicemail at the beginning that leads to an internal battle with wanting to settle down, but being unable to get enough of the casual partner in your phone. Tracks like “FUBT” and “Don’t Wanna” detail the consequences of holding onto a failing relationship. Lyrics like “Left me low with my high heels in the parking lot” and “I kinda like it when you leave me at the party late’Cause every now and then I wanna feel that empty space” showcase the frustration that comes with understanding when to leave, but feeling like your not completely ready to come to terms with that idea.
Change is discussed in an even more somber way through the darker moments in the record. “I’ve Been Down” gives me early 2000s Sheryl Crow call-back feelings, bringing a light airy guitar riff to some of the saddest lyrics in the album. This song is a cry for help that I think everyone who cannot seem to put words to what they are feeling when they are depressed could relate to. The repetitious “come on, come on, come on baby” toward the end of the track seems to scratch at the walls, begging the vocalist to be heard.
Another stand out track for me was a bonus song called “Hallelujah.” Alana Haim and Este Haim explained in an interview with NME that this song was a duet between the two where they share wounds. Alana, discussing her best friend that she lost to a fatal car crash in 2012 and Este pushing through a tough diagnosis with type I diabetes that gave her career a possible death sentence. You can feel echo between the two voices as the confide to each other, as you stand as a shadow zoomed in onto the scene. The modest accompaniment allows you to really listen into these girls hold onto one another.
Not every song on Women in Music Pt. III is as heavy. The Haim girls definitely bring us back to their original playful political touch with the song “Man From The Magazine.” The trio seem to mock the male counterparts that seem to continue to doubt women’s impact on the scene. Lyrics like “Don’t make me hear, It is what it is, it was what it was. You don’t know how it feels, you expect me to deal with it, ’til I’m perfectly numb” really help us latch onto the frustration that comes with consistently trying to prove yourself to people who claim you aren’t successful enough.
The album overall seems serve as a large exhale for each woman in several ways. Whether it is death, letting go of familiarity, struggles with mental health, lasting changes to physical health or striving for perfection in your career, there is a song in this album for you.
Album rating: 5/5
Favorite songs:
Don’t Wanna
Hallelujah
3 A.M.
