Review: Haim - Days Are Gone

image: haimtheband.com

I first caught sight of this Californian trio of sisters back in early 2012 upon the release of their 'Forever' EP. Their new-age folk pop sound combined with 90's R&B beats, astounded me as it was like nothing I had ever heard before. The closest comparison I can make to these girls would have to be Fleetwood Mac, loosely that is (and that is no way a bad thing.) Anyway, their 70's meets 90's with a bit of 80's thrown in sound was an instant hit with me, tracks like 'Don't Save Me' and 'Falling' had an immediate infectiousness to them the minute I heard them. It is safe to say I was extremely excited to hear their album and it is finally here!

Just as I suspected this album is full of summer infused melodies embellished with lyrics of rocky relationships and heartbreak. However, their R&B influences have definitely become more apparent on this record, especially on tracks like 'If I Could Change Your Mind' and 'My Song 5.' This really is refreshing as it is not everyday you get a girl band that include all the elements of an indie three piece yet manage to sustain fragments of so many different genres and make it work so well. It is as if every song on the album is inspired by a different genre, yet they are all brought together with that underlying indie sound that we heard on the EP. 'Honey & I' for example, combines a variety of conventions of folk music, but has been transformed into an exceedingly high standard pop song. Tracks like 'Don't Save Me' and 'Days Are Gone' maintain their famed upbeat and joyous sound with a slight R&B resonance, especially on the latter. Whereas 'Go Slow' present their melodic strengths, with angelic harmonising and laid back drums, this track has to be one of their most admirable works for sure. Two stand out tracks for me however have to be 'The Wire' and 'Running If You Call My Name.' Two very different tracks. 'The Wire' boasting mostly guitars and an addictive drum beat that is impossible not to click your fingers to, not to mention the catchy chorus. 'Running If You Call My Name' on the other hand, culminates the album in a poignant and memorable way. The powerful vocals and infectious beat establish Haim as a very capable band who know exactly what they are doing musically. 

It is extremely impressive how these sisters manage to combine such a huge array of musical elements and genres into each and every one of their beautifully crafted tracks, but whatever they are doing, they are doing it well.

***

9/10