The sister trio quash our lockdown frustrations through a vignette of their beloved, balmy hometown Los Angeles, on their most notable LP to date.
Upon the bleak underbelly of lockdown at last shines the unbridled sunrays of Los Angeles - personified by the pop-rock sister trio, HAIM, with their long-awaited 3rd LP, Women in Music Pt. III. Having ducked and dove beyond the notion of being a ‘small fish in a big pond’ rife with male domination burgeoning the music industry, the trio attempt their grandest splash yet - backed by the signature productional sheen of ex-Vampire Weekend’s Rostam Batmanglij. But how far will their male counterparts be thrown out of the water?
Haim commence their deep sea dive with an ode to their hometown, Los Angeles, as well as its seemingly eternal sunshine. Where the starter track ‘Los Angeles’ initiates these sentimental feelings, ‘The Steps’ and ‘Don’t Wanna’ continue these infectiously summer-filled bops acting as the perfect soundtrack to strolling through the idyllic Beverly Hills bound by a spring in each step. And who should be your compatriots for this stroll? Why, only the clear influences behind these seethingly pop-rock acts of the 90’s such as Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morisette, or The Dixie Chicks - forever resembling a slight part of themselves throughout this folk-tinged LP.
In this sense, Haim rarely dare venture outside of their strong suits - keeping within their preferred lane of radio-friendly pop-rock, notably curated over their previous 2 LPs. ‘I’ve Been Down’, ‘FUBT’ and ‘Summer Girl’ all play their part in this musical entourage of pop-rock glisteners, particularly the latter two both acting as apt summery concluders between the LP’s full-length and bonus editions. Needless to say, this concoction of soothing sunshine sliding its way into our veins exemplifies what’s truly needed under this ongoing period of lockdown - so I’m not complaining all that much.
“I can see the angels coming down, it’s like a wave that’s crashing on he ground.”
The surging love of their hometown rather quickly succumbs to the overriding sense of vulnerability from the Haim sisters, particularly at the hands of their various love-hate relationships. Whilst this LP proves to be littered with the eternal tusslings of romance, the endearing touches to ‘Man From the Magazine’ and ‘Hallelujah’ thankfully adds a further dimension to a rather ubiquitous facet across this LP. Dealing with the passing of an old friend in the latter as well as combating sexism in the former, hollowed acoustic backdrops allow the poignant words of lead singer Danielle Haim to truly flourish as if channelling a similar spirit to that of Dolly Parton or Joni Mitchell.
The disparity between these aforementioned topics, however, reveal the pitfalls of the LP’s cohesion. Death, sexism, Los Angeles all prove themselves as worthy contenders in scaling Haim’s latest effort, yet any allusion to an outcome or conclusion clearly goes amiss here. Whilst the LP is underpinned by this discrepancy, the starkly improved production salvages some, courtesy of Rostam Batmanglij’s fruitful repertoire. For their stale musicalities, ‘Gasoline’ and ‘Leaning on You’ would usually mark themselves as passable on this LP, yet much is saved here by Batmanglij’s signature sprinkling of keys, prominent basslines, and soothing vocals packaged neatly together, ironing out such creases and crinkles.
This gleaming bundle ultimately stakes its claim as Haim’s best to date - warranting more than a seat at the male-dominated table of pop-rock. With empowering, self-reclaiming marks of “making my own money...I don’t need your help” and calling out insidious sexism of the music industry, Haim have defiantly scaled over such barriers and perched themselves atop many of their contemporaries. Imparting their most defiant, vulnerable, and mature characteristics, this sister trio leaves us to revel in LA’s glistening sunshine imbued by their infectious temerity - splashing many a male rock band right out of the summer paddling pools of water.
7.5/10
HAIM's latest LP, Women in Music Pt. III, is out now and can be found here.
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