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To say that HAIM’s full length feature album is “highly anticipated” would be an understatement. Early on, the California natives (Este, Alana, and Danielle Haim) were tipped for greatness by the BBC and just about every music pundit (yours truly included). Since being put on the indie pop radar, the sisters have become a permanent fixture at festivals, in magazines, and in our headphones. That being said, HAIM’s ‘Day’s Are Gone’ has been on my watching, wishing, waiting list for quite a while and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.
Days Are Gone opens with the easily recognizable ‘Falling’, an early single that fuelled their meteoric rise. Armed with infectious vocals reminiscent of Stevie Nicks, the sisters harmonize perfectly on a clean and catchy chorus. The same can be said of ‘Forever’ and ‘The Wire’ which are the second and third tracks on the album and also easily recognizable singles. The album opens strong with the hits, building suspense for the hidden gems. Four tracks deep, however, ‘If I Could Change Your Mind’ recalls a serious Taylor Dayne vibe, once again perfecting a strong and fine tuned harmony. ‘Honey & I’ is a sweet and tangy near ballad wistfully sung by Danielle Haim.
‘Don’t Save Me’ is a perfect punctuation before the uncharacteristically funky title track ‘Days Are Gone’. Nestled cozily between a dance track and an 80’s love ballad, ‘Days Are Gone’ is exactly the kind of song Robyn would encourage you to dance to on your own.
Razor sharp guitar riffs and deliciously dubious sounding drum beats make ‘My Song 5’ the best track on the album you haven’t heard. Sounding, at times, eerily similar to Hudson Mohawk, the sisters demonstrate what it truly means to have varying song structure and a diverse sound. The song lurches and hiccups in all the right places and all over a Black Keys-esque riff. Bringing the best of classic R&B, rock, and indie, ‘My Song 5’ is probably the best song on the entire album.
‘Go Slow’ recalls a sleepy California haze likely influenced by fellow harmonizers Fleetwood Mac, signalling the album’s winding down. The powerful ‘Let Me Go’ follows ‘Go Slow’ with its incredibly visceral and measured tempo before quietly descending into closing track ‘Call My Name’. Emotional and radio ready, ‘Call My Name’ is everything we loved about The Bangles and Cyndi Lauper in a more subdued and tempered package.
Despite being only being their debut album, Haim’s Days Are Gone is spectacular. With its razor sharp melodies and near perfect execution, Haim helps us recall that Pop music is perfectly viable and doesn't always sound like trash. Nearly every track is worthy of being a single but still resonates while embracing its radio readiness.
Day’s Are Gone is available for purchase and download Sept. 30 on itunes and Amazon.
