Album Review: Haim - 'I Quit'
Haim are back with their much anticipated gutsy fourth record I Quit.
It’s been a long five years since the trio’s last album Women in Music Pt. III, but I can firmly say that it’s been worth the wait. It always is with Haim.
Their debut record Days Are Gone came out in 2013, and since then they’ve been one of the most well-loved and successful bands on the indie/alternative scene. Collaborating with artists such as Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, and Calvin Harris, they have dabbled in many different genres and sub-genres.
I Quit is clearly proof that this band are completely confident with where they’re at musically.
The album opens with a track called Gone, which is one of my favourite tracks on the album. (But I could honestly say that about any of them, basically.) “Can I have your attention, please/For the last time before I leave?” Danielle Haim sings wryly. Those familiar with Haim will know that they are known for gorgeous guitar solos, and this album further demonstrates that. All of the guitar work throughout is wonderful, but this is one of the songs where it shines the most. The track also samples Freedom! by George Michael, which if told about it, I would think it was a rather interesting choice, but it works so well that I barely registered it at first. The tempo of the track and the way it steadily moves along put me in mind of Gone, Gone, Gone by Allison Krauss and Robert Plant, which is a big compliment.
For me, that’s why Haim have always been one of my favourite artists; the way they can recall the sounds of great musicians from the 70s but also create a fresh sound that is entirely their own.
All Over Me is a very confident song, yet again with wonderful production made up of fuzzy guitars and strong drums. Continuing the theme of confidence is the next track, the lead single Relationships. As soon as I first heard this back in March, I knew we were in for a real treat of an album. Relationships is a fun, playful song, but also one to be taken seriously. The next tracks, Down to Be Wrong and Take Me Back are also singles, and they are both incredible songs that differ slightly from Haim’s usual sound, the lyrics grittier and the production almost more classic. Out of all four singles, though, the one that stands out to me that most is Everybody’s Trying to Figure Me Out, which is one of my favourite songs of the year. The verses are pretty sparse production wise, with drums and Danielle’s vocals being the main focus. For me, it’s the lyrics that make this one shimmer. Then, the chorus arrives, and layers of electric guitar pair with the stream of consciousness lyrics; “Oh my god, I feel like I might live inside of everyone’s thoughts/I wish I could slow the tape down to the point where everything stops/Everybody’s trying to figure me out now/And I don’t know why” she delivers rapidly. It’s a song that speaks to mental health, the way people perceive us, and overthinking.
Then we have two more songs that are also highlights; Love You Right and Try to Feel My Pain, both deeply honest and transparent, with musical callbacks to all of their previous albums in the best way. Danielle’s vocals on Love You Right are as good as they ever have been, clear as crystal and captivating. Neither of the tracks are slow, but both of them are quite melancholic lyrically, but you could be fooled by the up-tempo production. Then, we have tracks called Spinning, and Cry, the former lead vocally by Alana and the latter by Este, which was a wonderful surprise. Spinning is a disco-esque song that nods to the golden era of the early 2000s, and Cry gives me Annie Lennox vibes when it comes to the production, and lyrics that stick with you. “Seven stages of grief and I don’t know which I’m on/I’m past the anger but the hurt ain’t gone” Este sings. And the vocal layering is absolutely stunning.
The final track on the record is called Now It’s Time, which would not be more perfect to close this album out. It’s a funky, very upbeat song, once again with very memorable lyrics. “Just don’t expect me to look back on the good old days/’Cause you never tried” Danielle sings. This song sounds like moving on, it’s direct, vulnerable, and a joy to listen to, like the whole album, and I sincerely hope that Haim don’t quit. Ever.
Words by Lucy Skeet
