Sun-drenched California rock meeting 90s R&B grooves. A vulnerable, rhythmically sharp exploration of depression and sisterhood with bone-dry, tactile production.
It's like a 70s canyon record met a 90s R&B tape and they both decided to get really honest about their mental health.
A restless, rhythmically sharp blend of sun-drenched California warmth and the cold reality of internal struggle.
Women in Music Pt. III represents a pivotal maturation for HAIM, moving away from the polished '80s pop-rock of their debut toward a more eclectic, experimental sound influenced by Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed, and '90s R&B. Produced by Danielle Haim alongside Rostam Batmanglij and Ariel Rechtshaid, the album is characterized by its 'dry' sonic palette - minimal reverb, prominent bass, and highly textured percussion. Lyrically, it is their most personal work, addressing Danielle’s struggle with depression, the sisters' collective grief, and the misogyny they've faced in the industry. The album's title is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the repetitive questions they face as a 'girl band.' It was a critical darling, securing an Album of the Year nomination at the 63rd Grammy Awards and marking their transition from pop-rock revivalists to serious art-rock innovators.
Put this on for
Sunlight hitting the dashboard while driving through a valleyThat specific 3am restlessness where the phone feels too heavyKitchen floor sitting while the coffee machine sputtersHeadphones on in a crowded terminal feeling completely invisibleWindows down, humidity rising, and the city lights blurringSunday morning sheets still messy and the blinds half-openWalking home alone after a party that didn't quite land
Moments worth waiting for
The sudden, distorted guitar crunch that kicks off The Steps after the rhythmic intro.
The Lou Reed inspired saxophone stroll that closes out Summer Girl with effortless cool.
The glitchy, isolated vocal loops in I Know Alone that mirror the feeling of social paralysis.
Sounds like
2020s production with a 2020s soul
Sits beside
The Idler Wheel... - Fiona Apple, Modern Vampires of the City - Vampire Weekend, Blue - Joni Mitchell, Pure Heroine - Lorde
Lyrical territory
self_examination, mental_health, love_lost
03Deviation
Women in Music, Pt. III · vs · HAIM
Artist
This Album
Medium Energy
Energy · ↓ −15% less than usual
On this album, medium energy sits about 15% less prominent than across the rest of the artist's catalogue.
