Ever wondered what a love-child band of 80’s era Fleetwood Mac and Cher would sound like? Probably not, as it’s likely to sounds like a hideous car crash of Wilson Phillips proportions.
But what if it wasn’t? What if it swirled and shimmered and stunned? What if it sounded like the ultimate 80’s soundtrack to a coming of age, high-school romance, boomboxes raised high?
Well, wonder ‘what if?’ no more: Haim are back. Something to Tell You has their familiar, wonderful 80’s glow all over it, only this time with added sparkle.
But it’s not simply Haim turned up to 11, it’s much more than that. There’s a simplicity to this record which comes from more than simply just great songs. Every song, every single song, is infectious, exciting and full of flavour. You can’t escape this simple fact, and you can’t help but enjoy it too.
Want You Back even has something of that Wilson Phillips vibe, however it works because instead of saccharine schmaltz it has something of Stevie Nicks’ sass to it. Further on Little of Your Love is fun and summery while Ready For You isn’t tropical, but is definitely fruity flavoured.
Tracks like You Never Knew have Tango In the Night-era Christine McVie oozing from every pore; Smooth, delicious and thrilling. And still Something To Tell You has more twists and turns, both expected and unexpected. Found It In Silence is Cher’s Turn Back Time just less bombastic and far more dramatic, cut against Right Now’s harmonic bliss and passion.
The final two songs are a brave departure from the rest of the record, and in many ways are its most exciting moments. They’re no better than some the other sublime moments; they’re just fascinating in a very different way. The harmonies take centre stage with sparse, haunting and unwavering arrangements yet don’t feel out of place or detract from the album’s overall brilliance. Each and every song feels familiar, you know you’ve heard something similar before but you can never place a finger on where or when.
That’s not because you can’t remember them, it’s because Haim haven’t simply copied their influences, instead they understand the essence of what made those songs brilliant. It’s like they didn’t hear the song, they heard what was underneath and that’s what they are passionately recreating.
This is why Haim are so exciting. They are not just a glossy hits band. Instead, they are spiritually akin to the very music that influences them. And this album puts this into perspective more than the 2013 debut Days Are Gone. It places front and centre the beauty of the music they create. Every song has substance, every song has weight. Yet Haim’s music always sounds light and airy due to the life they breathe into them.
And Something to Tell You is bursting with life, love and so much more.
