There is rarely an artist I love enough to listen to their entire album more than once, but Haim is a special group that falls into that category. Since its release on July 7, I’ve been blasting the West Coast natives’ second album “Something to Tell You” repeatedly. It might have taken a long time to hear their second album, but 10 seconds into listening to the first song and you’ll understand why it took four years to get released. Unlike their debut album, “Something to Tell You” is far more concise and deliberate in their experimentations with various music styles, from '80s dance-pop to '90s R&B. It is evident that they’ve come a long way since they released their first album, and every track is guaranteed to be a certified jam.
If you couldn’t already tell, I am completely in love with this album. Therefore, here is a pretty non-helpful review of Haim’s “Something to Tell You”—hopefully, you’ll understand my excitement about it when you get to listen to it for yourself.
1. “Want You Back”
As the second single released before the album, this song’s amped up vibes are easy to tap your foot to. I already knew this was a jam before starting the album, so I was happy that the album started off strong.
2. “Nothing’s Wrong”
The first new song I heard on this album, and it doesn’t disappoint. It sounds like you traveled back in time, to the time when those ‘70s and ‘80s guitar tunes played with your heart. The lyrics might show that it’s a sad song, but you would never know with a beat that makes you want to dance your tears away.
3. “Little Of Your Love”
The third single released pre-album. Already confirmed to be a hit. Let the jamming commence.
4. “Ready For You”
This song gives me serious 1975 vibes—the band, not the year. It mixes modern synthesizer noises with their traditional West Coast vocals. Sounds weird, but it works. Trust me.
5. “Something To Tell You”
In the first 30 seconds, you’d probably guess that this was a slower, more mellow song—I know I did. But then the drums came in, and then the harmonization, and my life changed. 100 percent certified bop.
6. “You Never Knew”
For some reason, this makes me think of classic ‘80s hits. Definitely a song to play when you’re laying in bed on a lazy Sunday morning. A low-key jam, but nevertheless—definitely still a jam.
7. “Kept Me Crying”
Haim really tried to trick me into thinking there was a slow song again, but I know better now. Any song with a beat like this is automatically a bop. I don’t care how sad the lyrics are. If I can’t convince you, then maybe the guitar shredding in the last minute of the song can.
8. “Found It In Silence”
Low-key sounds like an old Coldplay song before those iconic Haim vocals come in—and I consider that to be a compliment. I’m totally biased when it comes to this one—any song that features an orchestra of any size is automatically, in my humble opinion, a jam.
9. “Walking Away”
Definitely my favorite song on this album. It’s so unique and reminiscent of ‘90s R&B vocals—what’s not to like? I’m down for this 2017 West Coast/old-school R&B crossover.
10. “Right Now”
If you know Haim, you know why they picked this song to be the first single from their album. “Right Now” easily gives listeners the best insight into who they are as a band. From Danielle’s vocals to the intense percussion session towards the end of the song, you are left with no doubt that Haim is unabashedly carving their path in the music world on their own terms and conditions. If you haven’t seen their live studio version of this song, please watch it now —you won’t regret it.
11. “Night So Long”
The long-awaited slow song finally arrives, and it’s a true West Coast hit. This is probably the most emotionally baring song on the album that really shows off Danielle’s vocal ability and ends it on the perfect note. While I tend to dislike albums that end with a slow song, “Night So Long” seems like a fitting track. It makes the ending of the album more bittersweet, like you miss listening to it before it’s even over.
