When it comes to the new Haim album, we’ve got something to tell you.
The soft rock/R&B trio is back with its long-awaited sophomore album, and one week after release day, our writers are ready to go deep. Four years in the making, is Something to Tell You an iconic album we’ll be coming back to for even longer?
“I like the album a lot. It’s not a strong love. There’s a couple tracks I really, really like,” says editorial assistant Lyndsey Havens. “I think it’s really important they’re still around because there is a lack of female rock-alternative acts.”
Outside punk and DIY rock, female-led bands are no doubt underrepresented, and the Haim sisters’ presence marks a breath of fresh, harmony-laced air. Something to Tell You is a fine-tuned joyride through decades of past pop touchstones — ’70s AM radio melodies, ’80s synth sparkle, ’90s R&B thump. It’s nothing if not proficient, but all three podcasters — Havens, music editor Jason Lipshutz, and host/staff writer Chris Payne, were left wanting a little more.
“They are definitely building towards that arena status,” Lipshutz says. “I don’t think they’re there yet but it’ll be interesting to see if these songs break out and cross over… I don’t think they have that signature hit yet.”
We’d like to see them let their freak flag fly a little more; case-in-point, Lipshutz recalls interviewing Este Haim, who gushed about her childhood love of nu metal.
Listen above for more insider insights, along with a couple other pertinent discussion topics. The iPod has a starring role in the summer smash Baby Driver; could we have an actual iPod comeback on our hands? Or even a Discman revival? And speaking of iPods, the gang gives its thoughts on Jet’s boorish EDM-rock comeback single with the Bloody Beetroots.
#AlternativeFacts is a weekly Billboard podcast devoted to all things alternative music. Click here to subscribe to the #AlternativeFacts Podcast on iTunes. Let us know what you think on Twitter (@cpayneonaplane) and by rating the podcast on iTunes.