Influences: Haim

Welcome to Influenca Radio! Here you can find curated playlists to see who influenced your favorite bands and artists. Cozy up and listen passively at work or take a deep dive into the playlist descriptions. Contact me if you have any playlists you'd like to hear and subscribe below to get notified every time I post (I promise I won't spam you [too much]).

I'm so obsessed with pop-rock trio Haim. I want to start a Haim coverband with my sister and hire a lookalike sister and tour the country. They're effortlessly cool, bad ass, vintage-wearing sisters, and they make amazing music. They have a talent for taking upbeat music and layering over emotional lyrics. Unless you're actively listening, it's easy to miss.

In honor of their sophomore album Something To Tell You, I'm featuring Haim on this week's Influenca Radio. Check out the Youtube playlist, or listen along on Spotify. Keep reading for ~expert~ analysis of their greatest influences.

1. "Want You Back" by Haim

Here's a perfect snapshot Haim at their best. Their father taught each of the sisters (left to right Alana, Danielle, Este) drums, as he himself is a drummer.

In an interesting twist that doesn't often happen in pop music, lead singer Danielle is admitting her own selfishness to an ex and her willingness to change to win him back.

The music video is an apt summation of everything Haim encapsulates: frill-free, L.A.-easy, and fun. They somehow make begging for an ex to take you back seem empowering.

2. "Boys of Summer" by Don Henley

At first, the addition of this song into the Haim playlist seems very left field. However, as I was researching their influences, Don Henley's name kept popping up. And upon further listening, the reviews aren't wrong.

Stereogum says "Want You Back" "twinkles and gleams" like Henley's "Boys of Summer." Pitchfork says the opening verses "glimmer" like Henley.

"Want You Back" builds like "Boys of Summer" and utilizes the same synth pop elements. Low key really similar.

3. "Dreams" - Fleetwood Mac

No Haim influences playlist would be complete without a nod to Fleetwood Mac.

Haim has the same Fleetwood Mac ability to evolve so much yet maintain their essence. They are simultaneously unique yet mainstream, a characteristic of the California folk-pop emulated by both groups. Haim's Something To Tell You is definitely pop, but it's also deep and emotionally complex. Listen to the clearest influence of Fleetwood Mac, Haim's song "You Never Knew."

Not only does the band take cues from Fleetwood Mac, they also have an established connection with Stevie Nicks. Listen to the band's "Rhiannon" collaboration with Nicks here.

4. "XO" - Haim (originally Beyoncé)

Any blog you read about Haim will mention the band taking cues from 90's R&B, and your mind immediately goes to TLC. The female empowerment, the "sisterhood," the harmonizations; the parallels are undeniable.

Check out Haim's most hip hop inspired song (which also features one of my favorite rap artists), "My Song 5." It's got some of the raw beats and gritty lyrics characteristic of that genre.

5. "Brass in Pocket" - The Pretenders

I'm tired and I think this songs sounds like it could be in Haim's discography. Dare you to tell me I'm wrong! It's easy-to-digest chords and percussion. What else could you need?

#haim