A fusion of folk-rock and RnB?
Still with me? Good - you won't regret it.
Haim have recently come to the fore, in particular following performances at the SXSW festival in Texas. They're three sisters - Danielle Haim, Alana Haim and Este Haim (with drumming support from Dash Hutton) - who grew up in LA listening to the folk-rock of their parents' generation: Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones and traditional Americana music. The family formed a band named Rockinhaim that focused mainly on covers. In rebellion, the sisters began listening to 90s RnB that slowly permeated their sound. Now minus mummy and daddy and dropping the 'rock' from their name, the sisters' sound has become a fusion of the two musical styles - sort of En Vogue meets Stevie Nicks.
The whole style shouldn't really work, but it's a seamless combination that's totally natural, as evident on their debut three-track EP 'Forever'. Opening track Better Off, begins with acapella harmonies akin to an RnB girl band before a thumping hip-hop beat enters - "You fucked me up, what am I to do now?". Slowly, the guitars emerge for a distinctly Americana flavour. Forever is more of a poppy effort, with latin-esque rhythms, hand claps and rumbling synth bass juxtaposed with lightly distorted guitars and the girls' folky harmonies. The beat of final track Go Slow is almost dub-step, a slow-jam ballad that combines an RnB feel with pure, girlish vocals and reverbed guitars with beautiful effect.
Haim are taking all the best bits of girl power (think Alanis Morissette or PJ Harvey meets Destiny's Child, En Vogue or Kelis) and creating something that's feisty yet girlish, rich and delicately comprised yet packing a powerful punch. An exciting talent, these girls are wholeheartedly worth keeping an eye on.
4/5
Listen: 'Forever' is available now for free on the girls' website.
