Music news
HAIM's "Relationships" Marks a Refreshing and Confident Return to Self-Reflection and Rhythm - Atwood Magazine

HAIM's "Relationships" Marks a Refreshing and Confident Return to Self-Reflection and Rhythm - Atwood Magazine

      HAIM’s highly anticipated return is here with the vibrant, sun-soaked summer track “Relationships,” a carefree and daring song that delves into the tumult of love, heartbreak, and the emotional turbulence of romantic connections.

       Follow our Today’s Song(s) playlist

      Stream: “Relationships” – HAIM

      What’s this buzz about relationships?

      * * *

      HAIM’s long-awaited comeback has arrived with “Relationships,” a breezy yet assertive single that kicks off their rock-influenced, genre-blending fourth studio album.

      The Los Angeles-based sister trio, celebrated for their smooth pop-rock blend, has adopted a more exploratory sound in “Relationships,” mixing retro R&B, pop, and a hint of hip-hop within their signature laid-back vibe ideal for cruising with the windows down.

      In recent weeks, HAIM has kept fans excited with playful previews and recognizable album art, heightening anticipation for their much-awaited new single. For those familiar with the band, the real sign of new HAIM music isn’t just the album release; it’s when the weather turns warm and life feels a touch more reckless. Although California is always bathed in sunshine, “Relationships” serves as the perfect backdrop for those free-spirited summer moments filled with open windows and captivating tunes. Right from the first beat, the song bursts with a light, groove-oriented energy, tailor-made for spontaneous road trips and sun-filled escapades, making it hard to resist its alluring summer atmosphere.

      Since hinting at the track on TikTok, HAIM has been presenting fans with enticing previews of “Relationships” through playful snippets, often featuring Alana Haim, Danielle Haim, and Este Haim dancing and lip-syncing in their trademark relaxed manner. These cheerful snippets have been paired with subtle visual hints, such as images of bracelets with different relationship statuses: “Single,” “I’m Taken,” and “I’m ???.” These cheeky yet significant indicators perfectly encapsulate the song’s exploration of love, confusion, and the complexities in between, setting the tone for an album that promises to blend introspection with lively, contagious energy.

      Wasting time, driving through the Eastside

      Doing my thing ’cause

      I can’t decide if we’re done

      Well, are we?

      And if we are, what’s next for us?

      Relationships, oh

      What’s all this buzz about relationships?

      It seems like everyone’s tangled up in it

      Oh, just wait, you must be new to this

      (Goes like, goes like, goes like)

      You have a look on your face

      Like you’re caught in a lie, lie, lie

      (Goes, goes like, goes like)

      I’ve got you all to myself

      But I keep wondering why, why

      why in this relationship

      Produced by Rostam Batmanglij and band member Danielle Haim, “Relationships” combines sharp lyrical insights with danceable rhythms. The song delves into the turmoil of love, loss, and the emotional whirlwinds associated with navigating complex relationships. With her characteristic cool, detached voice, Danielle ponders the very essence of romantic connections: “I hear a voice in my head asking, ‘Why am I in this relationship?’” Her vocals are both mesmerizing and vulnerable, effectively communicating the tension between desire and regret.

      The production marks a lush departure from the lo-fi, rough textures found in 2020’s Women in Music Pt. III, leaning toward hazy, retro soundscapes infused with undeniable confidence. It’s the kind of track you can’t help but move to, with its catchy rhythm and the sisters’ balance of raw honesty and compelling beats. The grooviness is unmistakable—this isn’t the HAIM we remember from their previous album. They’ve swapped their sunlit Californian rock for something more rhythm-centric and intimate, seamlessly weaving in elements of ’90s R&B.

      Baby, how can I explain

      When an innocent mistake

      Turns into seventeen days?

      F*in’ relationships

      Don’t they all end up the same

      When there’s no one left to blame?

      I think I’m in love,

      But I can’t stand f*in’ relationships

      (Goes, goes like, goes like)

      The result is a sleek, genre-defying anthem that effortlessly melds the sisters’ signature emotional depth with an exuberance that’s impossible to resist. This track doesn’t linger solely on the questions; it propels you through the chaos, encouraging you to move from your seat to the dance floor. It’s an infectious anthem for anyone who has traversed the ups and downs of love and relationships, encapsulating both the struggle and the liberation in one electrifying pulse.

      “Relationships” is an electrifying blend of genres that captivates from its opening beat. With its polished production and vibrant energy, the song amplifies the sisters’ distinctive emotional resonance,

HAIM's "Relationships" Marks a Refreshing and Confident Return to Self-Reflection and Rhythm - Atwood Magazine HAIM's "Relationships" Marks a Refreshing and Confident Return to Self-Reflection and Rhythm - Atwood Magazine HAIM's "Relationships" Marks a Refreshing and Confident Return to Self-Reflection and Rhythm - Atwood Magazine HAIM's "Relationships" Marks a Refreshing and Confident Return to Self-Reflection and Rhythm - Atwood Magazine HAIM's "Relationships" Marks a Refreshing and Confident Return to Self-Reflection and Rhythm - Atwood Magazine HAIM's "Relationships" Marks a Refreshing and Confident Return to Self-Reflection and Rhythm - Atwood Magazine

Other articles

Marika Hackman enlists Laura Marling to appear on the new rendition of 'Skin'.

Marika Hackman enlists Laura Marling to appear on the new rendition of 'Skin'.

The collaboration celebrates the tenth anniversary of Marika’s debut album, ‘We Slept At Last’.

Green Star's "Four-O-Five" is an Eye-Opener.

Green Star's "Four-O-Five" is an Eye-Opener.

The London-based trio green star has released their latest single, 'four-o-five'. The members of the band come from various cities, various countries, and different backgrounds.

The Horrors - Nocturnal Life

The Horrors - Nocturnal Life

An album where The Horrors work late into the night with a fresh intensity.

SME Is Paving The Way For Black British Creators

SME Is Paving The Way For Black British Creators

The first time I encountered Josh, my hands trembled. It wasn’t due to him being an especially fearsome presence, but rather because of the unexpected prospect of a complimentary meal.

It's a Wild World: CLASH Collaborates with Sugababes

It's a Wild World: CLASH Collaborates with Sugababes

Sugababes are a distinctive name in British pop music. The evolution of Mutya, Keisha, and Siobhan from youthful dreamers to chart-topping stars resulted in some

Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (and sorrowful women)

Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (and sorrowful women)

Both a significant advancement in musical maturity and a nod to classic Japanese Breakfast.

HAIM's "Relationships" Marks a Refreshing and Confident Return to Self-Reflection and Rhythm - Atwood Magazine

HAIM's anticipated comeback has finally come with the vibrant, sunlit summer track "Relationships," a relaxed, daring, and carefree song that delves into the tumult of love, loss, and the emotional turmoil of romantic connections.