Song of the Day: HAIM, "All Over Me"

When Haim dropped “The Wire,” the killer single that announced their arrival in the mainstream from their debut full-length Days Are Gone, I assumed they would become the next big thing. Even though their albums got solid-to-great critical coverage and they associated with a lot of other high profile talent, Haim never really became the Next Great Thing, at least as far as the music was concerned. “The Wire” ended up being something of an anomaly, as the bulk of Haim’s work since their debut has been less built on songs and largely constructed on vibes.

Sometimes those vibes are immaculate, but they often make for numbing albums. The new Haim album is ironically called I Quit, and it’s the most engaged they’ve been in pure pop craft since they got started. There are bangers all over this one, and each out sounds a little different than the one that came before it. The beats hit a little harder, and the hooks are a little brighter, and the harmonies a little punchier. I like the new single “All Over Me,” which is pleasantly horny and features a colorful video starring the Haim sisters alongside a guy from Station Eleven, the dude from Gran Turismo, and Adam Dang Warlock. My hope is by the time we get another three albums down the line the guitars will get turned all the way up and we’ll get the Breeders revivalist record I’ve been waiting for.