With the triumvirate of googly-eyed rhythms, sinfully catchy melodies and a breeziness that seems only fitting, they’ve served up one of the most auspicious debuts of the year.
Overall, Days Are Gone showcases the band’s individual strengths that have been pulled together to create a collective group with intensity and depth of potential.
Hook-heavy hummability abounds, but most interesting are the newer "My Song" and "Let Me Go"--darkly atmospheric chunks of contemporary R&B/Hip-pop. [Oct 2013, p.68]
This band is a breath of fresh air. The harmonies, song structures, melodies, and vocal arranges are absolutely breath-taking! It will keep meThis band is a breath of fresh air. The harmonies, song structures, melodies, and vocal arranges are absolutely breath-taking! It will keep me hooked until their next album.…Expand
Haim brings a new and tasteful flavor to the pop and folk genre that could not be replicated by anyone other than a band of sisters who grewHaim brings a new and tasteful flavor to the pop and folk genre that could not be replicated by anyone other than a band of sisters who grew up listening to the sound that attributed and influenced the sound they have acquired as of now. It's fresh, smooth, and just emotional. "If I Could Chance Your Mind" is definitely one of my favorites.…Expand
This is quite possibly my favourite debut album of the year. It definitely slips quite effortlessly into the great debuts of all time. Upbeat,This is quite possibly my favourite debut album of the year. It definitely slips quite effortlessly into the great debuts of all time. Upbeat, polished without being boring. Superb.…Expand
While the influences are there for all to hear, HAIM do bring something fresh to the indie pop table. "Day Are Gone" at times has a lateWhile the influences are there for all to hear, HAIM do bring something fresh to the indie pop table. "Day Are Gone" at times has a late 70's/early 80's feel but in the best possible way. At the same time the record feels current which makes it widely appealling while at the same time standing out. Rather than containing any standout tracks, the album is consistent throughout, maintaining a high level of quality from start to finish. HAIM are tight and you can tell that they have put a lot of time into the writing of their material. The closer you listen, the more you can hear the layers in each track. The more you listen, the more you enjoy it. It's engaging pop music but challenges you. What more do you want?…Expand
Ask any girl, not many of them will like rock, some will but in retrospect some won't. It's a cultural stereotype that they will like pop orAsk any girl, not many of them will like rock, some will but in retrospect some won't. It's a cultural stereotype that they will like pop or something along the lines of that and we're all guilty of this form of labeling. With Haim's musical roots, they bring a unique force on this album with this style. It's unexpected from a girl band, and yet it's still strangely safe for them as well. It's Fleetwood Mac's Rumours meets Michael Jackson's Thriller, just to put it explicitly. It's seems new, but then again the roots and inspirations are still evident, and its influence will be greatly appreciated.
Days Are Gone isn't anything new lyrically as well, lacking flow and grace at some points but not so much to be a nuisance. Musically, it is incredibly interesting and intriguing, and with Haim behind the wheel, letting them drive us through their journey is probably our best decision yet.…Expand
This album is divided into two different journeys.
The first half (Tracks 1-7) is very assertive, focused and intentional. With top-tierThis album is divided into two different journeys.
The first half (Tracks 1-7) is very assertive, focused and intentional. With top-tier production that will not shame the big names, great hooks, very energized melodies and vocals, and very wise arrangements and structures.
The second part (Tracks 8-13) of the album is more experimental, brave, and raw. Here we get the rock version of HAIM, with lots of creativity and a more chilled feeling overall... It's not as shiny as the first part but it's got its own spark, and I'm sure a lot of people would like that part better.
Favorite tracks: Falling, Forever, Don't Save Me, My Song 5…Expand
I pre-ordered "Days Are Gone" because I loved HAIM's 2013 iTunes concert set, which combined raw rock with catchy pop. When the album finallyI pre-ordered "Days Are Gone" because I loved HAIM's 2013 iTunes concert set, which combined raw rock with catchy pop. When the album finally dropped, though, my excitement changed to disappointment at hearing only one song (My Song 5) with the energy I enjoyed in the band's live performance. In the studio, HAIM loses its power, buffing and layering until no rock edges remain. Yes, it's still possible to hear some smoking guitar riffs, but they're buried so deep in the mix that most listeners will miss them. Or not miss them, judging by the rave reviews on this site....…Expand
Throughout the coming weeks, we'll be collecting year-end top 10 album lists from dozens of music critics, publications, record stores, and other sources. Find individual lists and this year's cumulative rankings inside.