#hypercolour

‘Hypercolour’ collab with CamelPhat finally out! Was such a pleasure to work on this absolute banger. We recorded it in liverpool & london in the depths of winter, imagining the great summer ahead of us...little did we know. Wish this was blasting out at Glastonbury right now. 💐🏴‍☠️💐 📸 :Sam Neil

Album of the Week – Women In Music Pt. III by HAIM

You can often tell that an album is going to be special when three of the six singles that proceeded its release, do not even make the cut for the final tracklist. This is the case for the third album from everyone’s favourite pop rock sisters, HAIM, who are back with the simply outstanding, Women In Music Pt. III (WIM3).

I must admit, having loved the energy and originality of their debut album Days Are Gone, I was somewhat underwhelmed by the HAIM’s sophomore effort, Something To Tell You. Although that record still had some great moments, at times it felt like the sisters were simply trying to recapture the magic of that first record rather than move their sound forward. However with WIM3, the shackles seem to have been fully let off, with studio experimentation helping HAIM to create some of their best and most infectious music to date.

Opener Los Angeles was supposedly one of the first written for the record and it is the perfect tone setter. Beginning with some jazz horns and a harsh snare beat, Danielle Haim’s soft vocal cords and funky guitar riff soon cut in as she then proceeds to share her demoralised view of LA life over fun, playful instrumentation. It is a fascinating contrast and then the next thing you know, the sensational opening riff of The Steps arrives and from that point on, HAIM are off flying.

WIM3 is very much the sound of HAIM hitting their stride, fully mastering their delightful fusion of country, pop, rock and R&B. What’s more the tracklist is simply littered with career best moments for the HAIM sisters - from the synth-driven groove of I Know Alone to the dreamy, summery reverb of Gasoline to the incredibly catchy Don’t Wanna - you’ll really struggle to find a song here that doesn’t put a smile on your face.

However, the record’s crown jewel is arguably Man From The Magazine, where the HAIM sisters present a stripped back, two minute takedown of sexism in music, inspired by both their own personal experiences and broader tales of women within the industry. Recorded in a single take, the sound is incredibly raw and the lyrics honest, helping the track to really stand out amongst some of glitzier production on display.

Overall, this really is a monumental work for the HAIM sisters and one that I have given heavy rotation to over the past week. Through the clever juxtaposition of the lyrical and sonic elements here, Women In Music Pt. III shows us that although it might not be constant sunshine this summer, there is still plenty to enjoy.

Best tracks: Gasoline, I Know Alone, Man From The Magazine

Tracks of the Week

Hypercolour – CamelPhat, Yannis & Foals

The British Dance duo have finally fulfilled their wish of working with Foals frontman Yannis Philippakis, with the creatives gloriously combining on this year’s summer anthem. Euphoric!

Parasite Eve – Bring Me The Horizon

Sheffield’s rock giants do not do dull and Parasite Eve is another fascinating colossus. Tribal cries, atmospheric synths, horns, huge metal riffs and a constant undercurrent of menace – this one has a bit of everything.

Wash Us In The Blood – Kanye West

With his last two solo efforts ye and Jesus In King underwhelming, Wash Us In The Blood offers a revitalised, Yeezus-era Mr. West. With timely lyrics, a welcome Travis Scott feature and some incredible production work from Dr. Dre, Yeezy season is very much approaching.

Ego Death – Ty Dolla $ign, Kanye West, FKA Twigs & Skrillex

If these four artists on a track together is not enough to make you check this one out, then the fact that it brilliantly fuses old-school dance with a modern bass beat should do the trick. Also, just when you think you know where this track is heading, these four will quickly flip the script on you.

Come Back – Nimmo