Some family bands get together because it’s nice for relatives to hang out and make some noise. The three sisters who form HAIM, Alana, Danielle, and Este Haim, play together to adoring fans worldwide. Their poppy albums stand a bit in contrast to their rockier live performances, but one thing is clear: this band is in firm control of what they play and how they play it.
Their most popular songs, like The Wire, have a fun, rhythmic chugging groove with a rising chorus whose fuzzy guitar lines hum along. If you love HAIM’s songs and their various compilations with superstars like Taylor Swift and music video appearances with Thundercat, you’ll love these fierce indie female artists.
Lila Drew
At age 22, Lile Drew released a mature, poppy coming-of-age album blending radio-friendly grooves with raw, open lyrics. There’s a lot of space on tracks like “Bad Juice,” and the sparse backdrop compliments the jagged delivery of her lyrics.
These good vibes songs belong on any playlist featuring modern women troubadours pushing the limits of what pop songs can do. Many listeners will rejoice in lyrics that are relatable and frank. They have a wink, yet they aren’t drowned in layers of detached irony.
It’ll be interesting to see where Drew goes next after touring her music through Europe. Her evolution will be closely watched as her fandom only grows.
Lana Del Ray
Lana Del Ray is one of the most mercurial singers out today. Her albums differ considerably, and there are major musical shifts within them. Some artists really don’t like being forced into a box or category. Lana Del Ray is definitely one of those.
Her lyrics can be cryptic and haunting, but the music often juxtaposes any gloomy or brooding feelings. Whether it’s soaring strings and guitars or mellower music, don’t expect the same thing you heard on her last album.
Lana Del Ray has been nominated for 11 Grammys, not including her nomination for Best Alternative Album this year.
SZA
Another nominee for a Grammy, in this case Best Album of the Year, SZA had blown up after her first full studio album. Her second album, SOS, spent ten non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 and broke the record for largest streaming week for an R&B album in the US.
Her lyrics are often sharp, aimed at exes who did her wrong, and they’re also clever, inventive, and fearless. The bass holds it down between the drum machines and synths. Her music definitely weaves together elements of hip hop and R&B, but also straight-up songwriting.
There’s a reason why she’s collaborated with artists like Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Chance the Rapper, Jill Scott, and more. She’s one of the most respected artists on the scene today, and her star is only rising.
The best artists are unique and singular, yet everybody comes from somewhere, and it’s only natural for artists to have links to one another. Nobody would confuse any of the above musicians with HAIM, but the overlap in their fandoms is probably not a coincidence.
