I quit by HAIM? Kiara says 4/5

On Friday, June 20th, Haim released their fourth studio album, I quit. It is thematically similar to their sophomore album Something To Tell You but sonically reminiscent of their Grammy nominated album Women in Music pt. III or Wimpiii. Their first time writing a project where all three band members, sisters Danielle, Alana, and Este, were single–the entire album is about breaking up, break up sex, and accepting the consequences of ending relationships. It has the variance of your best friend telling you the story of their breakup and they keep saying “and another thing!” 

I quit opens with “Gone,” a catchy breakup song sampling George Michael’s “Freedom! ‘90” to drive it home. “All over me” is the latest single and a quintessential feel-good Haim song. On “Relationships”, we see Danielle analyzing the cracks in her own relationship. Interestingly enough, since the song took seven years to make, Danielle’s ex, Ariel Rechtshaid is credited as a producer on the song. He produced all of their previous albums along with similar artists such as Vampire Weekend. 

“Down To Be Wrong” is a sleeper hit about being unapologetically “the bad guy.” At the album listening party in New York, Alana revealed that the idea for the Logan Lerman led video came to Alana as she scrolled through “WitchTok” and encountered a video describing how visualizing someone in a bed can incentivize them to text you. Musically, Danielle’s lower register really shines, showcasing their range as artists. 

After the nostalgia filled “Take Me Back,” we get a string of lower tempo, lyric led songs. “Love you right” wants Danielle’s ex to admit to his share of the blame. “The farm” is a bittersweet tale of letting go and physically moving out of a shared space. Danielle sings about Alana telling her she can move in with her to get back on her feet. On “Million years”, we see that Danielle hasn’t given up on love. 

Alana and Este also delivered their first solo songs on the project, “Spinning” and “Cry.” At their album listening party in New York, Este revealed that she is in fact a crybaby, and this song was written after crying in the studio. She also cried while telling us the meaning of the song,which is about her carrying her younger self on her back with her for the rest of her life. The way Alana sings “Spinning” reminds me of their best friend, Taylor Swift.

“Blood on the Street” is raw and vulnerable, but it’s also a certified banger. Case in point? Addison Rae dancing to the track at their headlining show at the Bellwater. On this song, we get a clearer picture of why Danielle left her near-decade long on and off again relationship. She claims she “can count on one hand where she truly felt free” and he “wouldn’t care if she was lying in blood on the street.” Ouch.

Listening to “Now it’s time,” you can tell that Haim is ready for whatever life throws at them. They have each been through hell and back and came out on top. I quit may be sonically impressive, but the real gems are in the lyrics–more dense than their previous albums. Something To Tell You is a breakup album but I quit is the final chapter.

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