HAIM’s long-awaited return has arrived with the lush, sun-kissed summer single “Relationships,” a breezy, bold, and carefree song exploring the chaos of love, loss, and the emotional whirlpools of romantic entanglement.
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Stream: “Relationships” – HAIM
What’s all this talk about relationships?
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HAIM’s long-awaited return has arrived with “Relationships,” a breezy yet bold single that marks the beginning of their rock-influenced, genre-blending fourth studio album.
The Los Angeles-based sister trio, renowned for their smooth pop-rock fusion, has embraced a more experimental sound in “Relationships,” layering retro R&B, pop, and a dash of hip-hop over their signature breezy, car-window-down vibes.
Over the last few weeks, HAIM kept fans on the edge of their seats with playful teasers and familiar album art, building anticipation for the release of their highly awaited new single. But those who know the band well understand that the true signal of new HAIM music isn’t just the album drop; it’s when the weather warms up and the world starts to feel a little more reckless. While it may always be sun-kissed in California, “Relationships” is the ultimate soundtrack for those carefree summer days when the windows are rolled down and the music takes control. From the very first beat, the track bursts with a breezy, groove-driven energy that feels tailor-made for spontaneous road trips and sun-drenched adventures, making it impossible not to give in to its irresistible summer vibe.
Since teasing the track on TikTok, HAIM have been offering fans tantalizing glimpses of “Relationships” through mischievous snippets, often capturing the Alana Haim, Danielle Haim, and Este Haim dancing and lip-syncing in their signature carefree style. These lighthearted moments have been accompanied by subtle visual clues, like photos of bracelets marked with various relationship statuses: “Single,” “I’m Taken,” and “I’m ???.” These cheeky yet meaningful marks perfectly capture the song’s questioning of love, confusion, and the complexities in between, establishing the tone for an album that pledges to seamlessly incorporate introspection with vibrant, contagious energy.
Wasting time, driving through the Eastside
Doing my thing ’cause
I can’t decide if we’re through
Well, are we?
And if we are, what we gonna do?
Relationships, oh
What’s all this talk about relationships?
It feels like everyone’s caught up in it
Oh, just you wait, you must be new to this
(Goes like, goes like, goes like)
You got a look on your face
Like you’re caught in a lie, lie, lie
(Goes, goes like, goes like)
I got you all to myself
But I keep asking why, why
why in this relationship
Produced by Rostam Batmanglij and band member Danielle Haim, “Relationships” is a mix of sharp lyrical reflections and danceable grooves. The track explores the chaos of love, loss, and the emotional whirlpools that come with navigating complex relationships. In her signature cool, detached tone, Danielle questions the very nature of romantic entanglements: “I hear a voice in my head and it keeps asking, ‘Why am I in this relationship?’” Her voice is both captivating and vulnerable, expertly conveying the push and pull of desire and regret.
The song’s production is a lush departure from the lo-fi, scrappy textures of 2020’s Women in Music Pt. III, leaning into misty, retro soundscapes with an undeniable sense of swagger.
It’s the kind of track you can’t help but sway to, thanks to its infectious rhythm and the way the sisters balance raw honesty with an irresistible beat. The funkiness is undeniable – this isn’t the Haim we remember from their last album. Here, they’ve traded in their Californian sun-kissed rock for something more groove-driven and intimate, with hints of ’90s R&B influence woven seamlessly throughout.
Baby, how can I explain
When an innocent mistake
Turns into seventeen days?
F*in’ relationships
Don’t they end up all the same
When there’s no one left to blame?
I think I’m in love,
but I can’t stand f*in’ relationships
(Goes, goes like, goes like)
The result is a sleek, genre-defying anthem that effortlessly combines the sisters’ trademark emotional depth with a surge of energy that’s impossible to ignore. This track doesn’t just dwell in the questions; it propels you beyond the chaos, pulling you from your seat and onto the dance floor. It’s an infectious anthem for anyone who’s ever navigated the highs and lows of love and relationships, capturing both the struggle and the liberation in one electrifying pulse.
“Relationships” is an electrifying genre fusion that seizes you from the very first beat and never lets go. With its polished production and infectious energy, the track amplifies the sisters’ signature emotional depth, pushing the intensity to thrilling new heights. It’s impossible to stay seated as the song pulls you onto the dance floor, where its perfect balance of raw emotion and irresistible rhythm makes every move feel inevitable.
Why do I have a guilty conscience?
I’ve always been averse to conflict
But you really f*ed with my confidence
(Goes like, goes like, goes like)
You gotta tell me the truth
If you don’t want to try-y-y
(Goes, goes like, goes like)
I hear a voice in my head
And it keeps asking,
“Why am I in this relationship?”
The song is an anthem which captures the essence of rising above the chaos and embracing the freedom that follows. It resonates with anyone who’s faced the complexities of relationships, offering a cathartic release and a profound sense of liberation. With its vibrant energy and irresistible melody, the track lingers long after the final beat fades, a powerful testament to resilience and the journey of self-discovery. It’s a song that doesn’t just move you, it empowers you.
“How did we get ourselves into this?” Danielle Haim croons, her voice dripping with a mix of disdain and disbelief, immediately setting the stage for “Relationships.” The song dives deep into the messy, disillusioned waters of love, packed with haunting questions like, “Why am I in this relationship?” But instead of delivering these existential musings through a melancholy ballad or a laid-back groove, HAIM flips the script with a burst of infectious energy. The track pulses with a magnetic, danceable beat, radiating a fresh and sexy vibe that feels like nothing they’ve ever done before. It’s a daring departure from their signature So-Cal rock sound, embracing the sultry allure of ’90s R&B, blending introspection with irresistible smoothness. It’s a sonic evolution that captivates just as much as it confounds.
The music video, directed by Camille Summers-Valli, masterfully complements the track with a striking visual narrative that captures the essence of post-breakup reflection. Shot in reverse, the story follows Danielle as she packs up her car, marking the end of a relationship, and rewinds through pivotal moments with Drew Starkey’s character. From an emotionally charged breakup to their first meeting on the dance floor, the video’s reverse timeline acts as a poignant metaphor for the cyclical nature of love and heartbreak. The visual journey mirrors the song’s themes of finding clarity after emotional chaos. Throughout it all, the sisters exude a powerful, confident presence—commanding both romantic authority and sensuality, dressed in simple yet striking athletic basics. They seamlessly blend vulnerability with strength, reinforcing their role as unapologetic forces in both love and the narrative unfolding before our eyes.
Baby, how can I explain
When an innocent mistake
Turns into seventeen days?
F*in’ relationships
Don’t they end up all the same
When there’s no one left to blame?
I think I’m in love,
but I can’t stand communicating it
Let me tell you how it ends
When we can’t even pretend
Feels like we’re not even friends
in this relationship
But I would do it all again
If you put down your defenses
I think I’m in love,
so why am I trying to escape from it?
Maybe that’s just how it goes
When you’re not fully grown
But, baby, when you know,
you know, f*in’ relationships
With “Relationships,” HAIM have crafted a track that’s as introspective as it is fun.
The sisters continue to explore personal experiences and universal truths while experimenting with fresh sounds and new styles. “So don’t let it bring you down, ‘cause it all comes back around,” Danielle Haim sings, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. This track is a perfect example of HAIM’s ability to blend sharp self-awareness with irresistible musicality, and it’s sure to leave listeners eagerly awaiting the full album to come. If this is just a taste, we’re in for something special.
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Stream: “Relationships” – HAIM
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© Lea Garn
© Lea Garn
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