The genre-bending sisters Haim once again prove that they’re the best percussionists in the business with their blistering new folk-rock-ish tune “Let Me Go.” It starts off with a faint humming, and barely any percussion at all, as lead singer Danielle almost raps the lyrics (and does so barely louder than a whisper): “Gimme out / gimme in / I’d give you everything I could give / you try to take / and you try to make / but take on everything you can.” She continues nearly whispering the Fiona Apple-esque lyrics until it reaches the chorus, at which point she begins singing at a normal volume and a loud, hypnotic beat begins pounding away. But it’s only after that entirely contagious chorus that the sort of manic, propulsive beats the women are already famous for — in spite of the fact that their debut album isn’t even out yet — start banging away furiously. BOOM, BOOM. BOOM, BOOM… As Danielle quickly run through the lyrics again — the song goes through the same lyrics twice, a la The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” — scorching, raw guitar in the vein of The White Stripes joins the mix, grinding away as the beats continue rapidly slamming. The first time you listen to it, those beats will likely leave you feeling like you’ve been clobbered over the head, being so bloody powerful. But with subsequent listenings they prove to be more invigorating than combative.
“The Wire” begins with a snappy, reverb-heavy beat that calls to mind Gary Glitter’s “Rock ‘N’ Roll Part 2.” But it’s the lyrics — not the infectious beat — that are rapid-fire this time around. “And I’d give it all away just to hear you say that / Well I know I know I know I know that you’re gonna be OK anyway,” Danielle sings. Whereas “Let Me Go” was practically The Danielle Show, all of the sisters really shine during this one, Este laying down some funky bass and Alana playing some lovely, synthy keyboards. And this one easily has their catchiest chorus yet: “Always keep your heart locked tight, don’t let your mind retire, oh / But I just couldn’t take it, I tried hard not to fake it / But I fumbled and when I came down to the wire / It felt great, it felt right, oh.” Quite a mouthful? Yes. But, like every song these sisters have released thus far, it’s entirely wonderful.
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