It's like the best parts of Rumours but written for people who grew up on 90s R&B.
A warm, sun-drenched reflection on the quiet end of a relationship.
Released in April 2026, Relationships serves as a focused thematic exploration for HAIM, moving away from the eclectic maximalism of Women in Music Pt. III toward a more cohesive, soft-rock-inflected sound. The EP is characterized by its 'dry' production style, favoring intimate vocal captures and analog warmth over digital sheen. Recorded primarily in Los Angeles, the four tracks function as a narrative arc concerning the dissolution and eventual acceptance of a long-term partnership. Critics noted the influence of Fleetwood Mac's Tusk-era experimentation combined with the rhythmic precision of 90s R&B. The title track became a sleeper hit on AAA radio, praised for its sophisticated arrangement and the sisters' signature interlocking vocal work. While brief, the EP is considered a pivotal moment in their discography for its emotional maturity and restraint.
Put this on for
Pacific Coast Highway at 6pm with the windows downBarefoot in the kitchen making coffee for oneThat specific silence after a long phone call endsSunlight hitting the dust motes in a quiet living roomDriving home alone from a party you left earlyReading old text threads and finally hitting deleteWalking toward the water as the tide comes in
Moments worth waiting for
The sudden transition from a sparse verse to a massive three-part harmony wall on the title track.
The way the bass guitar locks into a syncopated R&B groove halfway through Tie You Down.
The delicate, unadorned piano outro of Even the Bad Times that fades into the sound of distant traffic.
Sounds like
2026s production with a 2020s soul
Sits beside
Rumours - Fleetwood Mac, The Record - boygenius, Days Are Gone - HAIM, Golden Hour - Kacey Musgraves
Lyrical territory
love_lost, self_examination, nostalgia
03Deviation
Relationships · vs · HAIM
Artist
This Album
Medium Energy
Energy · ↓ −15% less than usual
On this album, medium energy sits about 15% less prominent than across the rest of the artist's catalogue.
