Haim - If I Could Change Your Mind

I have not been on my game. I didn't even know that Haim was releasing a new film clip until a couple of days ago. I'm a constant disappointment, but you know who aren't?...Haim.
Have you seen this clip yet? The film clip for 'If I Could Change Your Mind'? I have....about 48 times, probably more.
I'll put it here for you, incase you haven't seen it, or you just want to see it again.

The song has already been out for a little while so I have heard a hell of a lot of it, although along with the film clip, it was a brand new experience.
In sound, this song is fairly similar to some of the sounds heard in their Forever EP, in songs such as Forever, Better Off, and their single Don't Save Me.
I think I make the connection between these songs because they have that very iconic drum beat and indie rock sound (sorry for saying 'indie' rock...it seems like the right description though). This song definitely is a development from their Forever EP, as much as a adored that EP (which was a hell of a lot) I am loving the direction that these girls are taking their music and career. I was scared that they would produce something bizarre which didn't have the 'Haim' feel, but that's me being untrusting, of course I should trust Haim to continuously exceed my expectations, they are brilliant...good vibes man, good vibes.

The visuals of this film clip were so so amazing. Around 1 year ago...almost exactly, they brought out their 'Falling' film clip, which was the first time I had ever heard of them, I began to tell my friends about this cool new band called "hey-am", and despite the fact that it took me a couple of months to get their name correct this was the moment that I really fell in love with Haim's whole aura.
I was very very close to saying that the film clip for 'If I Could Change Your Mind' is polar opposite to the 'Falling' film clip. But that is incorrect, despite 'Falling' having a very hippy and organic vibe, the songs radiate a similar vibe and within both film clips we experience the somewhat bizarre, yet phenomenally unique and fantastic dancing by the lovely sisters. I think that's what made me very very happy with 'If I Could Change Your Mind', I was somewhat scared that they would head in some new zaney direction, so seeing their iconic dancing was like a warm blanket of security.

I was discussing this film clip with my parentals and we came to the conclusion that this clip has a very late 70's early 80's look and vibe. I think this could be mainly to do with the keyboard riff just before and a bit throughout the chorus...god I hope you know what I am talking about. But visually, the choreographed dances, the stage, the shadows and backing lights and the giant sign behind them are what give this film clip with amazingly disco feel. This isn't identical to anything from the late 70's early 80's era, but the warmth I feel watching 'If I Could Change Your Mind' is similar to the warmth I get out of some of these (I should actually just tell you I go off on a real 70's/80's tangent here...so really here are some highlights from this era):

Yes, that was a tangent, apologies, although they were all brilliant links so I really am not all that sorry. Anyway, I thought the Haim girls did an absolutely fabulous job with 'If I Could Change Your Mind', as a song, and as a film clip. Keep up the top work.
Thank you,
- Stella Grace xxx

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Haim: http://haimtheband.com

Sticky Fingers - Gold Snafu

I can't put into words my disappointment when I missed the release of Sticky Fingers new single 'Gold Snafu' on Triple J yesterday afternoon. I was not happy with my brain for letting me forget such an important thing like that, and for remembering such pointless things like...nah I can't think of anything, you get what I mean anyway.
Anyway, I'm mad I missed it.
I had to wait another 26 hours until the release of the Gold Snafu film clip which was released last night. It was hard but I made it, and boy oh man was it worth it.

We were blessed with these lovely teasers earlier in the week on the Official Sticky Fingers Facebook page.

 Here are some screen shots from the film clip. The first two are from the Official Sticky Fingers Facebook page and the rest are just me and my screen-shotting talent bringing you the best highlights.

To be completely honest with you, I found this film clip really bizarre. To me, it seemed very very different to the usually vibe I get from Sticky Fingers. Do NOT get me wrong, it's been up on youtube for and hour and a half now and I've watched it 12 times...but there is something about the clip that seemed very produced in comparison to a lot of their other stuff. Mm, I don't want that to be misunderstood here. By saying that the film clip was very produced, I mean that in comparison to a lot of their seemingly DIY filmed, very casual clips this is much more manufactured, and it seems as if a hell of a lot of time and effort has gone into it. With is 6 minute length and prominent story line, this film clip could almost be considered narrative like, perhaps a short film. Actually, that's pretty much exactly what it is, very entertaining and really draws you in...a short film (sort of).

But despite me saying this in kind of an awkward fashion...my feelings towards its manufactured filming is purely me struggling with the change. Haha. It is an amazing clip. Yes, it is a fairly big step and change in my opinion from say... their 'Eddy's song' film clip, but that isn't so much of a negative thing. That's progression. And I'm glad their success is allowing them to move up in this fashion.

Pwoah, okay. When I first viewed this, it was also the first time I had heard the song, and I found in my first viewing I was very distracted by what I was watching rather than the music. So as recommended, I then began this blog post and listened to the song in another tab, so I wasn't focussed on the visuals. It's a real good song. A really good song.
I don't want to compare Gold Snafu to any of their older songs really, I feel like it's difficult to do that without having people judge it upon that comparison. Although I will say it does have a very Sticky Fingers feel overall, but also seems like something new, something fresh. That contradicted itself a lot, apologies. The beat I think is the most significant change in comparison to their other music. I get a real 'beachy' vibe from this song...throughout the verse, and the interlude after the chorus, I get this real groovy beachy feel; calm and relaxed. (Sorry for saying this, but there were aspects of this song that reminded me of Jack Johnson...) I think it is really the lyrics and the concepts that bring it away from that and really bring through the classic Sticky Fingers sound.
I think honestly, you need to hear it for yourself. So the link is at the bottom of this post for you. You're welcome.

I genuinely cannot wait for it to be released on iTunes so that I don't have to skip the 3 minute introduction to hear the song again. (No hate against the intro...it adds a lot to the overall experience...) But also I just want to have this song in my hands. Pwoah. I know I talk about them a hell of a lot, but these guys really just have something. They are SO different to everything else on the radio or in the music industry, and this song is no exception. Absolutely amazing. I was trying so hard to think of a better word than amazing then, but amazing just seems right. Amazing.
The boys never fail to impress, so if you haven't heard it already...here you go...
Golden Snafu - Sticky Fingers Official Video

- Stella xxx

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Links:
Sticky Fingers: http://www.stickyfingerstheband.com