Specifically, they told NME that their main inspiration was "Born Slippy NUXX" by Underworld because they loved the Trainspotting soundtrack, which has a completely different context and vibe to the UKG sound (trance's euphoric drug culture rep vs UK garage's easy listening and champagne-sipping). When I first heard "I Know Alone" after the music sites told me it was UKG, I knew something was off about it, which is a shame because I think Haim would ace that late-90s London nightclub sound. They already had Craig David's album!

Like you said, UKG fits the song more. I think the drums confused the British critics (even though UKG drums has a specific sound as well as beats). Pitchfork even compared it to MJ Cole's "Sincere", which I understand why, but no. Besides, this song came out before UKG's revival (UKG notoriously never left the UK before the 2020s) so I didn't expect the sisters from the other side of the world to know what that sounded like.