Good at Falling: The Unexpected Stray from Normality

Hailing from Buckinghamshire, dream-pop princess Amber Bain, who goes by the name ‘The Japanese House’, recently released her debut album Good at Falling on March 1st. Having released the single “Lilo,” which had already become a personal favorite of mine, I expected nothing more than gorgeous experimentalism and touching lyrics from Ms. Bain.

    This album definitely puts forth a nighttime vibe. It discusses events that leave heavy marks on the individual. On the surface level, heavy drum beats and animalistic tones of the first track create the sounds of a jungle. Then, like pain often does, it hits you. The slight distortion on Bain’s vocals as she sings ‘Something's wrong, stop’ feels like a sharp inhale of rage, frustration, and misfortune. But as the track ended, the seamless transition into “Maybe You’re the Reason” brings an instant warmth.

    Transitions like these and the easy-going guitar melodies, accompanied with the ethereal harmonies throughout this album, makes it one for the books. Each song is completely different from the last, yet still maintains the same familiarity of popular tracks like “Cool Blue.”

    My personal favorite tracks are “Everybody Hates Me” and “f a r a w a y.” “Everybody Hates Me” strongly spoke to me when I listened to it for the first time. The distortion and chorus communicate that sinking feeling and utter dread felt that suddenly arises when your mind feels super grey. It’s the transition into “Marika Is Sleeping” that soothes the soul. “f a r a w a y” became an instant earworm; every time I listen to it, the chord changes take me back to a time I never knew. Strangely melancholic yet nostalgic chills constantly run down my spine throughout this song.

    For fans of The Japanese House, old and new, I suggest you take a listen to the new version of “i saw you in a dream” and try to find the words to describe this track. The distant vocals and stripped back instrumentalism feel so foreign yet unbelievably comforting.

You can listen to Good at Falling on all major streaming services.

Written by: Chelsea Tiso

Edited by: Mary Perez