Good At Falling settles into hearts of fans

Promotional image from Dirty Hit Records

Narrated by Natalie Gadeikis, Staff Writer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Cameron Erickson, Staff Writer

(Click here to listen to the album!)

The story of falling in and out of love is the centerpiece that holds together the debut album from the solo artist, Amber Bain, also known as The Japanese House.

Good At Falling spans 13 tracks, telling one continuous narrative of her experiences through love and loss. With help from label mates The 1975, Matt Healy and George Daniel place their influence evidently into the production of the entire album. Daniel works his mastered percussions into the mix on tracks such as ‘’Maybe You’re the Reason’’ and ‘’Worms.’’

The album defines itself as a masterclass indie-pop-alternative record. Radio pop sensation ‘’You Seemed so Happy’’ leads with an acoustic guitar, feeling itself as true alternative pop.

Transitions between songs on this album are nothing short of beautiful. The songs flow so cohesively that it truly feels that Amber is telling the listener a story through the headphones.

Gloriously suited vocals are accompanied by Healy on the lovely, future prom slow-dance ballad ‘’f a r a w a y.’’

There are not many low points on this record. Each song feels essential to the story and plays a role in the placement in the tracklist. It all comes down to a matter of opinion on which songs have repeatability. ‘’Marika Is Sleeping’’ is a dreamy interlude led by piano and eventually a bubbly guitar riff, but it sees itself as what it is and that is a segway into the next song. I don’t find myself putting this song on as much as I would put on the insanely bubblegum ‘’Follow My Girl’’

Broken hearted ‘’i saw you in a dream’’ pulls the weight of your tears, almost breaking them down. Perfect closer to an album that is full of intense bassy synths and distorted guitars, this stripped-back rendition of the song leaves the album off with melancholy but put in the most elegant way.

Good at Falling is a visceral look at Amber’s life; she opens herself up immensely throughout the album and it is shown clearly. She is a reliable narrator in her storytelling and can be trusted through her lyrics and through the production. The debut album from The Japanese House proves itself as something important and wanting to be heard and should be heard.

 

Rating: 9/10

 

Essential Tracks:

 

  • Maybe You’re the Reason
  • We Talk all the Time
  • Lilo
  • F a r a w a y
  • I saw you in a dream