Good at Falling
by The Japanese House
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
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  1. The Skinny
    Feb 28, 2019
    100
    Good at Falling has a feeling of the relief that comes after crying. It takes a moment to sit in sorrow, to feel every inch of it, only to find it washed away by hope and gratitude.
  2. Clash Music
    Feb 28, 2019
    90
    Whilst lyrically, it is a portrayal of insecurity and pain, sonically it is a bright, glistening piece of pop magic that merges the quintessential style seen on The Japanese House’s three EPs with new points of exploration that only increases the excitement around this enigmatic superstar-in-waiting.
  3. DIY Magazine
    Feb 28, 2019
    90
    There’s a power that comes from laying fears and anxieties out, admitting that answers can’t be immediately found. Cannily similar to the progression of The Japanese House’s music over the past few years, this exact approach has led her to a magical debut.
  5. The Line of Best Fit
    Mar 1, 2019
    85
    We have 13 tracks to wander through and empathise with. Amber Bain has created a record of complete honesty, offering us a first-hand account of the highs and lows she has experienced whilst traversing modern relationships.
  6. AllMusic
    May 2, 2019
    80
    Good at Falling is an extremely impressive debut LP from a songwriter who's more than proved that she's unafraid to delve into the melancholy parts of her past and wrap them up in dreamlike, atmospheric songs which are accessible for various kinds of music fans without ever sounding too saccharine.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Mar 1, 2019
    80
    People may have been wondering who Bain was when she first released music, but on her debut album she’s made damn sure you won’t forget her.
  8. The Guardian
    Mar 1, 2019
    80
    There’s also a slipperiness to the production that means you never quite know where you are. Voices shift, melodies disintegrate and those vocal filters sometimes keep you at arm’s length. For the most part, however, Bain showcases a keen self-awareness.
  9. PopMatters
    Feb 28, 2019
    80
    It's the maturation in lyricism and the ability to share herself with the world, which can only result from time and experience, that lift Japanese House's full-length debut above her previous work. It's a rare treat to see such experience fleshed out so early in a young artist's career.
  10. Q Magazine
    Feb 28, 2019
    80
    Her directness about the experience of falling in and out of love with women is both refreshing and literal. [Apr 2019, p.113]
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  11. Pitchfork
    Mar 4, 2019
    75
    On her confident and intoxicating first full-length, Good at Falling, she lets go of any lingering self-consciousness and makes the transformation from hesitant outsider to unlikely pop star.
  12. The 405
    Mar 5, 2019
    70
    While at times the overall production and heavy effects can take away from the impact, Good at Falling is ultimately a work of emotions. The album perfectly represents what people go through while trying to hold on to relationships, knowing they should let go.
  13. Sputnikmusic
    Mar 4, 2019
    58
    Good at Falling makes little headway into its own unique musical space, that’s something fans can hopefully expect in the future as Bain continues to distance herself from this vigilantly-traced launching pad. For now, here’s to another round of synth-laden pop balladry.
  14. Paste Magazine
    Mar 4, 2019
    51
    Other artists, such as Florence and the Machine are creating better, more interesting music with the same techniques. Seek them out instead of wasting your time on this one.

Awards & Rankings

73
#73 Most Shared Album of 2019

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 61
  3. Negative: 2 out of 61
  1. matthewmirliani
    Mar 7, 2019
    9
    Gloriously introspective and hauntingly moody, the debut album from The Japanese House is layered with heavy, echoing beats; dreamy,Gloriously introspective and hauntingly moody, the debut album from The Japanese House is layered with heavy, echoing beats; dreamy, harmonized-vocals; idiosyncratic instrumental and production choices; and an engaging tone that ranges from angry to melancholy. If you enjoyed Maggie Rogers’ debut, this album is its cousin, offering an equally stunning musical venture. Highlights include the indie-pop gems of “Maybe you’re the reason,” “We Talk all the Time,” and the coffeehouse soft-pop of “You Seemed so Happy.”… Full Review »
  2. carrsean
    Mar 3, 2019
    8
    One of the better pop records released in a few time. Although both this project and must of The 1975's catalog have similar vibes, Good atOne of the better pop records released in a few time. Although both this project and must of The 1975's catalog have similar vibes, Good at Falling takes the sound into a much more insular and fragile place. The hooks and melodies really shine through the dreamy and lush production, as Amber Bain fleshes out what a Japanese House song can be. From the thick neo-80's riff of Maybe You're the Reason to the stripped back, lullaby-esque rendtion of Saw You In A Dream, Bain experiments with orchestral arrangements, acoustic guitar, autotune amongst other things to create an unifying and engaging listen . For as diverse as the album may seem as paper, the pristinely tight production (courtesy of Bain herself, BJ Burton- who's worked with Bon Iver and Francis and the Lights-, and George Daniel of The 1975, brings that signature sound that brings the album together. That and Bain's voice. Bain's voice captivates with a deeper tone that still manages to hold some fantastic melodies. Think of a slightly more uptempo Victoria Legrand. Her voice will disarm you every-time, as it's unlike anything found in the modern pop landscape. I would definitely turn to her EPs like Saw You in a Dream, Swim Against the Tide and ESPECIALLY Clean. Even though this album is great, her earlier EPs hold some of the best dream pop songs of this decade. But Good At Falling proves more than the Japanese House being more than a fluke. It reveals Bain as one of pop's most intriguing songwriters and hints at the potential for The Japanese House becoming a household name in indie pop in the next decade.… Full Review »
  3. ryanora
    Mar 3, 2019
    10
    It's about being free, it's about being the best of ourselves, it's about feeling, perfect.
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