"Lilo" is the lead single from Good at Falling, the 2019 debut album of English indie pop act The Japanese House (Amber Bain). "Lilo" was released on 27 September 2018.[1]

"Lilo"
Single by The Japanese House
from the album Good at Falling
Released27 September 2018 (2018-09-27)
Genre
Length4:10
LabelDirty Hit/Interscope Records
Songwriter(s)Amber Bain
The Japanese House singles chronology
"Saw You in a Dream"
(2017)
"Lilo"
(2018)
"Follow My Girl"
(2018)

Background

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Bain has stated that "Lilo" was about her relationship with singer-songwriter Marika Hackman.[2] The lyrics deal heavily with themes of falling in love and subsequently falling out of love, wrapped around the imagery of a "lilo", British slang for a personal flotation device.[3][4] Bain later asked Hackman to appear in the music video, after the actress originally cast dropped out.[5]

Release

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"Lilo" was premiered on Zane Lowe's Beats 1 show on 27 September 2018, the same day as the single's official release via Dirty Hit/Interscope Records.[6] The music video was released on 29 October 2018.[2] The music video was praised for its atmospheric cinematography and the intimacy of its subject matter.[7][8]

Reception

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"Lilo" received positive reviews from critics, especially for its vocals, composition and lyrics.[9][10] Gabriel Aikins of Substream magazine praised "Lilo" for Bain's vocals and use of electronic filters, and described the lyrics as "descriptive and affecting".[1] Melodic's Jones Willingham also praised the single for its pacing and emotionality,[11]

In 2019, Billboard included the song in its list of the "30 Lesbian Love Songs".[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b Aikins, Gabriel (2018-09-27). "The Japanese House returns with stunning new single "Lilo"". Substream Magazine. Archived from the original on 2020-01-14. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  2. ^ a b "The Japanese House shares the quietly devastating "Lilo" video". The FADER. Archived from the original on 2019-05-09. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  3. ^ "This Just In: Finding Hope in Love in The Japanese House's "Lilo"". Atwood Magazine. 2018-09-28. Archived from the original on 2019-09-13. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  4. ^ "Single Review: The Japanese House - Lilo". Redbrick. 2018-10-13. Archived from the original on 2018-10-13. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  5. ^ Barlow, Eve. "The Japanese House Is Ready to Sweep You Off Your Feet". GQ. Archived from the original on 2020-01-13. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  6. ^ "The Japanese House will drop a new track 'Lilo' later this week". Dork. Archived from the original on 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  7. ^ "The Japanese House's new 'Lilo' video will break your heart". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 2018-10-11. Archived from the original on 2020-01-14. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  8. ^ Subscribe. "The Japanese House shares emotional 'Lilo' video". diymag.com. Archived from the original on 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  9. ^ "The Japanese House Returns With Dreamy Synth-Pop Anthem, "Lilo"". idolator. 2018-09-27. Archived from the original on 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  10. ^ Subscribe. "The Japanese House - Lilo". diymag.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  11. ^ "The Japanese House Is Back With Dreamy New Single "Lilo"". // MELODIC Magazine. 2018-09-28. Archived from the original on 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  12. ^ Russell, Erica (February 13, 2019). "30 Lesbian Love Songs: Women Singing About Women (Updated 2019)". Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2023.