Lilo (song)

"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)

"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]

Background

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

"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

"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

  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.