Lilo (song)
{{Infobox song
| name = Lilo
| cover = File:Lilo - The Japanese House.jpg
| caption =
| type = single
| artist = The Japanese House
| album = Good at Falling
| released = {{start date|2018|9|27|df=y}}
| genre = {{hlist|Alternative pop|electronic|dream pop}}
| length = 4:10
| label = Dirty Hit/Interscope Records
| writer = Amber Bain
| prev_title = Saw You in a Dream
| prev_year = 2017
| year = 2018
| next_title = Follow My Girl
| next_year = 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.{{Cite web|url=https://substreammagazine.com/2018/09/japanese-house-lilo/|title=The Japanese House returns with stunning new single "Lilo"|last=Aikins|first=Gabriel|date=2018-09-27|website=Substream Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=2020-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114025431/https://substreammagazine.com/2018/09/japanese-house-lilo/|url-status=live}}
Background
Bain has stated that "Lilo" was about her relationship with singer-songwriter Marika Hackman.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/10/29/the-japanese-house-lilo-video|title=The Japanese House shares the quietly devastating "Lilo" video|website=The FADER|language=en|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=2019-05-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509081633/https://www.thefader.com/2018/10/29/the-japanese-house-lilo-video|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/tjhlo-the-japanese-house-lilo/|title=This Just In: Finding Hope in Love in The Japanese House's "Lilo"|date=2018-09-28|website=Atwood Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=2019-09-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913010307/http://atwoodmagazine.com/tjhlo-the-japanese-house-lilo/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.redbrick.me/single-review-the-japanese-house-lilo/|title=Single Review: The Japanese House - Lilo|date=2018-10-13|website=Redbrick|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=2018-10-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013095445/https://www.redbrick.me/single-review-the-japanese-house-lilo/|url-status=live}} Bain later asked Hackman to appear in the music video, after the actress originally cast dropped out.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/the-japanese-house-profile|title=The Japanese House Is Ready to Sweep You Off Your Feet|last=Barlow|first=Eve|website=GQ|language=en|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=2020-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113204029/https://www.gq.com/story/the-japanese-house-profile|url-status=live}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.readdork.com/news/the-japanese-house-will-drop-a-new-track-lilo-later-this-week|title=The Japanese House will drop a new track 'Lilo' later this week|website=Dork|language=en|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=2019-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402020203/https://www.readdork.com/news/the-japanese-house-will-drop-a-new-track-lilo-later-this-week|url-status=live}} The music video was released on 29 October 2018. The music video was praised for its atmospheric cinematography and the intimacy of its subject matter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-japanese-house-lilo-video-2394706|title=The Japanese House's new 'Lilo' video will break your heart|date=2018-10-11|website=NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs {{!}} NME.COM|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=2020-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200114041011/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/the-japanese-house-lilo-video-2394706|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2018/10/29/the-japanese-house-lilo-video-watch|title=The Japanese House shares emotional 'Lilo' video|last=Subscribe|website=diymag.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=2020-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915193546/https://diymag.com/2018/10/29/the-japanese-house-lilo-video-watch|url-status=live}}
Reception
"Lilo" received positive reviews from critics, especially for its vocals, composition and lyrics.{{Cite web|url=https://www.idolator.com/7686222/japanese-house-dreamy-synth-pop-anthem-lilo|title=The Japanese House Returns With Dreamy Synth-Pop Anthem, "Lilo"|date=2018-09-27|website=idolator|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=2020-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915193546/https://www.idolator.com/7686222/japanese-house-dreamy-synth-pop-anthem-lilo|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2018/09/28/the-japanese-house-lilo-track-review|title=The Japanese House - Lilo|last=Subscribe|website=diymag.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=2020-01-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128215925/https://diymag.com/2018/09/28/the-japanese-house-lilo-track-review|url-status=live}} Gabriel Aikins of Substream magazine praised "Lilo" for Bain's vocals and use of electronic filters, and described the lyrics as "descriptive and affecting". Melodic's Jones Willingham also praised the single for its pacing and emotionality,{{Cite web|url=https://www.melodicmag.com/2018/09/28/the-japanese-house-is-back-with-dreamy-new-single-lilo/|title=The Japanese House Is Back With Dreamy New Single "Lilo"|date=2018-09-28|website=// MELODIC Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-24|archive-date=2020-09-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915193550/https://www.melodicmag.com/2018/09/28/the-japanese-house-is-back-with-dreamy-new-single-lilo/|url-status=live}}
In 2019, Billboard included the song in its list of the "30 Lesbian Love Songs".{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/pride/lesbian-love-best-songs-playlist-7972931/|title=30 Lesbian Love Songs: Women Singing About Women (Updated 2019)|magazine=Billboard|last=Russell|first=Erica|date=February 13, 2019|access-date=January 20, 2023}}