Saw You in a Dream
| Saw You in a Dream | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| EP by | ||||
| Released | 6 June 2017 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 20:01 | |||
| Label | Dirty Hit | |||
| Producer | ||||
| The Japanese House chronology | ||||
| ||||
Saw You in a Dream is the fourth extended play by English indie pop act the Japanese House, released on 30 June 2017 through Dirty Hit. It was preceded by Swim Against the Tide, and was followed by her debut album Good at Falling, released 1 March 2019. Upon release, it received mostly positive reviews from critics, with some criticism for a lack of deviation from Bain's established style.
Background[edit]
The EP's lead single, "Saw You in a Dream", was inspired by an experience Bain had dreaming of someone she had known who had recently died.[1] The title track "Saw You In a Dream" was released as a single on 26 April 2017.[2]
Musical style[edit]
The EP has been described as dream pop,[3] electropop,[4] yacht rock[5] and indie pop.[6] The EP includes a combination of 80s-esque synth beats, acoustic guitars, layered vocals, and melancholic lyrics.[7]
Reception[edit]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Dork |  [8] |
| Riot Mag |  [9] |
| Spectrum Culture |  [10] |
| The Student Playlist |   [11] |
| The Edge | [12] |
Saw You in a Dream received mostly positive reviews for its composition, symphonic arrangements, and Bain's development of a distinctive style compared to the varied and experimental style of her previous releases.[13][14] Nicole Almeida of Atwood Magazine positively reviewed the EP, commenting that Bain "talks about love, friendship, loss, and life through mesmerizing and descriptive lyrics which, when coupled with her hypnotizing melodies, result in honest and heartwarming songs."[15]
The single "Saw You in a Dream" was especially well-received for its heartfelt lyrics and contrastingly upbeat melodies.[16] "Count to Nine" was also praised for its dreamy quality, and complex progression.[17]
Joshua Palmer gave a mixed review for Spectrum Culture, on the one hand praising its composition and combination of 80's synthpop with more laidback, minimalistic harmonies, while also criticising both Bain's reluctance to release a full length album and a lack of development between Saw You in a Dream and Bain's previous releases. He concluded that "since Pools to Bathe In, it feels as though the musical and emotional stakes have been falling lower and lower. Hopefully a fully realized album is just around the corner."[18]
Track listing[edit]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Saw You in a Dream" | 3:28 |
| 2. | "Somebody You Found" | 3:33 |
| 3. | "3/3" | 4:00 |
| 4. | "Count to Nine" | 9:00 |
| Total length: | 20:01 | |
References[edit]
- ^ Dunn, Frankie (16 May 2017). "watch the awesome new video for the japanese house's saw you in a dream". i-D. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ Subscribe. "The Japanese House shares 'Saw You In A Dream'". diymag.com. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "The Japanese House on new single 'Saw You In A Dream' - NME". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ Moodey, Tom (31 October 2017). "EP REVIEW: 'Saw You In A Dream' - The Japanese House • LOCK". LOCK. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "The Japanese House announces new EP Saw You In A Dream". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
- ^ "Saw You In A Dream by The Japanese House EP Review". 7 July 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ Moodey, Tom (31 October 2017). "EP REVIEW: 'Saw You In A Dream' - The Japanese House • LOCK". LOCK. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "The Japanese House - Saw You In A Dream EP". Dork. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ Eldridge, Kate (30 June 2017). "The Japanese House: Saw You in a Dream". Riot Magazine. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ Palmer, Joshua (25 July 2017). "The Japanese House: Saw You in a Dream". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ Biggs, Ed (2 July 2017). "REVIEW: The Japanese House – 'Saw You In A Dream' EP (Dirty Hit)". The Student Playlist. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ Holland, Meg (July 2017). "Review: The Japanese House – Saw You In A Dream EP". The Edge. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
- ^ "The Japanese House - Saw You In A Dream EP". Dork. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "The Japanese House Shines on 'Saw You In a Dream' EP". Baeble Music. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "Longing, Loss, & Hope in The Japanese House's "Saw You in a Dream"". Atwood Magazine. 8 May 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "The Japanese House on new single 'Saw You In A Dream' - NME". NME Music News, Reviews, Videos, Galleries, Tickets and Blogs | NME.COM. 26 April 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "REVIEW: The Japanese House - 'Saw You In A Dream' EP (Dirty Hit)". The Student Playlist. 2 July 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
- ^ "The Japanese House: Saw You in a Dream". Spectrum Culture. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2020.