When It Falls

Had no idea what this was although there was a clue when I saw Sia performed on this… I had the good fortune to listen to this on a beach walk on a sunny day in Southern California. Pretty much a perfect soundtrack to this. Terrific!

Did you like Moon Safari? Then chances are you'll enjoy When It Falls too. Extremely pleasant and mellowed-out tunes that's perfect for any early morning meditation. Fantastic sonic textures, particularly on the Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and Clavinet. This album isn't doing anything particularly revolutionary or magnificent, but sometimes all you need is an album that sounds nice. Well done, Zero 7. CONTENDER FOR THE LIST: Nahhhh. AIR covers this sound pretty well and I don't think Zero 7 adds much to the downtempo genre.

This is a great album. Not sure if I liked this one or "Simple Things" more. The tracks with Sia and Sophie Barker are as good as ever. I WILL listen to all their albums today :D

Super chill and lush. Trip-hop is always a good time. This one is very pretty, if nothing super groundbreaking.

This was definitely a mood but I liked it. Great album. Good job to the submitter

I've got to say that on balance I prefer Simple Things, but I do also very much appreciate the inclusion of this disc. It isn't trip-hop. It is downtempo, you might even call it chillout, but it isn't trip-hop. One can point happily to the stellar vocals in this. Really great to hear. If you like this, definitely check out more.

Nice background music

I love the instrumentation used on this album - Rhodes keys, clear/clean guitar lines, organic-sounding drums/percussion - all of this matters and contributes to (or perhaps simply makes) the overall feel. The composition is done with tons of restraint; keeping the downtempo/chill mood throughout. Great balance of instrumental and vocals - I usually don't like guest vocals all over an album (I *really* don't like it - the question is why, I suppose - and perhaps because it never feels like a cohesive album but more a greatest hits / compilation type of collection) but I suppose it's something that I haven't noticed it as a negative thing here at all. The album overall delivers a perfect chill/calming ambience - I listened while working which works but could also see this either as soundtrack on/for a long drive or a Sunday morning coffee. While it wasn't enough for me to give a 5 as it kind of slows pace by the end, it's a definite keeper and one I'll be coming back to. 8/10 4 stars IMO: Belonged in the book? Professing complete ignorance in the impact of the group, I'll still say YES - this is one of the better-sounding examples of the genre I've heard.

Music that makes you say: "Yeah that was alright".

Reminds me of heroin. A pleasant warm and comfortable feeling, while quietly killing you because you've never solved the problems that are eating you from within, and destroying society by driving crime rates up around the world.

Mõnus chill

This is right up my alley. Gave me some Radiohead vibes in a few tracks. Really enjoyed it. 4.5

Others have summed this up perfectly- this is a really pleasant album of chilled Trip-hop 'Air' wannabes but that doesn't detract from the quality. I really enjoyed it.

The production is great, the songwriting feels original, the lyrics are genuine, there’s a solid throughline, and a good bit of range. Well done and nice pick. 4/5

Very chill and occasionally jazzy trip-hop. A welcome addition to the user list.

Smooth and fun, but turned into background noise

Loved the vocals and music here. Made me look into other stuff they do. Will be listening to more.

Very nice vibes album overall

This had a lot of interesting elements to it, I'd definitely want to listen to this one again!

It's alright. Better than average elevator music.

4.5

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: When it falls, Morning song

Moon Safari at home, which still comes out to a strong offering

Pretty ranging to very pretty. Not sure why it was shared but enjoyed listening. Relaxing and just a little sad.

This is very nice, chill music. 4 stars.

This was interesting and I enjoyed it. The kind of jazzy, atmospheric music suited the overall composition well though to my unsophisticated ears it all sounds a bit the same and I wonder if and how it develops through the group's ongoing history. Within the context of this album the he variety and talent of the vocal acts keeps things fresh however.

Another groundhog day of users thinking "pleasant-sounding" albums must automatically be considered as "essential ones". I have sad news for you: 1001 is too small a number to include them all. What you must aim for is records that are *more* than pleasant. They must either be groundbreaking for their genre or feel so vital you feel it's a crime not to include them in such a list. And I am afraid the bulk of Zero 7's *When It Falls* doesn't fit that description. Not that Zero 7 is not a project with idiosyncratic features in that downtempo field already treaded by the likes of Air or Goldfrapp by 2004. Insanely talented musicians and sound engineers, Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker have a knack for lush textures (most often led by Wurlitzer / Rhodes Piano keyboard parts) and interesting chord progressions. Those features do wonders on "Somersault", featuring Sia, or the intense horn-section-laced finale of "Home", featuring Tina Dico. "Warm", with Mozez, is also a good opener for the album. The rest of the tracklist tags along nicely enough, very derivative of Air most of the time. Zero 7 even manage to equal their obvious model on the title-track, which is quite a feat. Conversely, "Look Up" verges dangerously close to "illustrative" soundtracks you've heard a hundred times on YouTube videos -- the line between meaningful inspiration and going through the motions in that music style being admittedly very thin. "In Time" and "Passing By" are also the sort of fillers that can be found in dozens of "chill" playlists on streaming services. Same with "Speed Dial No.2", in spite of Sia's quirky inflexions on it. And closer "Morning" doesn't really change the overall picture suggesting an underwhelming second half for the record, in spite of its trippy guitar arrangements in the background, or its dynamic finale letting a real piano shine for the first and only time in the tracklist. That fade-out in the conclusion of the song is a bit frustrating. There were interesting things to explore from that particular point. Unfortunately, this how the track (and whole album) ends. Sophomore LP *When It Falls* still seems to be a major improvement compared to the project's debut. Alas, according to streaming services, it appears that it is a less popular choice for listeners aware of who Zero 7 are. In that sense, I understand why one user chose the record for their submission. Yet by any other metrics out there, I can't bring myself to include *When It Falls* in my high-rated galleries. See you tomorrow for another 1001 Albums Generator groundhog day -- to once again mention that legendary comedy film once referenced by this fan of Zero 7 in one of their reviews. "Ooh, it’s cold out there today, campers! Rise and shine, and don't forget your booties 'cause it's cooooold out there today!" Sometimes using this generator makes me feel like I am Bill Murray indeed (which is still a cool thing somehow, ha ha). It's not cold out there *everyday*, mind you. But I still wish the average temperature was hotter than it currently is. 2.5/5 for the purposes of this list dedicated to essential albums, rounded up to 3 7.5/10 for more general purposes (5 for the musicianship and production values + 2.5 for the artistry) ---- Number of albums from the original list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 465 Albums from the original list I *might* include in mine later on: 288 Albums from the original list I won't include in mine: 336 ---- Number of albums from the users list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 120 Albums from the users list I *might* select for mine later on: 136 Albums from the users list I won't select for mine: 302 (including this one) ---- Salut Émile, Tu pourras lire ma dernière réponse sous le *Little Criminals* de Randy Newman. A+.

Album #60 (1001 challenge extended): "When It Falls" by Zero 7 (2004) "When It Falls" is the second album by English music duo Zero 7 consisting of Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker. Downtempo, trop hop, electronica and R&B are the Wiki-listed genres. Binns and Hardaker produced the albums. Musicians included Dedi Madden (guitars), Robin Mularkey (bass), Neil Cowley (clavinet, drums), Jeremy Stacey (drums), Crispin Taylor (drums), Brilliant Strings (strings) and Sally Herbert (violin). A variety of vocalists are participated including Morez, Sia, Sophie Barker, Sia and Tina Dico. The albums received mixed reviews. "Warm Sound" opens the album with bells, a wavering synth and a phone ringing. A drum beat and pianos come in. Morez with soulful vocals.we get a clsniet as the music builds. Chill, downrempo and melancholic. "Home" continues the chill and downtempo. Tina Pico also continues the soulful tone as she's feeling alone. Strings, the clavinet, bass and a synth bring up volume towards the end. The third song "Somersault" gives us the third lead vocalis in Sia. An acoustic guitar is featured here. The instrumental self-titled "When It Falls" begins with synth keys and a drone sound. A slow drum beat, acoustic and electronic guitars organ and electronic piano. There an electronica and ambient vibe with a wavering synth reminded me of Air. I did not expect a Radiohead "Kid A"-like guitar but that's what we get at the start of "Speed Dial No. 2." Electronic noises and an underlying synth as the song transitions to a deep cut from Grandaddy's "The Software Slump." Sia on lead vocals as she says she's ok but we know. My favorite song on the album. The music is mostly downtempo R&B but there are areas of electronica and jazz. A melancholic and soulful vibe. A plethora of ibstruments: synths, horns, strings, pianos, guitars, drums and bass. The music builds in the songs. Nice production by Binns and Hardaker. This was a decent listen; it started with chill tone and stayed the course. So, if you're a downtempo R&B fan, this is worth your time. 3 out of 5

Best Song: Warm Sound. I really like the timbre of the vocalist. This song got me excited for the album in a way that it didn't really end up delivering. Worst Song: Look Up. It turns out that I'm mostly here for the combination of downtempo with vocal performances laid overtop, so the tracks without a vocalist felt a bit dull to me. Overall: A solid chill album. I could imagine throwing it on to evoke a particular relaxed vibe. Music to enhance an already smooth environment.

Ritmos tranquilos, sosegados, pop muy intimista, incorporación de más músicos, temas bastantes parecidos en sustancia. Puede venir para desconectar un poco, aunque no me ha convencido en muchos aspectos.

Downtempo, trip hop, electronica, R&B. Agradable. Ni fu ni fa.

Good trip-hop experience

March 25, 2026 HL: "Warm Sound", "The Space Between", "Speed Dial No. 2"

This was pretty good.

When I read the wiki description I wasn’t excited for it. However, I actually enjoyed. Don’t know why but I did.

Real nice

I do enjoy trip hop, but this didn't feel all that exciting to me. A little long too. My personal rating: 3/5 My rating relative to the list: 3.5/5 Should this have been included on the original list? No.

Apple Music said ‘electronic’ and maybe? It played and I listened

Inoffensive boy girl duo

Artistically this is pretty impressive but from a listening stand point I found myself falling deeper and deeper into a sleep spell like I was in office space. Some of the songs are pretty enjoyable and sia helps round out the album a bit to keep it from being all electronic. 5.9/10

When it falls is a pleasant electronica album. It has a melancholic and lush feeling. Sounds the band Air, but not as interesting and good. That makes it a bit boring at times.

Good

Downtempo, trip hop, electronica, R&B. Agradable. Ni fu ni fa.

For each user submission I will decide if I believe it was submitted to "correct the record" and deserves inclusion on the main list or if its more of a personal favorite or pet album of the user. I think this is a "pet" album, that's not to say it's bad it's perfectly listenable music, to me it's not list worthy though.

Not that into triphop. But I kinda likes this one.

Pretty nice

Fine. wasn't my thing.

2.4 Maybe it's my social-media-addled brain with it's shot attention span, but the vast majority of those songs were an absolute slog to sit through. Tedious. Conversely, I quite enjoyed the opener and closer, along with When It Falls. Remove those three songs and you'd be looking in the 1* territory. Really didn't do a lot for me this one.

Ok, but I think there are other acts more worthy of inclusion

When It Falls was pretty much just background music for me. Can't remember a thing from it that made me feel anything, so 2/5.

Kinda chill but ultimately boring

This was pretty chill and pretty melodic trip hop. It felt like fine background music, but not much beyond that for preferences.

I immediately heard something familiar as I started this album, then quickly identified the Garden State soundtrack vibe. As I chilled my way through the music, I checked the soundtrack and realised - yup - they were right there. After I finished When It Falls, I immediately shifted to Simple Things (their first album; where the Garden State song was taken from) and scratched my head. Why was that album (Mercury Prize nominated) not chosen over this one? Either way, it’s smooth and easy, this bop. Best to be in that mood when you listen. I wanna give it middle of the road rates, but I’ll subtract 1/2 a star for it not being what I think is the best of Zero 7.

A band who had said everything they needed to with their first album, but had a contract to make another.

I was working along side this and still was irritated by it. I can see why it can be motivating but I don’t love it.

I kept looking to the guest vocalists to make this space/lounge/jazz/trippy vibe catch my interest. They didn't. But I did find out Sia's been around a lot longer than a decade. Crazy.

I’m afraid I just find this kind of music very dull. It doesn’t tickle any of my fancies, but it does push some of my bad buttons.

It's very passive music. Their first album transcended more, which I'd credit to Sia, who sadly only gets a second mile so Ng on this weekend ne. It happened, it was peaceful. I didn't reallyfocus d on it. But I think that's the possibility not.

Your opinion of this will depend on your toleration for ambience. Zero has written some beautiful melodies and executed them with great instrumentals, but the tracks wander for minutes on end in pursuit of a point. I'm all for musical world-building and fleshing out tracks to their fullest, but there's a looming lack of focus here that makes the songs feel frustratingly overlong for no good reason. Also feel that most of the guest features (Sia??) aren't really allowed to flex their vocal muscles, lot of potential here but it all seems somewhat muted and way too chill.