Back in 2020, we were blown away by Japan, Man, the project led by Laeticia Acra, who was just 14 years old when she dropped her debut EP, The Bad Days. The collection of funky and mellow bops, accompanied by existential lyrics delving into the complexities of coming-of-age and her life in Beirut, Lebanon, definitely left a lasting impression on us. Earlier this year, Acra treated us to her new single, “Air Conditioner,” before returning with “Nowhere To Hide” a few days ago. Do these recent releases tease an upcoming EP or LP? Fingers crossed!

Reflecting on overwhelming emotions and overstimulation, “Nowhere to Hide” boasts an intoxicating funky bassline as well as a masterful blend of unexpected details and intricate arrangements ; a mesmerizing patchwork that is elevated by Japan, Man‘s distinctive groovy flair.

“In the midst of big and frightening emotions I think people, including myself, get tied up in the illusion that they are alone in the process of feeling these things, and that no one in the world could ever understand,” she explained. “Through the song, I also want to emphasize the panic of being unable to escape negative emotions and being trapped inside a feeling, routine, or bad habit. The thing I want people to take from the song is that feelings are big, and can feel like a tsunami of overstimulation, and all in all that is a human experience, and really, the human experience.”

Here at HighClouds, we’ve been following Laeticia Acra AKA Japan, Man with a keen eye. Since her addictive first release “Stop Staring”, she’s burst onto the scene in an impressive way, and even more so considering she’s still only 16. With her latest release “The Bad Days”, the final single from her debut EP of the same name, we see Japan, Man reaffirm her position as not only one to watch, but also as one who has arrived.

Speaking of her inspiration for the track, she commented: “‘The Bad Days’ is about Bad Days arriving at your feet. Timely, in a moment in which the world is upside down, and Lebanon is getting swallowed up in a psychedelic stain.”

Her smart and perceptive commentary on the ongoing anti-government protests in Lebanon has been a feature of her music since the beginning of her career, so it’s unsurprising that her final single would also feature a political edge.

Release after release, Japan, Man has created recurring, idiosyncratic sonic motifs. In “The Bad Days” we hear them in full force. From the funky bassline, the sparsely integrated guitars and the chiming synths that sound almost like the backing track to a 70’s video game, Japan, Man has curated a sound of her own, woozy and dreamy.

“The Bad Days” is strangely the Japan, Man song that feels the most stripped back and bare, in a way that’s refreshing. The production of the track – by her uncle Julian Cassia – is seamless. The individual instrumental elements are slowly put together and then stripped back again one by one to give the choruses real gravitas and heft.

As is oftentimes the case with a Japan, Man chorus, it is insanely soothing. The scattered guitars interlaced with the pre-established, warped electronic keyboards and synths meld with Laeticia Acra’s effortlessly cool voice in the most pacifying way.

“The Bad Days” firmly establishes Japan, Man as one of the most talented rising stars of bedroom pop and only adds to the anticipation centred around her debut EP: a collection of songs that already sounds like a mini-best of.

Of this new track, Japan, Man explained: “‘Cautious’ is a call for emotional intelligence in our counterparts thematically speaking.” This intent is displayed in beautific fashion. Utilising simple and frank lyricism and combining it with her signature playful vibes, the track sweeps its way through the mundane.

The buzzing off-kilter warping effects call to mind a sort of alien sound. “Cautious” has an otherworldly element to it, whilst staying earthy in Japan, Man’s blunt delivery. What’s great about Japan, Man is her consistent and undeniable sound, a quality that is usually hard to find in such a young artist; Laeticia and her uncle Julian, who arranges and produces the music, know what works and use these elements with just the right amount of variation so as to not become stagnant. Her silky-smooth vocals and intricate use of the slacker and bedroom pop genres has become a real calling card.

“Cautious” possesses a heavy, funky bassline which is also a common feature of a Japan, Man song. This juxtaposition of the grounded, weighty bass next to the floating and tinkling sounds of guitars and synths makes for another dreamy and tasty listening experience.

Laeticia Acra aka Japan, Man may be young, but she’s already managed to impress the HighClouds staff in 2019, releasing two hypnotic singles, “The Law” and “Stop Staring.” With “Easy Target”, the third release from her upcoming EP and the first taster of her music in 2020, she further solidifies herself as one to keep a close eye on.

Her third offering retains the funk-tinged elements that doused her previous tracks. “Easy Target” is a hazy, swirling song, that on the surface seems fairly jovial. However, much like her previous single “The Law”, Japan, Man once again hides a more introspective and sombre subject matter behind this buoyant beat.

Acra said of the song: “‘Easy Target’ is a song I wrote about your own mind turning on you and making you feel targeted by almost everything. It’s about self-consciousness overtaking common sense and assurance.”

Produced by her uncle, Julian Cassia, the track possesses hints of Walter TV or Travis Bretzer in the warped and off-kilter guitars that inflect the chorus, as well as echoing Frank Ocean with the wobbling, near video game sounding effects that shoot through the early verses and continue throughout the background of the soundscape. These elements create a lush and rich listening experience. The layered effects lend “Easy Target” a density that works well for repeat listening. Upon each listen, new sounds are subtly revealed.

As displayed previously, Japan, Man knows how to make a catchy hook. With the repetition of the lyrics “I’m an easy target” sandwiched right in the middle of the track, Acra regains the listeners’ attention in a snappy and timely fashion.

Following up on the amazing “Stop Staring”, which is already featured in our Best Tracks of 2019, Laeticia Acra, better known as Japan, Man, discusses growing up in her new funk-infused and mellow indie-pop single “The Law”. At the tender age of 15, this may seem like a fairly reductive concept upon which to base a song, but who better to give an insightful detailing of youth and ageing than a teenager?

With its sharp guitar scales balancing with the sporadic funky bassline and dreamy chiming keys, “The Law” presents the melancholic nature of the passing of time in such a way that feels authentic and representative. There’s a lilting sense to the song that is reflective of growing up, with highs and lows, moments of quiet followed by swathes of intense noise. Despite some introspective and existential lyrics such as “Precious days are on my mind/Like I won’t find good in the future”, “The Law” encapsulates childhood freedom and glee. There’s also a sense of ennui, in the way that Japan, Man presents herself, that’s fitting with the languorous swing of the arrangement.

Furthering this teenage boredom is Japan, Man’s breezy and nonchalant voice. It almost has a wry delivery, like an arched eyebrow; Laeticia Acra sings with an eye roll and the biting dryness that only teenagers seem to possess. The repetition of the phrase “Don’t tell me what to do” brims with teenage defiance and rebellious spirit.

As the song closes, we hear Japan, Man transpose her voice up a key, gorgeously crooning the final verse with a belting head voice. The effect is climactic, a shift away from the mellow mood set by the three minutes prior.

Appropriately named after the current events that are happening right now in Lebanon, the single is a responde to “the laws that keep us”. The track further solidifies Japan, Man as the maker of intelligent-sounding music and displays Laeticia Acra’s wisdom beyond her years in a way that’s both impressive and endearing. Listen to “The Law” and rediscover “Stop Staring” below.