While “Falling Down” does an excellent job of reminiscing back to the strengths of the late Lil Peep and XXXTENTACION, it lacks in both depth and structure.  

Death is one thing that we as humans simply can’t change.  In 2017, we lost Lil Peep, a proponent of the emo-infused rap movement at the young age of 21.  That was a definitely a blow. Then, adding salt to the wounds, XXXTENTACION was murdered in 2018, at the age of 20.  Sure, XXX’s death found some people participating in an extreme case of schadenfreude, but plenty also acknowledged that 20 years is a very short life.  Despite the fact both rising hip-hop artists are gone, they’ve managed to leave fans with some new music, including single “Falling Down.”

From the start, “Falling Down” has a pop/rock quality, which definitely fits the Lil Peep vibe. Peep sings the intro, which is the hook, which recurs throughout the course of this somewhat amorphous number:

“Come, let’s watch the rain as it’s falling down

Sunlight on your skin when I’m not around

Shit don’t feel the same when you’re out of town

So come, let’s watch the rain as it’s falling down.”

After being somewhat restrained on the intro, the pop/rock sensibility becomes more prominent on the chorus. XXXTENTACION sings the verse, which features very few lyrics.

“Rain keeps falling, tears keep falling

Rain keeps falling, tears keep falling

Darling, your live is like walking a bed of nails

And I just can’t keep on fine

Oh-oh-oh.”

Notably, there’s also an interlude performed by XXXTENTACION, excerpted from one of his final studio sessions.

Final Thoughts

Evaluating “Falling Down” is hard. On the one hand, honestly, there’s really not that much ‘song’ here.  It’s a record built on two things – repetition and most of all, vibe.  Honestly, the best way to look at this is as a vibe that plays to the strength of both artists. No masterpiece (the ‘Stans’ might have a different opinion), it does definitely make you reminisce back to what both artists excelled at and makes you wonder, ‘what if they’d lived.’ Where would Lil Peep and XXXTENTACION end up artistically?

Lil Peep & XXXTENTACION • Falling Down – Single • Columbia • Release: 9.19.18

Photo Credit: Columbia