As a fringe fan always curious about what creative Jessy Ribordy will dream up next, I dove into The Chilling Alpine Adventure with intrigue. This album closes the 20-year chapter of Falling Up while launching a new era under the new band name, all driven by Ribordy's restless vision. Spanning roughly 46 minutes across 10 tracks, it's a sweeping, atmospheric journey that showcases a band I admire, even if their work often eludes my full understanding. Their music is beautiful, yet I struggle to articulate exactly why it captivates me.

The Chilling Alpine Adventure channels the ethereal, experimental spirit of Falling Up's later works, like their 2015 self-titled album and Your Sparkling Death Cometh from 2011. It layers indie rock, electronic textures, and progressive flourishes, echoing the cinematic folk from Ribordy's side project, The River Empires. "The Waterfall House" opens with shimmering keys and Ribordy's heartfelt vocals, setting a dreamy tone, while "Tall Grass in the Lobby" delivers gritty guitar riffs. "Autumn 38" shines with vibrant synth melodies, balancing nostalgia and fresh ideas. Produced by Ribordy and mastered by Stephen Pettyjohn, the album's sound is polished and immersive. The lead single, "Five Angle," grips with its urgent, repetitive "Save us" refrain, backed by driving rhythms and layered guitars. On "Recruitment," Ribordy's vocals soar over a lush instrumental mix, pulling listeners into the album's enigmatic story. "Double Afterlife" is a haunting highlight, its dissonant piano outro blends beauty and unease, lingering long after. "The Version," the soaring finale, weaves the album's themes into a reflective, hopeful close, hinting at what's to come next.

Ribordy's storytelling is central, but the lyrics are maddeningly cryptic. Devoted fans may not care, preferring to soak in the mood, but as a casual admirer, I have to admit it pokes through as a minor annoyance. Rooted in personal experiences -- as suggested in his Bandcamp dedication to his wife -- the album feels deeply personal yet nearly impossible to decode. Tracks like "Counter Moves" and "That's Reanimation!" hint at a sci-fi narrative, possibly tied to Fangs! (2009). But I find the opacity turns the lyrics into a barrier rather than a bridge, making it hard for me to connect with the album's emotional core. Is it depth or simply a mirage? Your comfort level with that ambiguity may determine the replay factor. While Ribordy's abstract style is part of his charm, the lack of a clear emotional or narrative thread risks alienating listeners. The album also leans heavily on the vibe of Falling Up's 2015 self-titled release, feeling like a less adventurous sibling rather than a daring new step.

Ultimately though, the synergy of Ribordy's emotive vocals, Nick Lambert and Daniel Elder's textured guitars, and Jordan Wood's dynamic drumming creates a cohesive, engaging soundscape. The album flows seamlessly, with each track contributing to a unified arc. Fans of Falling Up's spacey, art-rock style will find moments to savor, while its accessibility invites newcomers. The production is a high point, creating room for every element, from the delicate keys in "Processing," to the raw riffs in "Tall Grass in the Lobby."

All in all, The Chilling Alpine Adventure is a rickety bridge between Falling Up's legacy and Ribordy's new path, reflecting a band I admire, even if I don't always "get" it. The beauty is undeniable, but hard to pin down, and while it enchants with its atmosphere, the vague lyrics and familiar sound hold it back ever so slightly. The odd release timing only adds to the frustration. Still, it's a solid addition to Ribordy's catalog, and I'm curious about where The Chilling Alpine Adventure goes next.

- Review date: 9/24/25, written by Josh Balogh of Jesusfreakhideout.com

 

Original Reader Review:



Let me start by saying that this was a review that I never thought that I'd ever write. When they announced their swan song in 2015 (the brilliant self-titled album worth a listen on its own), I thought that was it for the band. So it came as a complete shock to this listener when I discovered that Falling Up were back almost a decade later with a brand new album. It was especially nostalgic for me considering that I got the chance to review their very first album, Crashings, for my high school newspaper way back in 2004. The real question quickly became what would the new album sound like after nine years away from the business?

Well, for starters, this album serves as both an ending to what we know as Falling Up and the introduction of the next phase in the band's life, known as The Chilling Alpine Adventure. More than just an album title (taken from a song from their 2009 album, Fangs!), it's also the name of their new band and serves as a transition between the two. The album kicks off with "The Waterfall House," an ethereal opening that serves as the perfect start to the album. Harkening back to the sounds heard on Fangs!, it's a great introduction to Falling Up 2.0.

What follows is "Five Angle," the first song released from the album. The tempo kicks up, leading into a simplistic chorus that just repeats "Save us" over and over. Despite the simplicity, I've learned that Jessy always does things deliberately, and never to question someone as lyrically talented as he is, even if this listener sometimes can't always see the meaning behind the lyrics. Following that, we get "That's Reanimation!," another uptempo track that keeps the album rolling along.

From there, we reach an album highlight with "Recruitment," which begins with nothing but a haunting piano intro and Jessy's beautiful voice carrying it into the crescendo that is its chorus. Things then begin to slow back down with "Processing," before slowing down even more with another album highlight, "Counter Moves," which kicks off the back half of the album. "Autumn 38" follows, bringing in a synthesizer-like sound to help pick up the tempo that continues with "Double Afterlife."

"Tall Grass in the Lobby" kicks in the guitar riffs and stands out as one of the heavier songs on the album, while "The Version" adds a perfect end cap to this musical journey. To say that in 2025 The Chilling Alpine Adventure was the album that I didn't know that I needed is a severe understatement. Everything flows together both musically and lyrically in a way that only Jessy can do. Here's to hoping that this is only the beginning of The Chilling Alpine Adventure's next chapter.

JFH Reader Review: Review date: 2/18/25, written by Matthew Spiker for Jesusfreakhideout.com