The Japanese House - In The End It Always Does (Album Review)
Friday, 30 June 2023
Written by Craig Howieson
Photo: Jay Seba
The cover of ‘In the End It Always Does’ depicts an imperfect circle drawn crudely by hand. It is an apt summation of the themes driving Amber Bain’s second album as The Japanese House.
While detailing the formation, development and ultimate dissolution of a relationship, Bain is acutely aware that real life does not recognise perfection, but that we have to try to move forward all the same.
When looking back at past relationships it is hard to remember the little nuances that made it special.
All too often memories are punctured by giddy highs or bone-shaking lows. But on ‘In the End It Always Does’ Bain uses captivating synth-pop to encapsulate even the most mundane moments that define our time spent with others.
On Over There, surrounded by swells of strings and Auto-Tune she asks, “Do you want to get some air?” and the sincerity with which it is delivered elevates it from a throwaway question to a profound reassurance. Baby Goes Again is a more acoustic affair, but shows off Bain’s ability to deliver heartfelt vulnerability devoid of any embellishments.
Her unique handle on melody also lends the record a half-dreamt quality. There are moments you could swear you’ve heard before, while others pop back into your head long after the closing notes of piano on the closing single One For Sorrow Two For Joni Jones have faded out.
It's something that will make it an immediate soundtrack for festival season—its entrancing, dreamscape ambience being the perfect soundtrack for those dancing until the sun sets, as well as those poking their heads out of tents to bask in its first rays.
Many of the most interesting shifts in alternative music of the last 10 years have had a decidedly pop sheen, and in enlisting Matty Healy and George Daniel from The 1975, Muna’s Katie Gavin and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon for this record Bain firmly aligns herself with those innovators.
But rather than overshadow her, they arrive as equals, sharing in the creative process with a contemporary who shines just as bright in her own regard. The circle on its cover may not be perfect, but the tracks contained within ‘In The End It Always Does’ come pretty close.
The Japanese House Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu October 12 2023 - GLASGOW SWG3 TV Studio
Sat October 14 2023 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Newcastle University
Sun October 15 2023 - MANCHESTER New Century
Mon October 16 2023 - NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
Wed October 18 2023 - BRISTOL Trinity
Thu October 19 2023 - OXFORD O2 Academy2 Oxford
Fri October 20 2023 - SOUTHAMPTON 1865
Sun October 22 2023 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy2 Birmingham
Mon October 23 2023 - LONDON HERE at Outernet
Tue October 24 2023 - BRIGHTON Chalk
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