Amber Bain’s work as the Japanese House has left an undeniable, lasting impression; it’s been nearly a year since we’ve heard any new music from the British Singer Songwriter, but both Clean and Pools To Bathe in remain collections of songs that resonate deeply.
Bain has broken her prolonged silence with Swim Against the Tide, her third ep, Which came out to support her November UK tour. lead single “Face Like Thunder” checks any outwardly melancholic tendencies at the door, instead offering up what’s arguably the most pop-oriented, clear-eyed Japanese House track to date. still, the listlessness of Bain’s lyrics persists underneath pristine synths and crisp drum programming, with forlorn verses folding into nostalgic, yearning hooks. take a listen to “Face Like Thunder”, we see the singer-songwriter, a.k.a. Amber Bain, drive through the picture in a pickup truck in the middle of a sunset. She walks symmetrically in the middle of the road, and as we get an overview of the roads, we see her body strategically placed for a quick glance. With this visual, she shows that even if you’re telling a melancholy story, your surroundings can still be beautiful.
The Fat Angel Sings 