LIVE REVIEW

10/05/2024 - The Japanese House, Albert Hall, Manchester

Credit: Emie Grimwood via Instagram (@emiescamera)

Words by Emily Jade Ricalton

Amber Bain, professionally known as The Japanese House, has a lot to be accredited for. Debuting her first EP Pools to Bathe In in 2015, Bain has been compared to the likes of James Blake and Bon Iver due to the basis of her electro-pop sound. Yet, she has established a sound like no other. She is an artist that holds grace and emotion in her music, and this translates at her live shows.

Commencing her second tour for the brilliant album, In the End it Always Does, Amber and her band proved that they are something to watch out for. Unique, romantic and captivating, The Japanese House is a live act that will forever be impressive. From distorted vocals to mellow guitar riffs, Bain’s live shows can only be described as magical, and with a venue like the Albert Hall in Manchester this show will be hard to forget. 

Kicking the sell-out show off in full force, The Japanese House began with the seductive Touching Yourself. A perfect opener to the concert. With crowds singing along and dancing to the joyful song, Bain proved she is an act that can cover all aspects of music.Touching Yourself is a crowd-pleaser and will forever remain this way. 

Credit: Emie Grimwood via Instagram (@emiescamera)

Transitioning into Sad to Breathe, which features a steady and slow introduction and continues into an up-beat song that captivates the ending of a long-term relationship, she kept the crowd going with this next song. Beginning her previous UK tour, which took place in October last year, with this song, Sad To Breathe is the perfect insight into the act. It was placed perfectly within the setlist, giving fans and concert goers a representation into the contrast of sounds and lyrics that Bain creates in her music. 

Amber then played Something Has To Change from her Chewing Cotton Wool EP, which was released back in 2020. The vibrant song was performed exquisitely and was later on paired with the tear-jerking Chewing Cotton Wool. Crafted through metaphors, this is a song that is hard to translate live. However, Bain smashed it. With a slow beat and gorgeously crafted lyrics, this song was beautifully projected in her performance. With the crowd singing along in an emotional manner and phone lights coming from every angle, this song was one of the best performances of the night. The crowd were brought together in a way that is hard to compete with. 

We were then introduced to tracks from her debut album Good at Falling. Even though this was released back in 2019, it was like the album was released just yesterday. With the crowd singing along, Bain played Follow My Girl, You Seemed So Happy, Worms, f a r a w a y and the notable Saw You in A Dream.

Credit: Emie Grimwood via Instagram (@emiescamera)

With the nostalgia running high, The Japanese House then continued the set with an outstanding encore performance of her first debut single Still. The enchanting beginning of this song was captivating, especially for those who have been following Amber since the start of her career. The song was a friendly reminder of how far she has developed and grown as an artist. Emotional to say the least, but the haunting guitar and warped vocals of Still, especially in a live setting, are an ode to the genre that she has maintained.

As the encore came to an end, Bain debuted her new song Smiley Face - a cheerful introduction to new music by the female artist. Similar to the likes of Touching Yourself and Friends, Smiley Face is a song that the crowd was able to have fun too, and believe me they did. Representing similarities to the 1975’s Wintering, even though I hate to compare the two, this new song had a sarcastic, country-esque humor to it that was captivating, yet unique. 

Credit: Emie Grimwood via Instagram (@emiescamera)

Finishing off her set with the beloved Sunshine Baby, The Japanese House proved that she is an act to look out for. With the crowd reciting every word, this song is one to be remembered. Being a personal favourite of mine due to its association with Bain’s dog, it was obvious to see that it was also a favourite of many others. The room was not only packed full of noise, but fans holding one another singing the words to one of the most perfectly crafted songs that I have heard for a long time.

With little to no flaws, the concert sounded like listening to the album on a streaming platform or vinyl record. It is safe to say that she is embarking on a journey into becoming a well-respected artist whose live shows are ones to watch out for.

Rating: 5/5

Listen to In The End It Always Does Here