On the 18th of June, The Japanese House, the stage name of Amber Bain, released her new song called ‘:)’, lovingly dubbed ‘smiley face’.
The smile in this case refers to happiness found in a relationship that originated online.
A modern love story like no other, Bain summarises that the song is about meeting someone online, realising you’re a lesbian, falling in love, booking plane tickets to meet up, and moving halfway across the world all within a year. As a nod to the stereotype of lesbian relationships moving very fast, Bain jokingly warns “DO NOT attempt at home if straight” when talking about the song.
This energetic but sweet love song captures this excitement and the full speed with which the story moves. Drums are quick but soft, electric guitars sound, and swelling strings are added to soften it out again. The song ebbs and flows as is typical for the sound of the Japanese House, with no grand explosive choruses but consistent calming instrumentals with small variances that work incredibly well.
The title ‘:)’ describes the joy that is felt in this story. The lyrics in the verses tell the story in a pretty straightforward manner, describing late-night phone calls and a countdown to getting on a plane and meeting up, as well as funny nuances to meeting online like not knowing how to pronounce someone’s name and the fact that she could be anyone. Despite some acknowledgements that it all might sound insane moving so fast: “My friends all say it’s crazy, you know what, maybe it is”, the narrator knows deep down that things feel right, singing “Something’s happening, I feel happier” in the choruses, and this excited optimism is felt throughout the entire song.
This is The Japanese House’s first release since the release of her second album In The End It Always Does. ‘:)’ summarises this year, taking the listener along on what has gone down in her life and the happiness that has come with this, both the lyrics and instrumentals successfully convey this joy to the listener in a sweet catchy modern love song.
Written by: Marieke Weeda
Edited by: Ilse Muis
