Latitude is a special place for The Japanese House. It’s the festival where Amber Bain has spent many years hanging out with friends and sharing in the undeniable memories it brings. Now, she’s creating her own potent moments, and that touch of something special radiated throughout her set in the BBC Music tent.
The rich tapestries and hooks that have become the calling card of The Japanese House burst into technicolor as soon as she steps onto the stage. ‘Clean’ rises into a glorious hands in the air sense of bliss, ‘Swim Against The Tide’ chimes with a soft tropical charm and ‘Pools To Bathe In’ clicks a crystallised chill into captivating life. With a collection of EPs that each push into new boundaries, it’s a portfolio that thousands of artists would die to have three albums down the line, yet for The Japanese House it’s already a reality. By the time the dizzying gloss of ‘Face Like Thunder’ and ‘Saw You In A Dream’ open up, it’s already a home-run for those stumbling into her world.
If there’s something all too vital about The Japanese House, it’s that every note, lyric and melody is dead set on one thing. Bringing everyone together in a unified whole, a gathering of those who have experienced every emotion Amber sings about and more. The Japanese House may have first came to Latitude with mates, but she’s leaving leading a revolution.
Photos: Sarah Louise Bennett / Dork