EP: The Japanese House – Swim Against The Tide

Coming off the back of two critically acclaimed EP’s with Clean and Pools To Bathe In, the experimentative sound of  The Japanese House bring us yet again another absorbing EP.

Undeniably unique, Swim Against The Tide once more plays with the distinguishable voice of Amber Bain; drawing on that infectious use of layering vocals to create sensual melodies distinctive to herself

Opening with the title track, ‘Swim Against The Tide’ leaves a soft touch of melodic voice overalls in the ear. Complimented perfectly by that familiar sound of synths and vocoders, plus throwing in a playful steel pan just to show The Japanese House are still happy to allow their musical experimentations to evolve.

It is unmistakable throughout the album, as seen in ‘Face Like Thunder’, that Bain is not shy to reach out to different platform genres. Leaking onto the pop side of certain tones within the track, Bain still manages to keep grounded to that subtle individuality, while putting forth her EP to an audience looking for a more upbeat tone.

Swim Against The Tide still keeps itself as eerie and haunting as ever, yet somehow delicately allowing brief moments of upbeat tonal harmonies and musical interludes to originate, without losing any of the distinction that The Japanese House have come to be known for since bursting into our sound waves.

Swim Against The Tide is out now via Dirty Hit.

Mickey F