Amber Bain, the creative force behind The Japanese House, is back with her new single, ‘Smiley Face’ (styled ‘:)’). The track, released via Dirty Hit, is a delightful ode to happiness, marrying country influences with Bain’s signature atmospheric sound.
“‘Smiley Face’ is a song I wrote when I was very excited about talking to someone off a dating app. She lived in Detroit and I was fantasising about flying to meet her. I was in a session at the time for someone else’s stuff but I couldn’t help this song spilling out of me, I was in some sort of frenzy. Turns out I did buy the plane tickets, now we’re engaged,” Bain revealed.
The single’s release coincides with Bain’s extensive tour schedule, which includes a headline tour across the US and a series of dates supporting Maggie Rogers. She will also grace the stage at the Reading and Leeds Festival this August, headlining the Festival Republic Stage.
Produced alongside George Daniel and Chloe Kraemer, ‘Smiley Face’ premiered on Huw Stephens’ BBC 6Music show, captivating listeners with its cheerful vibe and Bain’s heartfelt storytelling.
‘Smiley Face’ follows the success of The Japanese House’s second studio album In the End It Always Does, which received rave reviews from critics. The Independent described it as a record that “cools and shimmers its way through a delicious range of nuanced moods and subtly layered musical ideas,” while the Evening Standard called it “a sadder and more candid album from a great songwriter.”
Bain’s journey with The Japanese House began in 2015, and since then, she has evolved from a mysterious figure to an artist who openly shares her vulnerabilities and experiences through her music. Her latest album delves into themes of love, heartbreak, and personal growth, drawing from her own life, including a significant relationship and its eventual dissolution.
Reflecting on the album, Bain shared, “These two people were together for six years and I met them and then we all fell in love at the same time – and then one of them left. It was a ridiculously exciting start to a relationship. It was this high… And then suddenly I’m in this really domestic thing, and it’s not like there was other stuff going on – it was lockdown.”
In the End It Always Does showcases collaborations with notable artists like Matty Healy and George Daniel from The 1975, Katie Gavin from MUNA, and Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon. The production also features Chloe Kraemer, whose collaboration Bain described as “life-changing.”
The Japanese House has consistently garnered critical acclaim, with outlets like The Guardian, Sunday Times Culture, Pitchfork, and BBC Radio 1 praising Bain’s work. Her music is celebrated for its emotional depth, intricate production, and relatable storytelling.
The Japanese House 2024 Live Dates (* = w/ Maggie Rogers)
- 19th June – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek – Raleigh, NC *
- 20th June – Credit One Stadium – Charleston, SC *
- 21st June – The Beacham – Orlando, FL *
- 22nd June – FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park – Miami, FL *
- 26th June – Franklin Music Hall – Philadelphia, PA
- 27th July – The Rooftop at Pier 17 – New York, NY
- 28th July – Roxian Theatre – McKees Rocks, PA
- 29th July – Newport Music Hall – Columbus, OH
- 31st July – Metro – Chicago, IL
- 1st August – Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL
- 2nd August – Osheaga Festival – Montreal, QC
- 6th August – Boulder Theater – Boulder, CO
- 7th August – The Union Event Center – Salt Lake City, UT
- 9th August – Outside Lands – San Francisco, CA
- 11th August – Pioneer Courthouse Square – Portland, OR
- 12th August – Woodland Park Zoo Amphitheater – Seattle, WA
- 15th August – Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
- 23rd August – Leeds Festival – Leeds, UK
- 25th August – Reading Festival – Reading, UK
- 24th September – Scotiabank Arena – Toronto, ON
- 28th September – All Things Go Festival – Washington, DC
For more information, visit thejapanesehouse.co.uk/tour.
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