Humanity of Heartache: “In the End it Always Does” Album Review
By Peyton Trout
The Japanese House’s sophomore studio album, “In the End it Always Does,” encapsulates the ebb-and-flow of heartache while showcasing the evolution of her musical style. Even those who haven’t experienced romantic hardship can find a semblance of relatability and humanity in the 12-track album.
The album takes us through the motions of a break-up while we’re surrounded by dance-y dream-pop beats mixed with guitar chords that are almost tangible. Amber Bain’s voice uniquely rises above her production and allows the listener to focus on the lyrics of her songs and the pain behind them. With “Sad to Breathe” she sings: “I can't tell if the things I have, I just don't want. Or the things I want, I just don't get.” The first few songs introduce the album’s prevalent theme of longing.
In the album’s fourth track, “Over There,” Bain again forces her listener to feel the deep, perturbed despair of losing someone you love – “There's not a lot to lose/When you've lost someone/And she's already gone.” The song follows Bain as she mourns the uneasiness of seeing a former lover after the missed opportunity for something beautiful to blossom. It’s the perfect song for those who allow their thoughts to spiral and question their interpersonal self-worth.
As the album continues, we are met with Bain’s signature dreamy production, which is layered with palpable guitar chords, adding to the push-and-pull of heartache. The third single for the album, “Sunshine Baby” – featuring background vocals from Matty Healy, lead singer of The 1975 – is a song that, to me, shows the most humanity of the entire album. The lyrics “I don’t know what’s right anymore/I don’t wanna fight anymore” and “hold on to this feeling ‘cause you won’t feel it for long” perfectly reflect the fleeting nature, longing, and anxiety of the fatigue you can feel in any scenario, not just heartbreak. Romantic feelings aside, listeners who have never endured heartache can find solace in these self-reflective lyrics.
“In the End it Always Does” is the perfect, sad indie dream-pop album for anyone. Whether you have endured heartache or not, Amber Bain has a special way of letting the listener feel the pain she feels through expert lyricism, production, and chord progression while also allowing us to mold it to our own experiences. The album shows The Japanese House’s evolution as an artist and demonstrates anybody can have the expansive feelings that come with heartache.
