Concert Review: The Japanese House Builds A Voice At MHOW
From Julien Baker to Phoebe Bridgers, the indie soundscape is seemingly head into a “Little Women” era. The acclaimed Louisa May Alcott novel has been praised, through centuries, for being one of the most progressive works to say a simple truth; “Women have feelings and thoughts about “others/men’s” ideas of them.” Being simultaneously defined as emotional yet voiceless has left young ladies bursting with creativity, and The Japanese House is rising amongst them to pen virtuous lyrics on a “woman’s world.”
The Japanese House’s concert is incredibly quiet and insular, which is why the packed crowd was so impressive. There is a presumption, when it comes to music and weekend adventures, that people quell from silence and stillness. Yet, life is a mood, and The Japanese House captures the many moods of being a young lady wavily flowing in love with life, her lovers, and herself. “You Seemed So Happy,” “Good Side In,” and “Lilo” might as well have been pages from a modern, Little women or, at least, the diary of a bright woman learning how to consistently feel herself shining. Ironically, even our intelligence cuts off when it comes to the needed wisdom to love and be happy. With a voice that plucks notes as if she is removing the feathered emotions of her verses, The Japanese House enraptured her crowd.
I always find it distinctly mesmerizing to see people cheer or give uproarious applause to songs that sing to feeling “down” or torn in half. From “Swim Against The Tide” to “Clean,” The Japanese House captured how every person is a world, and life is about deciding what aspects of our world we will show to others. Thus, she stays in place while her lips hover the mic as if to reveal to it “her world.” Once a song begins, the entire space hushes as if noise is being consumed by her lonesome guitar. No matter how much a drum might beat or bass might play, The Japanese House’s show always feels intimately silent. Thus, the ambiance furthered a truth about building your “inner voice;” the process is quiet.
I found a connection between Japanese House and Little Women in the fact that building your voice is an inner process, which, eventually, becomes public. You cannot build yourself without eventually revealing to others how you have newly constructed your thoughts and behaviors. For Japanese House, her voice is thoughtful because her lyrics are revelatory. Moreover, they show that you build a strong voice according to how you love and need to be loved. For More Information On Japanese House Click Here.
