Japanese Breakfast
Formed: 2013
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Genre: Pop, Indie Pop
Years Active: 2013 -
Meaning of the Name: Zauner was inspired after seeing a GIF of Japanese food.
Core Members: Michelle Zauner
Way of Working: Led by Michelle Zauner
Associated: Little Big League
Essential Releases
Psychpomp (2016)
Debut album that explores grief using a lo-fi aesthetic.
Soft Sounds From
Another Planet (2017)
Introspective themes with atmospheric sounds.
Jubilee (2021)
Lush, orchestral music signifying growth and the hope of spring.
A product of America's liberal West Coast, Michelle Zauner's music boasts a thematic breadth that matches the more than five thousand miles between her birthplace and hometown. Born in Seoul, South Korea, she moved to Eugene, Oregon before her first birthday. Although separated by a great distance, a part of her would always be Korean.
Her various albums, ranging from lo-fi and atmospheric to premium fidelity and orchestral, are so intimate they could be self-portraits. Self-portraits infamously reveal how the subject perceives themself, which is no simple thing.
Indeed, Zauner is perhaps best known for her memoir Crying in H Mart, which was on the New York Times Bestsellers list for more than a year. The book details the complicated relationship between the singer and her strict, Korean mother, who was dying from pancreatic cancer.
As a bisexual woman, Zauner frequently courted her parents' disapproval. They weren't happy when she studied creative writing at university, but what concerned them most was her insistence on a career in music. For people in the West, it's easy to dismiss such criticism as 'controlling', but hyodo, a deep respect and obedience of elders, is a deeply ingrained aspect of Korean culture. The tension between wanting her parents' approval versus a desire to express herself later became a central aspect of Zauner's work.
Her best music was produced over three albums between 2016 and 2021. The first, Psychopomp (2016), is, on the surface, a heartbroken tale of grief written while caring for mother, but has hidden depths. Far from being one-note, the record features songs like 'In Heaven' about visiting angels, and employs a no-frills approach to production that amplifies the confessional lyrics.
The next years Soft Sounds From Another Planet reveals a person still working through grief. Here, however, a numb detachment replaces the rawer feelings of the previous work. The album employs dense atmospherics and a sci-fi aesthetic, 'as a means to disassociate from trauma.' Zauner became so disconnected she felt like he was on another world.
2021's critically acclaimed Jubilee emerges triumphant from grief into a spring of possibilities. As the closing chapter of an informal trilogy, the joy expressed here works so well because it was hard earned. Created by a rich array of instruments, tooting horns, and uplifting melodies, the record indicates an optimistic embrace of new life.
Looking at ourselves we often see through the eyes of others. The fact that Zauner's debut album features her mother, Chongmi, on the cover, shows how complex and nuanced the concept of self can be. To dive deeper into the resplendent pool of identity that is Japanese Breakfast, explore the albums listed above.
Skills
*This is a work in progress. Values are subjective.Emotional Impact
85
Mental Impact
45
Originality
70
Artistry
75
Authenticity
95
Live
90
Production
70
Musicianship
80
Singing
80
Songwriting
85
Danceability
65
Fun
55
Consistency
75
Range
70
Cool
40
Charisma
60
Commercial & Critical Success
Awards >>>
- Grammy Nominee 2022: Best New Artist
- Grammy Nominee 2022: Best Alternative Album
Certifications
Charts
Critics >>>
- Consequence of Sound: Jubilee - Best Albums of 2021: #2
- Paste: Jubilee - Best Albums of 2021: #5
- Slant: Jubilee - Best Albums of 2021: #1
CRITICISM
- You could reasonably expect a band called Japanese Breakfast to have at least one Japanese member. While true, this is only a minor criticism.
