Japanese Breakfast
{{Short description|American indie pop band}}
{{about|the band|the meal|Japanese breakfast}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Japanese Breakfast
| image = Japanese Breakfast at Day In Day Out Festival 02.jpg
| landscape = yes
| alt =
| caption = Frontwoman Michelle Zauner performing at the Day In Day Out Festival in Seattle, 2022
| alias =
| origin = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| genre = {{flatlist|
- Indie pop
- indie rock
- {{nowrap|dream pop}}
- shoegaze
- chamber pop
- {{nowrap|experimental pop}}
}}
| years_active = 2013–present
| label = {{flatlist|
- Ranch
- Seagreen
- Yellow K
- Dead Oceans
- Polyvinyl
- W Hotels
- Sony Masterworks
}}
| website = {{Official URL}}
| spinoff_of = Little Big League
| current_members =
- Michelle Zauner
- Craig Hendrix
- Peter Bradley
- Deven Craige
- Adam Schatz
- Lauren Baba
| past_members =
- Leslie Bear
- Kat Casale
}}
Japanese Breakfast is an American indie pop band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 2013. The project is fronted by vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter Michelle Zauner; she is joined in its current iteration by long-serving musicians Peter Bradley (guitar), Deven Craige (bass), and Craig Hendrix (drums, keyboards, backing vocals), as well as violinist Lauren Baba and saxophonist Adam Schatz, who have been with the ensemble since 2021.
Zauner started the band as a side project in 2013, when she was leading the Philadelphia-based emo group Little Big League. She has said that she named the band after seeing a GIF animation of Japanese breakfast.{{Cite web |title=Fine Ingredients with Kogonada & Michelle Zauner |url=https://a24films.com/notes/2022/03/fine-ingredients-with-kogonada-michelle-zauner |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=a24films.com |date=March 30, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630081136/https://a24films.com/notes/2022/03/fine-ingredients-with-kogonada-michelle-zauner |url-status=live }} She thought the term would be "exotic" to Americans, and that it would make others wonder what a "Japanese breakfast" consists of.{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2017 |title=Japanese Breakfast on Grief, Imposter Syndrome, and Korean Representation |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/japanese-breakfast-songwriter-empowering-everyone-overcome |access-date=July 9, 2022 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US |archive-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709192049/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/japanese-breakfast-songwriter-empowering-everyone-overcome |url-status=live }}
In 2014, she returned to her hometown of Eugene, Oregon, to care for her ailing mother. She continued to record music and songs, first to cope with stress, then, after her mother died, with grief. The songs eventually became Japanese Breakfast's debut studio album: Psychopomp (2016), released by Yellow K Records. Its critical and commercial success led Japanese Breakfast to sign with the record label Dead Oceans, which released the band's second and third studio albums: Soft Sounds from Another Planet (2017) and Jubilee (2021). Jubilee was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album and Japanese Breakfast for Best New Artist at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/2022-grammys-complete-winners-nominees-nominations-list|title=2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List|website=Grammys.com|date=November 23, 2021|access-date=November 23, 2021|archive-date=November 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211125170413/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/2022-grammys-complete-winners-nominees-nominations-list|url-status=live}} and became the band's first album to chart on the Billboard 200, where it peaked at 56.{{Cite magazine |title=Japanese Breakfast Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/japanese-breakfast/ |access-date=July 28, 2022 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711002105/https://www.billboard.com/artist/japanese-breakfast/ |url-status=live }} The project's fourth studio album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), was released in 2025.
History
= 2013–2016: Early releases and ''Psychopomp'' =
Japanese Breakfast's first release was a split with Saint Louis emo band Foxing on February 3, 2013, which featured Zauner's first recorded version of "The Woman That Loves You" (later re-recorded and released on 2016's "Psychopomp").{{cite web |title=Foxing/Japanese Breakfast Split |url=https://foxingtheband.bandcamp.com/album/foxing-japanese-breakfast-split |website=Bandcamp.com |publisher=Bandcamp}}
The second Japanese Breakfast release was June (2013), the result of a month-long project in which Zauner and Rachel Gagliardi recorded one song a day and posted them on the Tumblr blog rachelandmichelledojune.{{Cite web |date=July 1, 2013 |title=June - Japanese Breakfast |url=https://michellezauner.bandcamp.com/album/june |access-date=June 7, 2021 |website=Bandcamp |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211130001541/https://michellezauner.bandcamp.com/album/june |url-status=live }}
In 2014, Zauner participated as Japanese Breakfast in a song project with musicians Gabrielle Smith, Florist, Frankie Cosmos, and Small Wonder, who posted songs daily on the Tumblr blog may5to12songs. She released her songs from the project on Bandcamp as two digital albums: Where Is My Great Big Feeling?, released on June 6; and American Sound on June 24. Both were released weeks later as the cassette tape American Sound/Where Is My Great Big Feeling.{{Cite web|url=https://michellezauner.bandcamp.com/album/where-is-my-great-big-feeling|title=Where Is My Great Big Feeling? - Japanese Breakfast|website=Bandcamp|date=June 6, 2014|access-date=June 8, 2021|language=en|archive-date=February 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205211948/https://michellezauner.bandcamp.com/album/where-is-my-great-big-feeling|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://michellezauner.bandcamp.com/album/american-sound|title=American Sound - Japanese Breakfast|website=Bandcamp|date=July 24, 2014|access-date=June 8, 2021|language=en|archive-date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005210402/https://michellezauner.bandcamp.com/album/american-sound|url-status=live}}
While in Oregon with her family in 2014, Zauner continued recording as Japanese Breakfast, starting with samples of music as a meditative exercise and "instant gratification".{{cite web |last1=Hannah |first1=Andy |date=October 18, 2016 |title=In the Rugged Country: Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast tells Andy Hannah about the loss which brought her back to the Pacific Northwest. |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/longread/in-the-rugged-country-japanese-breakfast |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225170039/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/longread/in-the-rugged-country-japanese-breakfast |archive-date=December 25, 2016 |access-date=December 24, 2016 |website=The Line of Best Fit}} She said she had more to say after Tropical Jinx, the 2014 studio album by her emo group Little Big League.
In 2015, while working at an advertising agency, Zauner recorded her first studio album as Japanese Breakfast: Psychopomp, named for the mythological creature. She said her "dark and heavy-handed" record dealt with her mother's death, although she tried to make the music urgent and "sonically upbeat."{{cite web |last1=Gardin |first1=Russell |date=June 28, 2016 |title=Pop Music Has A Sense of Urgency: An Interview With Japanese Breakfast |url=http://www.freepresshouston.com/pop-music-has-a-sense-of-urgency-an-interview-with-japanese-breakfast/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225145458/http://www.freepresshouston.com/pop-music-has-a-sense-of-urgency-an-interview-with-japanese-breakfast/ |archive-date=December 25, 2016 |access-date=December 25, 2016 |website=FreePressHouston.com}}{{Cite web |title=Japanese Breakfast - Albums, Songs, and News |url=https://pitchfork.com/artists/33473-japanese-breakfast/ |access-date=June 25, 2020 |website=Pitchfork |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328041632/https://pitchfork.com/artists/33473-japanese-breakfast/ |url-status=live }} The album's rollout on Yellow K Records began in January 2016 with the release of the single "In Heaven" via Stereogum.{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2016 |title=Japanese Breakfast – "In Heaven" (Stereogum Premiere) |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1854241/japanese-breakfast-in-heaven-stereogum-premiere/news/ |access-date=July 8, 2022 |website=Stereogum |language=en |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314182541/https://www.stereogum.com/1854241/japanese-breakfast-in-heaven-stereogum-premiere/news/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Ian |date=January 25, 2016 |title=Japanese Breakfast: "In Heaven" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17934-japanese-breakfast-in-heaven/ |access-date=July 8, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Condé Nast |language=en-US |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708162018/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17934-japanese-breakfast-in-heaven/ |url-status=live }} A second single, titled "Everybody Wants to Love You" was released on February 18, 2016,{{Cite web |last=Moreland |first=Quinn |title=Japanese Breakfast: "Everybody Wants to Love You" |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17998-japanese-breakfast-everybody-wants-to-love-you/ |access-date=July 9, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Condé Nast |language=en-US |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322120833/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/17998-japanese-breakfast-everybody-wants-to-love-you/ |url-status=live }} and the album itself was released on April 1, 2016. Around this time, Japanese Breakfast signed with Dead Oceans, which on June 23, 2016, announced the signing and said Psychopomp would be re-released internationally. A music video for "Jane Cum" was also released the same day. To promote the album, the band opened for Japanese-American singer-songwriter Mitski alongside American musician Jay Som{{Cite web |last=Gaca |first=Anna |date=June 23, 2016 |title=Japanese Breakfast Shares 'Jane Cum' Video, Signs to Dead Oceans |url=http://www.spin.com/2016/06/japanese-breakfast-jane-cum-video-dead-oceans-signing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518001309/http://www.spin.com/2016/06/japanese-breakfast-jane-cum-video-dead-oceans-signing/ |archive-date=May 18, 2017 |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=Spin |publisher=Eldridge Industries}} and released a music video for the song "Everybody Wants to Love You"{{Cite web |date=September 21, 2016 |title=Watch Japanese Breakfast Shotgun Beer in New "Everybody Wants to Love You" Video |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/68437-watch-japanese-breakfast-shotgun-beer-in-new-everybody-wants-to-love-you-video/ |access-date=July 9, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709192049/https://pitchfork.com/news/68437-watch-japanese-breakfast-shotgun-beer-in-new-everybody-wants-to-love-you-video/ |url-status=live }} which was later ranked as the 154th best song of the 2010s decade by Quinn Moreland of Pitchfork.{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2019 |title=The 200 Best Songs of the 2010s |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-songs-of-the-2010s/ |access-date=July 9, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191011032035/https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-200-best-songs-of-the-2010s/ |url-status=live }}
By 2016, Japanese Breakfast had become a band, consisting initially of Zauner (lead vocals, guitars), Kat Casale (drums), and Craig Hendrix (drums, keyboards, bass, guitars). The band assumed its current lineup in 2017, when Leslie Bear briefly joined on bass, Casale left, and the band added Devin Craige (bass) and Peter Bradley (guitar).{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}}
= 2017–2018: ''Soft Sounds from Another Planet'' =
File:Japanese Breakfast live 2017.jpgOn May 4, 2017, Japanese Breakfast released the single "Machinist"{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/05/japanese-breakfast-machinist-video/|title=Japanese Breakfast Announces New Album, Shares "Machinist" Video|website=Spin|last=Gaca|first=Anna|date=May 4, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2021|language=en|archive-date=June 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607201732/https://www.spin.com/2017/05/japanese-breakfast-machinist-video/|url-status=live}} and announced the upcoming release of a second studio album, Soft Sounds from Another Planet, whose lyrics are largely concerned with Zauner's detachment and trauma.{{Cite web |title=Japanese Breakfast: Soft Sounds From Another Planet |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/japanese-breakfast-soft-sounds-from-another-planet/ |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706144909/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/japanese-breakfast-soft-sounds-from-another-planet/ |url-status=live }} The song "Boyish" was released as a single on June 7, 2017.{{Cite magazine|url=https://diymag.com/2017/06/07/japanese-breakfast-new-track-boyish-listen|title=Japanese Breakfast shares new track 'Boyish'|magazine=DIY|date=June 7, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2021|language=en|archive-date=September 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930164727/http://diymag.com/2017/06/07/japanese-breakfast-new-track-boyish-listen|url-status=live}} A third single from the album, "Road Head", was released on July 6, 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/07/06/535761302/japanese-breakfasts-road-head-hits-that-state-between-wired-and-zoned-out|title=Japanese Breakfast's 'Road Head' Hits That State Between Wired And Zoned Out|website=NPR|last=Gotrich|first=Lars|date=July 6, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2021|language=en|archive-date=April 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411124849/https://www.npr.org/2017/07/06/535761302/japanese-breakfasts-road-head-hits-that-state-between-wired-and-zoned-out|url-status=live}} The full album was released on July 14, 2017.{{Cite web |title=Japanese Breakfast - Music |url=http://japanesebreakfast.rocks/music |access-date=June 6, 2020 |website=japanesebreakfast.rocks |archive-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924171522/http://www.japanesebreakfast.rocks/music |url-status=live }} To promote the album, the band released a video game, "Japanese BreakQuest",{{cite web |last=Gaca |first=Anna |date=September 14, 2017 |title=Play Japanese Breakfast's New Browser Game, Japanese BreakQuest |url=https://www.spin.com/2017/09/japanese-breakfast-breakquest-rpg-computer-game/ |access-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607191739/https://www.spin.com/2017/09/japanese-breakfast-breakquest-rpg-computer-game/ |url-status=live }} in which the main character, "J-Brekkie", gathers a band to prevent an alien invasion. The game was developed by Zauner and game designer Elaine Fath, and uses songs from the album, rendered as 8-bit MIDI tracks by Peter Bradley. To support the album, Japanese Breakfast toured Oceania, Asia and North America{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2017 |title=Japanese Breakfast Reviews 2017: On Game Of Thrones, SZA, Blade Runner 2049, Mars One, & More |url=https://www.stereogum.com/1974583/japanese-breakfast-reviews-2017-on-game-of-thrones-sza-blade-runner-2049-mars-one-more/interviews/qa/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=Stereogum |language=en |archive-date=July 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713174831/https://www.stereogum.com/1974583/japanese-breakfast-reviews-2017-on-game-of-thrones-sza-blade-runner-2049-mars-one-more/interviews/qa/ |url-status=live }} from 2017 to 2019.{{Cite web |title=Soft Sounds and Big Moves: A Chat with Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner |url=https://www.kexp.org/read/2018/9/24/soft-sounds-and-big-moves-chat-japanese-breakfasts-michelle-zauner/ |access-date=July 13, 2022 |website=www.kexp.org |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704082544/https://kexp.org/read/2018/9/24/soft-sounds-and-big-moves-chat-japanese-breakfasts-michelle-zauner/ |url-status=live }} Along the way, the band opened for English shoegaze band Slowdive, American musician (Sandy) Alex G, and Canadian duo Tegan and Sara.{{Cite web |date=May 4, 2017 |title=Japanese Breakfast announces new album, shares "Machinist" video -- watch |url=https://consequence.net/2017/05/japanese-breakfast-announces-new-album-shares-machinist-video-watch/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Consequence |language=en-US |archive-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220715152210/https://consequence.net/2017/05/japanese-breakfast-announces-new-album-shares-machinist-video-watch/ |url-status=live }}
On October 19, 2017, a music video for "Body is a Blade" was released. It was animated using old family photographs and video of Zauner visiting locations from the photos. She described it as "a really personal mixed media piece, almost like a moving scrapbook".{{Cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2017/10/19/japanese-breakfast-new-video-the-body-is-a-blade-watch|title=Japanese Breakfast shares a new video for 'The Body Is A Blade'|website=DIY|date=October 19, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2021|language=en|archive-date=February 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209064252/https://diymag.com/news/japanese-breakfast-new-video-the-body-is-a-blade-watch|url-status=live}} On February 13, 2018, the music video for "Boyish" was released. It depicts a girl going to a high school dance, where Zauner and her band, accompanied by fellow indie musician Leslie Bear, are playing a set.{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1982882/japanese-breakfast-boyish-video/news/|title=Japanese Breakfast – "Boyish" Video|website=Stereogum|last=Rettig|first=James|date=February 13, 2018|access-date=June 6, 2021|language=en|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606204936/https://www.stereogum.com/1982882/japanese-breakfast-boyish-video/news/|url-status=live}} The video also features a cameo appearance by musician Lindsey Jordan and was directed by Zauner, who at the time of its release described it as her "favorite video yet" and has retrospectively considered it to be her "magnum opus".{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2018/02/13/watch-japanese-breakfasts-boyish-video|title=Watch Japanese Breakfast's "Boyish" video|website=The Fader|last=Maicki|first=Salvatore|date=February 13, 2018|access-date=June 6, 2021|language=en|archive-date=February 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209064248/https://www.thefader.com/2018/02/13/watch-japanese-breakfasts-boyish-video|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2019/03/japanese-breakfast-takes-the-directors-seat/|title=Japanese Breakfast Takes the Director's Seat|website=Spin|last=Fine|first=Gabriel|date=March 21, 2019|access-date=June 9, 2021|language=en|archive-date=September 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920225816/https://www.spin.com/2019/03/japanese-breakfast-takes-the-directors-seat/|url-status=live}}
=2018–2024: ''Jubilee'' and ''Sable''=
File:Japanese Breakfast (41743551684).jpg]]
In 2018, indie game developer Shedworks sent Zauner preliminary images from their video game Sable and commissioned her to write its soundtrack.{{cite web |last=Wicks |first=Amanda |date=June 11, 2018 |title=Japanese Breakfast Soundtracks New Video Game "Sable" |website=Pitchfork |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/japanese-breakfast-soundtracks-new-video-game-sable/ |access-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005192130/https://pitchfork.com/news/japanese-breakfast-soundtracks-new-video-game-sable/ |url-status=live }} Unlike the pop songs she writes for Japanese Breakfast, the Sable soundtrack is mostly ambient music. Zauner took inspiration from other game soundtracks, notably the soundtracks to the Final Fantasy games, Secret of Mana (1993), Chrono Cross (1999) and two games in The Legend of Zelda series: Majora's Mask (2000) and Breath of the Wild (2017). Her commission was announced during E3 2018. The game was to be released in 2019, but was delayed twice.{{cite web |last=Horti |first=Samuel |date=March 28, 2021 |title=Sable: Everything we know so far |website=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/sable-game-release-date-everything-we-know/ |access-date=June 7, 2021 |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202025421/https://www.pcgamer.com/sable-game-release-date-everything-we-know/ |url-status=live }} In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, Zauner began reworking the songs after playing updated versions of the game.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=September 23, 2021 |title=Japanese Breakfast on composing Sable's sprawling ambient soundtrack |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/23/22688375/sable-soundtrack-music-composer-japanese-breakfast-interview |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=July 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712004715/https://www.theverge.com/2021/9/23/22688375/sable-soundtrack-music-composer-japanese-breakfast-interview |url-status=live }} The game and its soundtrack were released on September 23, 2021.{{cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=June 10, 2021 |title=Sable: Beautiful Gliding Adventure Finally Launches in September - Summer of Gaming |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sable-beautiful-gliding-adventure-finally-launches-september-summer-of-gaming |access-date=June 10, 2021 |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317071901/https://www.ign.com/articles/sable-beautiful-gliding-adventure-finally-launches-september-summer-of-gaming |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Horti |first=Samuel |date=March 28, 2021 |title=Sable: Everything we know so far |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/sable-game-release-date-everything-we-know/ |access-date=June 7, 2021 |website=PC Gamer |archive-date=December 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202025421/https://www.pcgamer.com/sable-game-release-date-everything-we-know/ |url-status=live }}
In 2019, Japanese Breakfast released two singles under the W Hotels music label: "Essentially" and a cover of the Tears for Fears song "Head over Heels." Zauner recorded the singles in Bali, which she described as a "glamorous change" because she had typically recorded in "cold studios."{{Cite web |date=April 26, 2019 |title=Japanese Breakfast Shares New Song "Essentially": Listen |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/japanese-breakfast-shares-new-song-essentially-listen/ |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717190738/https://pitchfork.com/news/japanese-breakfast-shares-new-song-essentially-listen/ |url-status=live }} Proceeds from the latter single were donated to the American Civil Liberties Union.{{Cite web |last=Roberts |first=Christopher |title=Japanese Breakfast Shares Cover of Tears For Fears' "Head Over Heels" |url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/japanese_breakfast_shares_cover_of_tears_for_fears_head_over_heels |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=Under the Radar |language=en |archive-date=July 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717190635/https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/japanese_breakfast_shares_cover_of_tears_for_fears_head_over_heels |url-status=live }} That year, Zauner told Flood Magazine that she aimed to make a "fun album" for Japanese Breakfast's third album.{{Cite web |last=Schube |first=Will |date=September 19, 2019 |title=In Conversation: Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner Would Like to Make a Fun Album |url=https://floodmagazine.com/68173/in-conversation-japanese-breakfasts-michelle-zauner-would-like-to-make-a-fun-album/ |access-date=July 31, 2022 |website=FLOOD |language=en |archive-date=July 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731020045/https://floodmagazine.com/68173/in-conversation-japanese-breakfasts-michelle-zauner-would-like-to-make-a-fun-album/ |url-status=live }} This would manifest as Jubilee, her second studio album for the Dead Oceans label.{{Cite web |last=Mapes |first=Jillian |date=June 7, 2021 |title=Japanese Breakfast: Jubilee |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/japanese-breakfast-jubilee/ |access-date=July 1, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Condé Nast |language=en-US |archive-date=January 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126113953/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/japanese-breakfast-jubilee/ |url-status=live }}
File:Japanese Breakfast - 51525768279.jpg in Seattle]]
The rollout of Jubilee began on March 2, 2021, with the release of the album's lead single, "Be Sweet", and a video for the song.{{Cite web |last=Wren |first=Graves |date=March 2, 2021 |title=Japanese Breakfast announces new album Jubilee, Shares "Be Sweet": Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2021/03/japanese-breakfast-jubilee-be-sweet-stream/ |access-date=July 11, 2022 |website=Consequence |language=en-US |archive-date=September 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928140211/https://consequence.net/2021/03/japanese-breakfast-jubilee-be-sweet-stream/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Dahlia |date=March 9, 2021 |title=Japanese Breakfast Is Back to Take on the World with "Be Sweet" |url=https://atwoodmagazine.com/jbbs-japanese-breakfast-be-sweet-song-review/ |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=Atwood Magazine |language=en-US |archive-date=May 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528235711/https://atwoodmagazine.com/jbbs-japanese-breakfast-be-sweet-song-review/ |url-status=live }} Two other singles—"Posing in Bondage"{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2021 |title=Japanese Breakfast - "Posing In Bondage" |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2143306/japanese-breakfast-posing-in-bondage/music/ |access-date=July 10, 2022 |website=Stereogum |language=en |archive-date=January 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126113929/https://www.stereogum.com/2143306/japanese-breakfast-posing-in-bondage/music/ |url-status=live }} and "Savage Good Boy"{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=May 19, 2021 |title=Japanese Breakfast share new single "Savage Good Boy": Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2021/05/japanese-breakfast-savage-good-boy-stream/ |access-date=July 11, 2022 |website=Consequence |language=en-US |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411124956/https://consequence.net/2021/05/japanese-breakfast-savage-good-boy-stream/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=May 19, 2021 |title=Japanese Breakfast Enlists Michael Imperioli for New "Savage Good Boy" Video |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/japanese-breakfast-enlists-michael-imperioli-for-new-savage-good-boy-video-watch/ |access-date=July 10, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Condé Nast |language=en-US |archive-date=January 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126113931/https://pitchfork.com/news/japanese-breakfast-enlists-michael-imperioli-for-new-savage-good-boy-video-watch/ |url-status=live }}—were released before the album itself dropped on June 4. Zauner said the album was inspired by joy, in contrast to earlier Japanese Breakfast albums,{{Cite web |date=June 4, 2021 |title=The Story Behind Every Song On Japanese Breakfast's New Album 'Jubilee' |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2145608/japanese-breakfast-interview-track-by-track/interviews/footnotes-interview/ |access-date=May 27, 2022 |website=Stereogum |language=en |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531123603/https://www.stereogum.com/2145608/japanese-breakfast-interview-track-by-track/interviews/footnotes-interview/ |url-status=live }} and that she was inspired to "go big" by Icelandic musician Björk's third album, Homogenic (1997).{{Cite web |date=March 8, 2021 |title=Japanese Breakfast Is Working the Pain Away |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/japanese-breakfast-interview-jubilee-crying-in-h-mart/ |access-date=May 27, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=January 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126173713/https://pitchfork.com/features/profile/japanese-breakfast-interview-jubilee-crying-in-h-mart/ |url-status=live }} Jubilee was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album and Japanese Breakfast for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, but lost at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards to St. Vincent's album Daddy's Home and to Olivia Rodrigo.{{Cite web |title=2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners & Nominations List |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/2022-grammys-complete-winners-nominees-nominations-list |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=www.grammy.com |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128100148/https://www.grammy.com/news/2022-grammys-complete-winners-nominees-nominations-list |url-status=live }} On August 7, Japanese Breakfast embarked on the Jubilee Tour.{{Cite magazine |last=Martoccio |first=Angie |date=April 8, 2021 |title=Japanese Breakfast Drops Spooky 'Posing in Bondage' Video, Announces Tour Dates |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/japanese-breakfast-posing-in-bondage-tour-1152254/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |access-date=July 10, 2022 |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411124959/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/japanese-breakfast-posing-in-bondage-tour-1152254/ |url-status=live }}
In March 2022, Japanese Breakfast announced that they would open for English indie rock band Florence and the Machine{{Cite web |date=March 28, 2022 |title=Florence and the Machine Announce 2022 North American Tour |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/florence-and-the-machine-announce-2022-north-american-tour/ |access-date=July 9, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=July 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220709192052/https://pitchfork.com/news/florence-and-the-machine-announce-2022-north-american-tour/ |url-status=live }} and American indie rock bands the National{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2022 |title=The National announce 2022 tour dates with Japanese Breakfast, Lucy Dacus |url=https://consequence.net/2022/03/the-national-2022-tour-dates/ |access-date=July 10, 2022 |website=Consequence |language=en-US |archive-date=July 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710150803/https://consequence.net/2022/03/the-national-2022-tour-dates/ |url-status=live }} and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.{{Cite web |last=Zauner |first=Michelle |date=June 22, 2022 |title=Opening for my heroes @yeahyeahyeahs @foresthillsstadium with @the_linda_lindas in NEW YORK CITY BB |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CfHPuVMgBps/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=Instagram}}
In mid-2022, Japanese Breakfast and Chicago-based Goose Island Brewery teamed up to produce a limited-edition lager named "Be Sweet" after the song. The beer was sold at the Pitchfork Music Festival in July 2022; proceeds were donated to Heart of Dinner, a charity that helps elderly Asian-Americans who struggle with food insecurity in New York City.{{Cite web |date=June 28, 2022 |title=Japanese Breakfast and Goose Island Announce Limited-Edition Beer for Pitchfork Music Festival 2022 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/japanese-breakfast-and-goose-island-announce-limited-edition-beer-for-pitchfork-music-festival-2022/ |access-date=July 7, 2022 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US |archive-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706141654/https://pitchfork.com/news/japanese-breakfast-and-goose-island-announce-limited-edition-beer-for-pitchfork-music-festival-2022/ |url-status=live }}
In October 2023, after the end of the Jubilee Tour, Zauner said she planned to move in December to Seoul, South Korea, for a year to work on a new album and a new book.{{Cite web |last=Rettig |first=James |date=October 8, 2023 |title=Watch Japanese Breakfast Play Little Big League's "Lindsey" And Talk Crying in H Mart Movie At The New Yorker Festival |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2238431/watch-japanese-breakfast-play-little-big-leagues-lindsey-and-talk-crying-in-h-mart-movie-at-the-new-yorker-festival/news/ |access-date=April 18, 2024 |website=Stereogum}}
=2025–present: ''For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)''=
The band's fourth album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), recorded at Sound City Studios in Los Angeles and produced by Blake Mills, was released by Dead Oceans on March 21, 2025.{{Cite web |last=DeLuca |first=Dan |date=2025-01-07 |title=Japanese Breakfast returns with a new album and a show at the Met Philly this year |url=https://www.inquirer.com/entertainment/music/japanese-breakfast-michelle-zauner-for-melancholy-brunettes-sad-women-tour-20250107.html |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Millman |first=Ethan |date=2025-03-21 |title=Japanese Breakfast Release New Album ‘For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)’ |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/japanese-breakfast-release-album-for-melancholy-brunettes-1236169655/ |access-date=2025-03-31 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}
On March 18, 2025, the band revealed on social media that they had written a song for Celine Song's 2025 film Materialists.{{Cite web |last=Kurp |first=Josh |date=2025-03-18 |title=A24’s ’Materialists’ Includes Original Song From Japanese Breakfast |url=https://uproxx.com/indie/materialists-trailer-dakota-johnson-chris-evans-pedro-pascal-japanese-breakfast/ |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=UPROXX |language=en-US}} On July 10, 2025, the band appeared as a featured artist on the Silica Gel single "NamgungFefere" (南宮Fefere), with Zauner contributing vocals and lyrics.{{Cite web |date=2025-07-02 |title=Silica Gel to release new song 'Fefere' on July 10 |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-07-02/entertainment/musicPerformance/Silica-Gel-to-release-new-song-Fefere-on-July-10/2343841 |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=koreajoongangdaily.joins.com |language=en}} "NamgungFefere" marks the first time Zauner has written Korean lyrics for a song.{{Cite web |last=Daly |first=Rhian |date=2025-07-02 |title=Japanese Breakfast on finally playing Glastonbury: “It was hard won” |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/japanese-breakfast-glastonbury-2025-interview-silica-gel-3874403 |access-date=2025-07-10 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}
Musical style
File:Japanese Breakfast (41743545194).jpg
Japanese Breakfast's sound has primarily been described as indie pop{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Patrick |date=2022-06-16 |title=Review {{!}} Japanese Breakfast's ethereal pop cools a humid night at Wolf Trap |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/06/16/japanese-breakfast-wolf-trap/ |access-date=2022-10-30 |issn=0190-8286}}{{Cite web |last=Yalcinkaya |first=Gunseli |date=2017-07-14 |title=Japanese Breakfast – 'Soft Sounds From Another Planet' review |url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/album-reviews/japanese-breakfast-soft-sounds-another-planet/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Crack Magazine |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117165728/https://crackmagazine.net/article/album-reviews/japanese-breakfast-soft-sounds-another-planet/ |url-status=live }} containing elements of experimental pop,{{Cite web |last=Geslani |first=Michelle |date=May 4, 2017 |title=Japanese Breakfast announces new album, shares "Machinist" video — watch |url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/05/japanese-breakfast-announces-new-album-shares-machinist-video-watch/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506101730/https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/05/japanese-breakfast-announces-new-album-shares-machinist-video-watch/ |archive-date=May 6, 2017 |access-date=May 31, 2017 |website=Consequence of Sound}}{{Cite web |last=Cai |first=Delia |date=2022-03-31 |title=The Grammys Interview: Japanese Breakfast's Michelle Zauner Has Had Quite a Year |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/03/grammys-japanese-breakfast-michelle-zauner |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=Vanity Fair |publisher=Condé Nast |language=en-US |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927133006/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2022/03/grammys-japanese-breakfast-michelle-zauner |url-status=live }} lo-fi, dream pop{{cite web |last=Brodsky |first=Rachel |date=May 30, 2021 |title=Japanese Breakfast: If I had cancer like my mother's, 'I would just euthanise myself' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/japanese-breakfast-interview-michelle-zauner-b1854878.html |access-date=January 19, 2022 |website=The Independent |archive-date=December 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229111028/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/japanese-breakfast-interview-michelle-zauner-b1854878.html |url-status=live }} and indie rock.{{Cite web |last=Hahn |first=Rachel |date=2018-07-24 |title=Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast Is the Newest Festival Style Star to Watch |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/japanese-breakfast-tour-michelle-zauner-pitchfork-music-festival-onstage-festival-style |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=Vogue |publisher=Condé Nast |language=en-US |archive-date=October 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030015919/https://www.vogue.com/article/japanese-breakfast-tour-michelle-zauner-pitchfork-music-festival-onstage-festival-style |url-status=live }} The band's early releases, including Psychopomp, have been described as lo-fi{{Cite web |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=2016-03-29 |title=Japanese Breakfast: Psychopomp |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21629-psychopomp/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Condé Nast |language=en-US |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117165726/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/21629-psychopomp/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Rindner |first=Grant |date=2016-08-10 |title=Japanese Breakfast serve up smart, steamy pop with intelligence and bite |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/japanese-breakfast-psychopomp |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117165727/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/japanese-breakfast-psychopomp |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Corcoran |first=Nina |date=2016-03-31 |title=Album Review: Japanese Breakfast – Psychopomp |url=https://consequence.net/2016/03/album-review-japanese-breakfast-psychopomp/ |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Consequence |language=en-US |archive-date=May 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531174800/https://consequence.net/2016/03/album-review-japanese-breakfast-psychopomp/ |url-status=live }} while later releases, including the band's second and third albums, Soft Sounds from Another Planet and Jubilee have primarily been labeled as indie pop with elements of shoegaze and chamber pop.{{Cite web |last=Savage |first=Rowan |date=2017-07-19 |title=Music Review: Japanese Breakfast - Soft Sounds From Another Planet |url=https://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/japanese-breakfast-soft-sounds-another-planet |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=Tiny Mix Tapes |language=en |archive-date=November 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117165726/https://www.tinymixtapes.com/music-review/japanese-breakfast-soft-sounds-another-planet |url-status=live }} Sable has been described as ambient music.{{Cite web |last=Rowley |first=Glenn |date=2021-09-24 |title=Japanese Breakfast releases Sable video game soundtrack: Stream |url=https://consequence.net/2021/09/japanese-breakfast-sable-soundtrack-stream/ |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Consequence |language=en-US |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229171442/https://consequence.net/2021/09/japanese-breakfast-sable-soundtrack-stream/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Yu |first=Zhenzhen |date=2021-09-24 |title=Japanese Breakfast: Sable (Original Video Game Soundtrack) |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/japanese-breakfast-sable-original-video-game-soundtrack/ |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Condé Nast |language=en-US |archive-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321222448/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/japanese-breakfast-sable-original-video-game-soundtrack/ |url-status=live }}
The band has re-recorded and re-released songs to give them wider audiences. Psychopomp includes songs from American Sound and Where Is My Great Big Feeling.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Eugenie |date=2016-07-28 |title=Pleasure pop catharsis: Japanese Breakfast |url=https://diymag.com/interview/japanese-breakfast-interview-2016 |access-date=2022-12-29 |website=DIY |language=en |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229171503/https://diymag.com/interview/japanese-breakfast-interview-2016 |url-status=live }} Soft Sounds includes "Boyish", originally released as "Day 6" on June. Jubilee includes "In Hell", originally a bonus track on the Japanese deluxe edition of Soft Sounds.{{Cite news |last=Boilen |first=Bob |date=July 14, 2017 |title=Japanese Breakfast Explains 'Soft Sounds From Another Planet,' Track By Track |language=en |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2017/07/14/536439859/japanese-breakfast-soft-sounds-from-another-planet |access-date=July 30, 2022 |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816051244/https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2017/07/14/536439859/japanese-breakfast-soft-sounds-from-another-planet |url-status=live }}
Band members
- Michelle Zauner – lead vocals, guitar (2013–present)
- Craig Hendrix – drums, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals (2017–present), bass (2016–2017), guitar (2017, 2025–present)
- Deven Craige – bass guitar (2017–present)
- Peter Bradley – guitar (2017–present)
- Lauren Baba – violin, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (2021–present)
- Adam Schatz – saxophone, keyboards, percussion, backing vocals (2021–present)
Former members
- Leslie Bear – bass, backing vocals (2017)
- Kat Casale – drums, percussion (2016–2017)
Discography
{{Infobox artist discography
| Artist = Japanese Breakfast
| Studio = 4
| Compilation = 1
| Soundtrack = 1
| EP = 8
| Singles = 13
}}
= Studio albums =
=Soundtrack albums=
= Compilation albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |
| scope="col"| Title
! scope="col"| Album details |
|---|
| scope="row"|June
|
|
= EPs =
= Singles =
== As featured artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
! scope="col"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Album |
| scope="row"| "Maybes"{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/maybes-feat-japanese-breakfast-edit-single/1274078525|title=Maybes (feat. Japanese Breakfast) [Edit] - Single by Giraffage on Apple Music|work=Apple Music (US)|access-date=April 28, 2021|archive-date=April 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210428175049/https://music.apple.com/us/album/maybes-feat-japanese-breakfast-edit-single/1274078525|url-status=live}} {{small|(Giraffage featuring Japanese Breakfast)}} |2017 |Too Real |
|---|
| scope="row"| "NamgungFefere" {{small|(Silica Gel featuring Japanese Breakfast)}} |2025 | {{N/A|Non-album single}} |
=Music videos=
| class="wikitable"
|+ ! scope="col" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col" style="width:16em;"| Director(s) !{{Refh}} |
| "In Heaven"
| rowspan="3" |2016 | rowspan="2" |Adam Kolodny |
| "Jane Cum" |
| "Everybody Wants To Love You"
|Michelle Zauner and Adam Kolodny |
| "Machinist"
| rowspan="3" |2017 | rowspan="10" |Michelle Zauner |
| "Road Head" |
| "The Body Is a Blade" |
| "Boyish"
|2018 |
| "Be Sweet"
| rowspan="3" |2021 |
| "Posing in Bondage" |
| "Savage Good Boy" |
| "Orlando in Love"
| rowspan="4" |2025 |
| "Picture Window" |
| "Mega Circuit" |
| "Winter in LA"
|Peter Ash Lee & Michelle Zauner |
= Notes =
{{notelist-ua}}
Tours
=Headlining=
- Psychopomp Tour (2016–2017)
- Soft Sounds from Another Planet Tour (2017–2019)
- Jubilee Tour (2021–2022)
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0003475118}}
- {{Bandcamp|michellezauner|Japanese Breakfast}}
- {{discogs artist}}
- {{IMDb name|id=12733338}}
{{Japanese Breakfast}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Japanese Breakfast}}
Category:Musical groups from Philadelphia
Category:2013 establishments in Oregon
Category:American dream pop musical groups
Category:Indie rock musical groups from Oregon