Since nearly 15 years, the creator of Japanese Breakfast, Michelle Zauner, has established herself as a renowned artist in the indie music scene. She is famously known for transforming grief into art, and her minimalist approach to storytelling and DIY ethics have earned her the position of the most beloved individual in indie. Her bestselling and film-to-be memoir Crying at H Mart, having explored topics related to food, loss, and identity with her mother’s passing as well as her own life as a musician, is the launching point for a new era in creativity. Zauner’s next album For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) indicates the new course. The eight essential tracks in the disc exhibit her maturing as a creator.
Prior to Japanese Breakfast, Zauner was a member of the indie-rock band Little Big League. Her band’s song “Dark Matter” off These Are Good People foreshadows her interest in the universe and the emotional pains of adolescence. The raw guitar of the track and Zauner’s tormented vocals capture the angst of early adulthood, exploring loss and the enormity of the universe.
Japanese Breakfast’s first album Psychopomp was the product of heartache. Upon her mother’s diagnosis and subsequent passing, Zauner went back to her hometown and recorded the album, considering it to be one last try with music. “In Heaven,” the album’s opening track, captures the despair and confusion of loss, with lines such as, “The dog’s confused / she just paces around all day.” Even though the subject is somber, the song is lifted by lively rhythms and triumphant melodies, transforming sorrow into cathartic beauty.
On Zauner’s sophomore album, Soft Sounds from Another Planet, “The Body Is a Blade” mingles ethereal synths with stark lyrics regarding vulnerability and the passing of time. The song demonstrates Zauner’s development as a songwriter, playing with electronic textures while holding onto her emotional resonance. The song considers the fragility of the body and the emotional wounds of loss.
“Boyish,” also from Soft Sounds from Another Planet, is a affecting examination of self and gender. With lines like “I want to be your boyfriend,” Zauner probes concepts of self and desire. The song’s trance-like, languid beat heightens its emotional resonance, something that has been a signature element of her progressive sound.
In 2021, Zauner transformed her sound on “Be Sweet” from Jubilee. The song, with its ’80s-sounding synth-pop foundation, presents an uplifting message of love and bonding. Although the melody is upbeat and infectious, vulnerability in the lyrics provides substance to the song, conveying Zauner’s capability of merging happiness and self-reflection.
“Paprika,” another single from Jubilee, is a beautiful, celebratory track. Infectious energy and playful rhythms characterize this song as a move away from the melancholy of her previous work. The song is a celebration of life and of love, demonstrating Zauner’s capacity to create joy without losing her emotional complexity.
“Savage Good Boy,” from the same album, tackles masculinity and self-worth. With a raw, guitar-driven energy, Zauner critiques societal expectations and reflects on the complexities of relationships. The song’s candid lyrics, like “You’re a savage good boy,” highlight Zauner’s evolving narrative, balancing personal reflection with societal critique.
“Kokomo, IN” from For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) captures Zauner’s development as she moves into her next creative phase. The song marks a new phase in her journey with its evocative textures and reflective lyrics. The phrase, “And I’ll never come back,” leaves space for creative inquiry and new possibilities while implying finality and acceptance.
From her early, rough work with Little Big League to her current status as a respected artist in indie music, these eight songs map Zauner’s growth. Her search to make personal pain into art continues, and her next album appears to be an intriguing addition to her already long discography.
