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Atwood Magazine's contributors talk about Japanese Breakfast’s fourth album, ‘For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women),’ which is an adventurous exploration of mythology and a poignant look at identity, sorrow, and girlhood. Featured writers include Adam Davidson, Hannah Burns, Josh Weiner, Kylie Gurewitz, and Marc Maleri.
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To kick off, what’s your connection to Japanese Breakfast’s music?
Josh Weiner: I consider myself a casual fan. I was fortunate to see them live twice in a two-month period back in 2022—first at Boston Calling and then at Lollapalooza. This motivated me to dive into their album Jubilee, which I really liked, especially the single “Be Sweet.” So, I’m interested in their new project, For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women).
Kylie Gurewitz: I’m an occasional listener of Japanese Breakfast. Before Jubilee, I was familiar only with “Boyish” and “Road Head.” I really got into Jubilee in 2022, particularly enjoying “Paprika” and “Slide Tackle.” I started reading ‘Crying in H Mart’ but had to return it to the library; however, after hearing this album, I plan to finish it. I hope to see them live during this album cycle.
Adam Davidson: I discovered them when Jubilee was released; it came highly recommended from various sources. I added it to my listening queue and was pleasantly surprised. Jubilee quickly became one of my favorite albums of 2021 from a band I hadn't heard about before. So when I learned they were releasing a new album, I was eager to listen to it.
Marc Maleri: I’m somewhat familiar with their discography, with Jubilee being the album I know best. I often heard tracks from that album while working various serving jobs. Their music evokes fun yet stressful memories, so I’m excited to hear this new record. Michelle Zauner’s voice has always intrigued me, particularly in this project that allows it to shine in more stripped-back moments.
Hannah Burns: I discovered Japanese Breakfast in high school and played “Boyish” and “Road Head” obsessively from Soft Sounds. I didn’t revisit Psychopomp until I read Zauner’s memoir, which made for a bittersweet introduction to the album. I loved all the songs. Last year, I attended one of the final shows of the Jubilee tour at Radio City, and she was mesmerizing—one of the best concerts I’ve experienced in the city.
Japanese Breakfast © Pak Bae
What are your first impressions of For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)?
Kylie: My initial thought was that it’s a stunning record. Sonically, it's beautiful, striking a balance between atmospheric and stripped back.
Adam: It certainly shows growth since Jubilee. It’s not just an evolution; the band has clearly honed their craft over the last four years. It’s a great album to listen to while daydreaming, which is usually a good sign. There’s a surge of female-led bands currently across genres, and Japanese Breakfast is riding that wave successfully.
It’s an impressively concise album; I don’t often say this, but it could have included a couple more tracks. It's astonishing how much is packed into the 30-minute runtime, and yet the arrangements are so delicate. Often when I listen to For Melancholy Brunettes…, it feels like only a few minutes pass before Jeff Bridges appears—then I realize it’s almost over since he’s on the 8th track!
Marc: It’s tight and succinct. I love a shorter album with a cohesive vibe, and Japanese Breakfast achieved just that. I was also surprised by the number of mythological references and themes explored in the 32-minute album, from mentions of Venus to direct influences in tracks like “Leda.” After my first listen, I noticed how sonically different this album is compared to their last.
Hannah: It’s fantastic—not in a generic sense of the word. It possesses a dreamy quality that immerses the listener in the melancholy Zauner conveys, all through a lovely romantic lens. “Crisp” fits as a descriptor for both the album’s brevity and the seasonal change I associate with it.
Josh: I just listened to it this morning while driving to work—my commute is about half an hour, the same length as the album, making it a perfect fit for the drive. I echo the praises of my Atwood colleagues; this is an enchanting and immediately enjoyable record. I’m pleased it made such a positive first impression, and I look forward to digging deeper into it on repeat listens.
How does this album compare to 2021’s Jubilee? What are the most noticeable similarities or differences?
Kylie: This album feels more introspective and stripped back to me. Jubilee was more of a departure from the traditional indie band sound and had a more upbeat feel
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The writers at Atwood Magazine explore Japanese Breakfast’s fourth album, ‘For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women),’ which is an adventurous exploration of mythology and a poignant reflection on identity, grief, and girlhood.