Soft Sounds from Another Planet explained

Soft Sounds from Another Planet
Type:Studio
Artist:Japanese Breakfast
Cover:Soft Sounds from Another Planet.png
Released:July 14, 2017
Recorded:2016
Studio:Japanese Breakfast's studio (Philadelphia)
Genre:
Length:37:10
Label:Dead Oceans
Prev Title:Psychopomp
Prev Year:2016
Next Title:Jubilee
Next Year:2021

Soft Sounds from Another Planet is the second studio album by American indie pop band Japanese Breakfast. The album was released by Dead Oceans on July 14, 2017.

Primarily described as an indie rock and shoegaze[1] album, Soft Sounds from Another Planet also incorporates elements of electronic dance music, synth-pop, space pop, electropop,[2] lo-fi, progressive rock, experimental pop[3] and chamber pop.[4] It primarily deals with themes of loss,[5] science fiction[6] and perseverance.[7]

The album received critical acclaim from critics who commended it for its eclectic and experimental production and exploration of grief and love although some believed it to be uneven. The album became Japanese Breakfast's first to chart, reaching the top 20 of the Billboard Heatseekers and Independent charts in the US and the New Zealand Heatseekers Albums chart.

Background

In 2014, Michelle Zauner left the Philadelphia-based emo band Little Big League to care for her terminally ill mother in her hometown of Eugene, Oregon. Songs she wrote to cope with her grief about her mother's death became part of Psychopomp (2016), Japanese Breakfast's debut studio album. Psychopomp received unexpected critical and commercial success, rejuvenating Zauner's efforts to make music a career and leading her to sign with Dead Oceans.[8] However, she found herself "reliving traumatic memories" when giving interviews about the album. Zauner said she began writing Soft Sounds from Another Planet to help leave her trauma behind.[9]

Zauner envisioned it as a concept album, a "sci fi musical" that would tackle different themes than its predecessor. The first song she wrote for the new album was "Machinist." She found that she disliked the songs she was creating at the time.[10] Zauner also hoped to create a "hi fi" album in contrast to Psychopomp's lo-fi palette that also maintained its predecessor's experimental and playful nature. She attributed the latter to having recently signed to Dead Oceans and consequently feeling pressured due to the budget and deadlines the label assigned her. To produce the album, Zauner contacted Craig Hendrix and the two recorded the album over a month long period in their Philadelphia studio.[11]

Release and promotion

Singles

On May 4, 2017, Japanese Breakfast released the album's lead single, "Machinist" to positive critical reviews.[12] [13] It debuted alongside a music video depicting a woman who dismantles her spaceship when she tries to build a body for her robot lover. The video was directed by Zauner and Adam Kolodny.[14] A second single, "Boyish", was released on June 7, 2017,[15] followed by its own video on February 13, 2018, which Zauner later described as her "magnum opus".[16] [17] A third and final single, "Road Head", was released on July 6, 2017, alongside another music video directed by Zauner, who drew inspiration from Hong Kong film director Wong Kar-wai's film Fallen Angels and television series Twin Peaks.[18]

Video game

To promote the album, Japanese Breakfast released a video game, "Japanese BreakQuest". Players guide "J-Brekkie", a character named for the band's Twitter handle,[19] to gather a band and fight an alien invasion. It was developed by Zauner and video game developer Elaine Fath and features songs from the album as 8-bit MIDI tracks by Peter Bradley.[20]

Tour

Japanese Breakfast toured in support of the album from July 15, 2017, until November 24, 2019. Supporting acts during the tour included American singers Yohuna, Jay Som, and Half Waif; and American bands Mannequin Pussy, The Spirit of the Beehive, LVL UP, Radiator Hospital, Mothers, and Ought.[21] [22] [23]

Concert Tour Name:Soft Sounds from Another Planet Tour
Artist:Japanese Breakfast
Album:Soft Sounds from Another Planet
Start Date:July 15, 2017
End Date:November 24, 2019
Support Acts:Yohuna, Mannequin Pussy, The Spirit of the Beehive, Half Waif, Mothers, Ought
Number Of Shows:156
Last Tour:Porches and Japanese Breakfast Tour
(2016)
Next Tour:Jubilee Tour
(2021–23)
This Tour:Soft Sounds from Another Planet Tour
(2017–19)
Number Of Legs:2
!Date!City!Country!Venue!Opening Act(s)
North America
July 15, 2017New York CityUnited StatesUnion PoolYohuna
September 7, 2017Washington, D.C.Black CatMannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive
September 8, 2017RichmondStranger Matter
September 9, 2017RaleighHopscotch Music Festival
September 10, 2017AtlantaThe Masquerade
September 11, 2017OrlandoWill's Pub
September 12, 2017TampaCrowbar
September 13, 2017New OrleansHi Ho Lounge
September 14, 2017HoustonWalter's
September 15, 2017AustinBarracuda
September 16, 2017DallasRBC
September 18, 2017PhoenixValley Bar
September 20, 2017Los AngelesThe Echo
September 21, 2017San FranciscoSwedish American Hall
September 22, 2017OaklandStarline Social Club
September 23, 2017EugeneHiFi
September 25, 2017PortlandHolocene
September 26, 2017VancouverCanadaFox Cabaret
September 27, 2017SeattleUnited StatesThe Crocodile
September 28, 2017BoiseNeurolux
September 29, 2017Salt Lake CityKilby Court
September 30, 2017DenverLarimer Lounge
October 2, 2017MinneapolisThe Triple Rock
October 4, 2017ChicagoSubterranean
October 5, 2017BloomingtonThe Bishop
October 6, 2017DetroitUFO Factory
October 7, 2017TorontoCanadaThe Garisson
October 8, 2017MontrealBar Le Ritz
October 11, 2017CambridgeUnited StatesThe Sinclair
October 12, 2017New York CityMusic Hall of Williamsburg
Europe
October 21, 2017BristolEnglandSimple Things FestivalN/A
October 23, 2017CologneGermanyBlue Shell
October 24, 2017HamburgHakken
October 25, 2017BerlinBadenhouse
October 26, 2017ParisFrancePop Up Du Label
October 27, 2017GhentBelgiumNEST
October 28, 2017AmsterdamNetherlandsParadiso
November 2, 2017BrightonEnglandThe Joker
November 3, 2017ManchesterSoup Kitchen
November 4, 2017EdinburghScotlandThe Mash House
November 5, 2017GlasgowThe Hug and Paint
November 6, 2017LeedsEnglandHeadrow House
November 7, 2017LondonThe Dome Tufnell Park
Asia[24]
November 28, 2017Hong KongMusic ZoneN/A
November 30, 2017TaipeiTaiwanThe Wall
December 1, 2017BeijingChinaModern Sky Festival
December 3, 2017ShanghaiYuyintang
December 4, 2017BangkokThailandRockademy
Oceania
December 8, 2017BerryAustraliaFairgrounds FestivalN/A
December 9, 2017MelbourneThe John Curtin Hotel
December 10, 2017Supernatural Amphitheatre
Asia
December 11, 2017TokyoJapanDaikanyama UnitN/A
December 12, 2017OsakaConpass
December 14, 2017SeoulSouth KoreaHanatour V-Hall
North America[25] [26]
February 15, 2018SeattleUnited StatesNeumosJay Som & Hand Habits
February 16, 2018VancouverCanadaBiltmore
February 17, 2018PortlandUnited StatesCrystal Ballroom
February 19, 2018RenoThe Holland Project
February 21, 2018San JoseThe Ritz
February 22, 2018San FranciscoGray Theater
February 23, 2018FresnoStrummer's
February 24, 2018PomonaThe Glass House
April 2, 2018BaltimoreThe OttobarN/A
April 3, 2018DurhamMotorco Music Hall
April 4, 2018Athens40 Watt ClubSnail Mail
April 5, 2018BirminghamSaturn
April 6, 2018OrlandoWill's Pub
April 7, 2018TampaCrowbar
April 9, 2018HoustonWalter'sN/A
April 10, 2018AustinThe Scoot InnSnail Mail
April 11, 2018San AntonioPaper Tiger
April 13, 2018Tucson191 Toole
April 15, 2018IndioEmpire Polo ClubN/A
April 18, 2018San Luis ObispoSLO BrewSnail Mail
April 22, 2018IndioEmpire Polo ClubN/A
April 23, 2018FlagstaffThe Green RoomSnail Mail
April 24, 2018Santa FeMeow Wolf
April 26, 2018NormanNorman Music FestivalN/A
April 27, 2018Little RockStickyzSnail Mail
April 28, 2018NashvilleExit/In
April 29, 2018ColumbusAce of CupsN/A
May 30, 2018Washington D.C.LVL UP, Radiator Hospital
May 31, 2018New York CityWarsawRadiator Hospital
June 2, 2018CambridgeThe SinclairLVL UP, Radiator Hospital
June 3, 2018PhiladelphiaUnion Transfer
June 6, 2018RichmondThe BroadberryN/A
June 7, 2018ManchesterGreat Stage Park
June 8, 2018
June 9, 2018
CharlotteNeighborhood Theatre
June 10, 2018ManchesterGreat Stage Park
June 14, 2018PittsburghSpiritHalf Waif
June 15, 2018CincinnatiTaft Theatre
June 16, 2018St. LouisThe Ready Room
June 17, 2018Kansas CityThe Record Bar
June 21, 2018Las VegasThe BunkhouseN/A
June 23, 2018PomonaThe Glass House
June 26, 2018OaklandFox Oakland Theatre
July 12, 2018DennisCape Cinema
July 13, 2018BurlingtonArtsRiot
July 14, 2018Portsmouth3S ArtSpace
July 15, 2018KingstonBSP Kingston
July 16, 2018RochesterThe Bug JarMothers
July 18, 2018TorontoCanadaThe Phoenix
July 19, 2018Grand RapidsUnited StatesThe Pyramid Scheme
July 20, 2018MilwaukeeTurner Hall
July 22, 2018ChicagoUnion ParkN/A
July 24, 2018ClevelandThe Beachland BallroomMothers
July 28, 2018New York CityRandalls IslandN/A
August 11, 2018WaynesvilleRenaissance Park
September 12, 2018ColumbusSkully'sOught
September 13, 2018BloomingtonThe Bishop
September 14, 2018DeKalbThe House Cafe
September 16, 2018MadisonMajestic Theatre
September 18, 2018MinneapolisFine Line
September 19, 2018Iowa CityThe Mill
September 20, 2018LincolnLincoln CallingN/A
September 21, 2018
September 22, 2018
September 23, 2018BoiseNeuroluxOught
September 25, 2018SeattleNeptune Theatre
October 2, 2018Los AngelesThe Fonda Theatre
October 3, 2018MesaThe Nile
October 5, 2018AustinZilker ParkN/A
October 6, 2018
October 7, 2018
October 12, 2018
October 13, 2018
October 14, 2018
March 14, 2019Austin Convention Center
May 4, 2019AtlantaCentral Park
May 10, 2019ArcosantiFORM
May 11, 2019
May 12, 2019
Asia[27]
May 13, 2019SingaporeEsplanade Annexe StudioSobs
May 15, 2019JakartaIndonesiaRossi MusikN/A
May 16, 2019BangkokThailandRockademy
May 18, 2019ManilaPhilippinesCircuit Makati
May 22, 2019TokyoJapanWWW X
May 24, 2019TaipeiTaiwanThe Wall
May 27, 2019SeoulSouth KoreaMUV-Hall
North America[28]
June 19, 2019CalgaryCanadaRoyal Canadian LegionN/A
June 23, 2019San FranciscoUnited StatesBill Graham Civic Auditorium
June 24, 2019New York CityRumsey PlayfieldHatchie
July 26, 2019CamdenBB&T PavilionN/A
August 2, 2019ChicagoGrant Park
Lincoln Hall
August 23, 2019PortlandCrystal Ballroom
August 24, 2019Port TownsendFort Worden
August 25, 2019
October 24, 2019HalifaxCanadaMarquee Ballroom
October 25, 2019New OrleansUnited StatesCity Park
October 26, 2019
October 27, 2019
November 22, 2019San DiegoWonderfront Music & Arts Festival
November 23, 2019
November 24, 2019

Critical reception

Soft Sounds from Another Planet received widespread acclaim from music critics who praised its experimental production, eclectic range of genres and subject matter of grief and love. It received a weighted score of 83 out of 100 from review aggregate website Metacritic, indicating "universal acclaim", based on 20 reviews from music critics.[29]

Reviewers lauded Zauner's vocals and the album's expanded sonic palette in comparison to Psychopomp. Nathan Reese of Pitchfork deemed the album's lead single, "Machinist" the band's "biggest leap forward in terms of sound" and favorably compared Zauner's vocals to shoegaze band Slowdive.[30] No Ripcord's Juan Edgardo Rodriguez also complimented the eclectic range of genres on the album and opined Zauner to be "at her best when she builds upon her aching vocal delivery."[31] Tim Sendra of AllMusic considered the album an improvement over Psychopomp and praised the songs', "spacious, expansive sound that envelops the listener in warmth (even when the synths get a little chilly.)"[32]

Under the Radar's Stephen Mayne praised the album's nuanced perspective on romance and suggested that audiences "looking for something more beautiful need look no farther than what Zauner is already offering."[33] The Quietus' Veronica Irwin praised the album for retaining the "heartfelt intensity" of its predecessor and Japanese Breakfast's relatable lyrics while expressing surprise at the record's sonic experimentation.[34]

Some reviewers meanwhile criticized the album's perceived unevenness. Brian Shultz of The A.V. Club said, "And while everything on Japanese Breakfast's proper sophomore effort isn't entirely fresh, and its structure is somewhat loose, there's a confidence and crispness to Soft Sounds that shows just how fully realized Zauner's formerly homemade experiments have become."[35] Exclaim!s Ian Gormely noted the album's lack of focus but wrote, "In trying to put a wall between herself and her audience, she's opened a new, far more revealing side to her music and herself."[36]

Accolades

PublicationAccoladeRank
Under the RadarThe 100 Best Albums of 2017
UproxxThe 50 Best Albums of 2017
StereogumThe 50 Best Albums of 2017
PasteThe 50 Best Albums of 2017
Rolling StoneThe 50 Best Albums of 2017

Personnel

Adapted from AllMusic.[37]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Simpson . Dave . 2017-07-13 . Japanese Breakfast: Soft Sounds from Another Planet review – dreamlike and existential . 2023-01-31 . The Guardian . en.
  2. Web site: Reily . Emily . 2017-07-18 . Japanese Breakfast: Soft Sounds From Another Planet Review . 2023-01-31 . Paste . en.
  3. Web site: Mayne . Stephen . 2017-07-13 . Soft Sounds From Another Planet . 2023-01-31 . Under The Radar . en.
  4. Web site: Savage . Rowan . Music Review: Japanese Breakfast - Soft Sounds From Another Planet . 2023-01-31 . Tiny Mix Tapes . en.
  5. Web site: Simpson . Dave . 2017-07-13 . Japanese Breakfast: Soft Sounds from Another Planet review – dreamlike and existential . 2022-07-21 . The Guardian . en.
  6. News: Boilen . Bob . 2017-07-14 . Japanese Breakfast Explains 'Soft Sounds From Another Planet,' Track By Track . en . NPR . 2022-07-21.
  7. Web site: Thompson . Erik . July 13, 2017 . Japanese Breakfast serve up celestial solace . 2022-07-21 . The Line of Best Fit . en.
  8. Web site: Rhoades . Lindsey . 2016-07-26 . Great Big Feeling: Japanese Breakfast's Quiet Intensity . 2022-08-19 . Brooklyn Magazine.
  9. Web site: Soft Sounds From Another Planet . 2022-08-19 . Dead Oceans.
  10. Web site: Rettig . James . 2017-06-01 . Q&A: Japanese Breakfast On Enduring Trauma, Reusing Old Songs, & Her New "Failed Concept Album" . 2023-01-01 . Stereogum . en.
  11. Web site: Hertweck . Nate . 2018-10-25 . Japanese Breakfast On The Pressure & Playfulness Behind 'Soft Sounds…' . 2023-07-16 . www.grammy.com.
  12. Web site: Berman . Judy . 2017-04-05 . Japanese Breakfast: "Machinist" Track Review . 2022-08-11 . Pitchfork. .
  13. Web site: Gotrich . Lars . 2017-05-04 . Japanese Breakfast's 'Machinist' Is A Melancholy Story Of Sci-Fi Love: All Songs Considered: NPR . 2022-08-11 . NPR.
  14. Web site: Rettig . James . 2017-05-04 . Japanese Breakfast – "Machinist" Video . 2022-08-13 . Stereogum . en.
  15. Web site: Moreland . Quinn . 2017-06-08 . Japanese Breakfast: "Boyish" . 2022-08-13 . Pitchfork. . en-US.
  16. Web site: Rettig . James . 2018-02-13 . Japanese Breakfast – "Boyish" Video . 2022-08-13 . Stereogum . en.
  17. Web site: Fine . Gabe . 2019-03-21 . Japanese Breakfast Takes the Director's Seat . 2022-08-13 . SPIN . en-US.
  18. Web site: Rettig . James . 2017-07-06 . Japanese Breakfast – "Road Head" Video . 2022-08-13 . Stereogum . en.
  19. Web site: Frank . Allegra . 2017-09-14 . Japanese Breakfast's free, online RPG was a long time coming . 2022-08-18 . Polygon . en-US.
  20. Web site: Gaca . Anna . September 14, 2017 . Play Japanese Breakfast's New Browser Game, Japanese BreakQuest . June 7, 2021.
  21. Web site: Blais-Billie . Braudie . 2017-07-06 . Japanese Breakfast Announces Tour, Shares New Video: Watch . 2023-04-06 . Pitchfork . . en-US.
  22. Web site: 2018-06-07 . Announcing "Juan's Basement" With Japanese Breakfast . 2023-04-07 . Pitchfork . . en-US.
  23. Web site: 2018-01-26 . Japanese Breakfast expands 2018 tour to include dates with Belle & Sebastian . 2023-04-07 . The Partae . en-US.
  24. Web site: Singh . Surej . 2017-09-20 . Japanese Breakfast announces Asian tour . 2023-04-13 . Bandwagon . en.
  25. Web site: 2018-06-07 . Announcing "Juan's Basement" With Japanese Breakfast . 2023-04-15 . Pitchfork . . en-US.
  26. Web site: Sacher . Andrew . Stream Japanese Breakfast's new song "Essentially" . 2023-04-20 . BrooklynVegan . April 26, 2019 . en.
  27. Web site: Singh . Surej . 2019-02-08 . Japanese Breakfast announces Asia tour – Singapore, Manila and more confirmed . 2023-04-13 . Bandwagon . en.
  28. Web site: 2019-06-25 . Japanese Breakfast played Central Park w/ Hatchie, who added a new NYC show (pics) . 2023-04-15 . BrooklynVegan . en.
  29. Web site: Reviews and Tracks for Soft Sounds From Another Planet by Japanese Breakfast . . CBS Interactive.
  30. Web site: Reese . Nathan . 2017-07-14 . Japanese Breakfast: Soft Sounds From Another Planet . 2022-08-11 . Pitchfork . en-US.
  31. Web site: Quick Takes (July 2017) . 2023-08-07 . No Ripcord . en.
  32. Sendra, Tim.
  33. Web site: Mayne . Stephen . 2017-07-13 . Soft Sounds From Another Planet . 2023-08-07 . Under the Radar . en.
  34. Web site: Irwin . Veronica . 2017-07-13 . Japanese Breakfast Soft Sounds From Another Planet . 2023-08-07 . The Quietus . en-us.
  35. Web site: Shultz . Brian . 2017-07-14 . Japanese Breakfast, The Dears, Sheer Mag, and more in this week's music reviews . 2022-08-11 . . en-us.
  36. Web site: Gormely . Ian . 2017-07-14 . Japanese Breakfast Soft Sounds from Another Planet Exclaim! . 2022-08-11 . . en-ca.
  37. Web site: Soft Sounds from Another Planet – Japanese Breakfast (Credits). AllMusic. July 18, 2017.
  38. Web site: NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart. Recorded Music NZ. July 24, 2017. July 21, 2017.

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