Michelle Zauner, the lead singer of Japanese Breakfast, has found a sense of liberation with her fourth album, For Melancholy Brunettes (and Sad Women). Released in December 2023, the album marks a departure from her critically acclaimed third studio album Jubilee and memoir Crying in H Mart.
Zauner’s new album is characterized by its melancholic and dissonant soundscapes, which she deliberately sought to create after feeling suffocated by pressure to achieve success. “The moment that you put on this pressure to achieve something in your career or to gain more fans, it’s the moment that your art dies,” she notes.
With the help of veteran producer Blake Mills, Zauner wrote most of the album on guitar, exploring themes of love, loss, and mortality. The album features collaborations with artists like Jeff Bridges and PJ Harvey, showcasing Zauner’s versatility as a songwriter.
Zauner has also been working on her next book, which will detail her experiences living in Korea for an entire year and learning the language. The project is deeply personal to her, having been marked by feelings of sadness and longing during her time abroad.
As Zauner prepares to bring For Melancholy Brunettes (and Sad Women) to life, she emphasizes the importance of staying present in the moment. With a new album and book on the horizon, Zauner seems poised to continue pushing boundaries as an artist and writer.
Source: https://people.com/how-japanese-breakfast-got-jeff-bridges-on-new-album-exclusive-11697286