Overall, Zauner sounds like she’s in a better place than on Psychopomp, despite the occasional shadowy fear lurking beneath its shiny surface. 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.
The brilliance Zauner hinted at on Psychopomp has been fully realized on Soft Sounds. This revealing and heartwarming record finds Zauner mastering her craft through the therapeutic experience of making music.
Soft Sounds From Another Planet initially sounds far more celestially concerned, fixated on Important Questions of cosmic purpose, but these are ideas sown and fixed in Psychopomp’s introspection. Over repeated listens, the former evolves into a touching meditation on love’s complexity and erraticism, where introspection intercedes the Big Important Questions.
Soft Sounds… isn’t quite as playfully subversive as Zauner’s big-rig guitar solo on “Everybody Wants to Love You”, but her work as Japanese Breakfast continues to draw its energy from transgressing both the expectations of herself and her audience.
Zauner’s sophomore LP not only showcases her skill in experimentation (using harpsichord and Auto-Tune), but her myriad influences, at times recalling the best of Spiritualized’s magnificent Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space.
With Soft Sound From Another Planet, Michelle Zauner has moved beyond mourning to a solace far more celestial, communicating her grief through these poignant musical prayers aimed directly at the heavens and beyond.
With some absolutely surprising moments and a mature feeling to the record, Soft Sounds from Another Planet is Zauner finding a whole new voice for herself.
Zauner adds peppier number like "Machinist" and "Road Head" without ever sounding like she's spread too thin.
The strained clarity of Zauner’s voice is what makes this album so beautiful, particularly during the contemplative balladry of This House. Moving and inspired, Soft Sounds From Another Planet is yet another lesson in guitar pop perfection.
While Psychopomp focused on the most intimate human experiences, her new album, Soft Sounds From Another Planet, uses big guitars and melancholic arrangements to address life on Earth, but it calls upon the cosmos for its perspective.
Soft Sounds is ambitious not only because it throws so much in, but because it aims to push a coherent whole out the other end. It's experimental pop that wants to experiment while still sounding like pop, and it really works.
She’s retained the dreamy ambiance of that album and translated it with sweet, shimmering soundscapes on her latest, Soft Sounds from Another Planet.
Soft Sounds from Another Planet is a giant leap forward for Japanese Breakfast; the move to a bigger sound results in a sure-handed modern pop record full of memorable songs, heart-wrenching vocals, and bottomless emotional depth.
Michelle Zauner conjures the macro in the micro. Her richly observed songs convey intimate details and observations that conjure the immensity of concepts like love, sex, and desire.
In its 12 tracks, Soft Sounds From Another Planet is a reflection of grief, which depicts its enduring nature and many manifestations. The album harks to not just a personal past, but also towards a future that encompasses all the fear and excitement of discovering a new planet.
Zauner puts down her guitar several times throughout the album and embraces the life of a replicant. At other times, it unfortunately feels even more like a copy of a copy.
There are plenty of loveable moments, sure, but they tend to congeal like sand passing through your fingers.
Ultimately, Soft Sounds is an uneven experience, stylistically and in terms of (this listener’s) engagement. But still, in the shimmering hooky synthpop of “Machinist,” the Morrissey-esque lilt of “Boyish,” there are bright stars hanging in the firmament.
For a long time now i’ve been hearing great things about Japanese Breakfast. While their newest record “Jubilee” couldn’t really pull me in (i still plan on giving it a couple of listens), this one did it immediately. It starts off with a phenomenal song titled “Diving Woman”. Which has these energetic guitar riffs that compliment Zauner’s sleepy voice perfectly. This project really speaks to me sonically, it’s the dreamy, often-jazzy vibe that I ... read more
These really are soft sounds. "Soft Sounds From Another Planet" is a kind of metamorphosis album for Japanese Breakfast. She went full rock for this one, and I say it pays off 90% of the time. It really works with the sound she established on her previous release. What this record does right is the experience it makes. It's like a warm hug the whole way through, you always feel at ease with these soft sounding songs. This hits all the checkmarks for a dream pop/ indie rock record, ... read more
Breakfast yuhhh
Dreamy indie!! Of course I like it. Indie rock is one of the genres that connects with me the most for some reason. It may be because I grew up hearing it a good bit but still, the vibe here is very strong. Great ideas and I absolutely love her voice. Diving Woman is easily my favorite track tbh, the atmosphere is so hypnotic. As soon as it started I just knew I was in for some good shit. The main guitar line is so nice too. Road Head and the last few tracks are also great ... read more
I LOVE INDIE ROCK! The best songs on here are Boyish and SSFAP the worst is Jimmy Fallon BIG!
1 | Diving Woman 6:32 | 88 |
2 | Road Head 3:15 | 87 |
3 | Machinist 3:37 | 81 |
4 | Planetary Ambience 1:17 | 77 |
5 | Soft Sounds from Another Planet 3:20 | 87 |
6 | Boyish 3:33 | 90 |
7 | 12 Steps 2:36 | 79 |
8 | Jimmy Fallon Big! 2:35 | 77 |
9 | The Body Is a Blade 3:40 | 88 |
10 | Till Death 2:57 | 86 |
11 | This House 3:02 | 84 |
12 | Here Come the Tubular Bells 0:40 | 77 |
#2 | / | God Is In The TV |
#8 | / | Philadelphia Inquirer |
#10 | / | Under the Radar |
#11 | / | Esquire (US) |
#15 | / | Uproxx |
#17 | / | Earbuddy |
#17 | / | Stereogum |
#18 | / | Pretty Much Amazing |
#20 | / | Vinyl Me, Please |
#22 | / | Pigeons & Planes |