# Soft Sounds from Another Planet

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 album, Soft Sounds from Another Planet also incorporates elements of electronic dance music, synth-pop, space pop, electropop, lo-fi, progressive rock, experimental pop and chamber pop. It primarily deals with themes of loss, science fiction and perseverance.
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. 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.
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. 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.

## Release and promotion
### Singles

On May 4, 2017, Japanese Breakfast released the album's lead single, "Machinist" to positive critical reviews. 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. A second single, "Boyish", was released on June 7, 2017, followed by its own video on February 13, 2018, which Zauner later described as her "magnum opus". 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.

### 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, 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.

### 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.
* "Diving Woman"
* "In Heaven"
* "The Woman That Loves You"
* "Road Head"
* "Heft"
* "The Body Is A Blade"
* "Boyish"
* "Jane Cum"
* "12 Steps"
* "This House"
* "Triple 7"
* "Till Death"
* "Everybody Wants To Love You"
* "Machinist"
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening Act(s) |
| North America |||||
| July 15, 2017 | New York City | United States | Union Pool | Yohuna |
| September 7, 2017 | Washington, D.C. | United States | Black Cat | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 8, 2017 | Richmond | United States | Stranger Matter | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 9, 2017 | Raleigh | United States | Hopscotch Music Festival | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 10, 2017 | Atlanta | United States | The Masquerade | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 11, 2017 | Orlando | United States | Will's Pub | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 12, 2017 | Tampa | United States | Crowbar | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 13, 2017 | New Orleans | United States | Hi Ho Lounge | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 14, 2017 | Houston | United States | Walter's | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 15, 2017 | Austin | United States | Barracuda | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 16, 2017 | Dallas | United States | RBC | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 18, 2017 | Phoenix | United States | Valley Bar | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 20, 2017 | Los Angeles | United States | The Echo | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 21, 2017 | San Francisco | United States | Swedish American Hall | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 22, 2017 | Oakland | United States | Starline Social Club | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 23, 2017 | Eugene | United States | HiFi | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 25, 2017 | Portland | United States | Holocene | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 26, 2017 | Vancouver | Canada | Fox Cabaret | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 27, 2017 | Seattle | United States | The Crocodile | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 28, 2017 | Boise | United States | Neurolux | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 29, 2017 | Salt Lake City | United States | Kilby Court | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| September 30, 2017 | Denver | United States | Larimer Lounge | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| October 2, 2017 | Minneapolis | United States | The Triple Rock | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| October 4, 2017 | Chicago | United States | Subterranean | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| October 5, 2017 | Bloomington | United States | The Bishop | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| October 6, 2017 | Detroit | United States | UFO Factory | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| October 7, 2017 | Toronto | Canada | The Garrison | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| October 8, 2017 | Montreal | Canada | Bar Le Ritz | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| October 11, 2017 | Cambridge | United States | The Sinclair | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| October 12, 2017 | New York City | United States | Music Hall of Williamsburg | Mannequin Pussy & The Spirit of the Beehive |
| Europe |||||
| October 21, 2017 | Bristol | England | Simple Things Festival | N/A |
| October 23, 2017 | Cologne | Germany | Blue Shell | N/A |
| October 24, 2017 | Hamburg | Germany | Hakken | N/A |
| October 25, 2017 | Berlin | Germany | Badenhouse | N/A |
| October 26, 2017 | Paris | France | Pop Up Du Label | N/A |
| October 27, 2017 | Ghent | Belgium | NEST | N/A |
| October 28, 2017 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Paradiso | N/A |
| November 2, 2017 | Brighton | England | The Joker | N/A |
| November 3, 2017 | Manchester | England | Soup Kitchen | N/A |
| November 4, 2017 | Edinburgh | Scotland | The Mash House | N/A |
| November 5, 2017 | Glasgow | Scotland | The Hug and Paint | N/A |
| November 6, 2017 | Leeds | England | Headrow House | N/A |
| November 7, 2017 | London | England | The Dome Tufnell Park | N/A |
| Asia |||||
| November 28, 2017 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | Music Zone | N/A |
| November 30, 2017 | Taipei | Taiwan | The Wall | N/A |
| December 1, 2017 | Beijing | China | Modern Sky Festival | N/A |
| December 3, 2017 | Shanghai | China | Yuyintang | N/A |
| December 4, 2017 | Bangkok | Thailand | Rockademy | N/A |
| Oceania |||||
| December 8, 2017 | Berry | Australia | Fairgrounds Festival | N/A |
| December 9, 2017 | Melbourne | Australia | The John Curtin Hotel | N/A |
| December 10, 2017 | Melbourne | Australia | Supernatural Amphitheatre | N/A |
| Asia |||||
| December 11, 2017 | Tokyo | Japan | Daikanyama Unit | N/A |
| December 12, 2017 | Osaka | Japan | Conpass | N/A |
| December 14, 2017 | Seoul | South Korea | Hanatour V-Hall | N/A |
| North America |||||
| February 15, 2018 | Seattle | United States | Neumos | Jay Som & Hand Habits |
| February 16, 2018 | Vancouver | Canada | Biltmore | Jay Som & Hand Habits |
| February 17, 2018 | Portland | United States | Crystal Ballroom | Jay Som & Hand Habits |
| February 19, 2018 | Reno | United States | The Holland Project | Jay Som & Hand Habits |
| February 21, 2018 | San Jose | United States | The Ritz | Jay Som & Hand Habits |
| February 22, 2018 | San Francisco | United States | Gray Theater | Jay Som & Hand Habits |
| February 23, 2018 | Fresno | United States | Strummer's | Jay Som & Hand Habits |
| February 24, 2018 | Pomona | United States | The Glass House | Jay Som & Hand Habits |
| April 2, 2018 | Baltimore | United States | The Ottobar | N/A |
| April 3, 2018 | Durham | United States | Motorco Music Hall | N/A |
| April 4, 2018 | Athens | United States | 40 Watt Club | Snail Mail |
| April 5, 2018 | Birmingham | United States | Saturn | Snail Mail |
| April 6, 2018 | Orlando | United States | Will's Pub | Snail Mail |
| April 7, 2018 | Tampa | United States | Crowbar | Snail Mail |
| April 9, 2018 | Houston | United States | Walter's | N/A |
| April 10, 2018 | Austin | United States | The Scoot Inn | Snail Mail |
| April 11, 2018 | San Antonio | United States | Paper Tiger | Snail Mail |
| April 13, 2018 | Tucson | United States | 191 Toole | Snail Mail |
| April 15, 2018 | Indio | United States | Empire Polo Club | N/A |
| April 18, 2018 | San Luis Obispo | United States | SLO Brew | Snail Mail |
| April 22, 2018 | Indio | United States | Empire Polo Club | N/A |
| April 23, 2018 | Flagstaff | United States | The Green Room | Snail Mail |
| April 24, 2018 | Santa Fe | United States | Meow Wolf | Snail Mail |
| April 26, 2018 | Norman | United States | Norman Music Festival | N/A |
| April 27, 2018 | Little Rock | United States | Stickyz | Snail Mail |
| April 28, 2018 | Nashville | United States | Exit/In | Snail Mail |
| April 29, 2018 | Columbus | United States | Ace of Cups | N/A |
| May 30, 2018 | Washington D.C. | United States | 9:30 Club | LVL UP, Radiator Hospital |
| May 31, 2018 | New York City | United States | Warsaw | Radiator Hospital |
| June 2, 2018 | Cambridge | United States | The Sinclair | LVL UP, Radiator Hospital |
| June 3, 2018 | Philadelphia | United States | Union Transfer | LVL UP, Radiator Hospital |
| June 6, 2018 | Richmond | United States | The Broadberry | N/A |
| June 7, 2018 | Manchester | United States | Great Stage Park | N/A |
| June 8, 2018 | Manchester | United States | Great Stage Park | N/A |
| June 9, 2018 | Manchester | United States | Great Stage Park | N/A |
| June 9, 2018 | Charlotte | United States | Neighborhood Theatre | N/A |
| June 10, 2018 | Manchester | United States | Great Stage Park | N/A |
| June 14, 2018 | Pittsburgh | United States | Spirit | Half Waif |
| June 15, 2018 | Cincinnati | United States | Taft Theatre | Half Waif |
| June 16, 2018 | St. Louis | United States | The Ready Room | Half Waif |
| June 17, 2018 | Kansas City | United States | The Record Bar | Half Waif |
| June 21, 2018 | Las Vegas | United States | The Bunkhouse | N/A |
| June 23, 2018 | Pomona | United States | The Glass House | N/A |
| June 26, 2018 | Oakland | United States | Fox Oakland Theatre | N/A |
| July 12, 2018 | Dennis | United States | Cape Cinema | N/A |
| July 13, 2018 | Burlington | United States | ArtsRiot | N/A |
| July 14, 2018 | Portsmouth | United States | 3S ArtSpace | N/A |
| July 15, 2018 | Kingston | United States | BSP Kingston | N/A |
| July 16, 2018 | Rochester | United States | The Bug Jar | Mothers |
| July 18, 2018 | Toronto | Canada | The Phoenix | Mothers |
| July 19, 2018 | Grand Rapids | United States | The Pyramid Scheme | Mothers |
| July 20, 2018 | Milwaukee | United States | Turner Hall | Mothers |
| July 22, 2018 | Chicago | United States | Union Park | N/A |
| July 24, 2018 | Cleveland | United States | The Beachland Ballroom | Mothers |
| July 28, 2018 | New York City | United States | Randalls Island | N/A |
| August 11, 2018 | Waynesville | United States | Renaissance Park | N/A |
| September 12, 2018 | Columbus | United States | Skully's | Ought |
| September 13, 2018 | Bloomington | United States | The Bishop | Ought |
| September 14, 2018 | DeKalb | United States | The House Cafe | Ought |
| September 16, 2018 | Madison | United States | Majestic Theatre | Ought |
| September 18, 2018 | Minneapolis | United States | Fine Line | Ought |
| September 19, 2018 | Iowa City | United States | The Mill | Ought |
| September 20, 2018 | Lincoln | United States | Lincoln Calling | N/A |
| September 21, 2018 | Lincoln | United States | Lincoln Calling | N/A |
| September 22, 2018 | Lincoln | United States | Lincoln Calling | N/A |
| September 23, 2018 | Boise | United States | Neurolux | Ought |
| September 25, 2018 | Seattle | United States | Neptune Theatre | Ought |
| October 2, 2018 | Los Angeles | United States | The Fonda Theatre | Ought |
| October 3, 2018 | Mesa | United States | The Nile | Ought |
| October 5, 2018 | Austin | United States | Zilker Park | N/A |
| October 6, 2018 | Austin | United States | Zilker Park | N/A |
| October 7, 2018 | Austin | United States | Zilker Park | N/A |
| October 12, 2018 | Austin | United States | Zilker Park | N/A |
| October 13, 2018 | Austin | United States | Zilker Park | N/A |
| October 14, 2018 | Austin | United States | Zilker Park | N/A |
| March 14, 2019 | Austin | United States | Austin Convention Center | N/A |
| May 4, 2019 | Atlanta | United States | Central Park | N/A |
| May 10, 2019 | Arcosanti | United States | FORM | N/A |
| May 11, 2019 | Arcosanti | United States | FORM | N/A |
| May 12, 2019 | Arcosanti | United States | FORM | N/A |
| Asia |||||
| May 13, 2019 | Singapore | Singapore | Esplanade Annexe Studio | Sobs |
| May 15, 2019 | Jakarta | Indonesia | Rossi Musik | N/A |
| May 16, 2019 | Bangkok | Thailand | Rockademy | N/A |
| May 18, 2019 | Manila | Philippines | Circuit Makati | N/A |
| May 22, 2019 | Tokyo | Japan | WWW X | N/A |
| May 24, 2019 | Taipei | Taiwan | The Wall | N/A |
| May 27, 2019 | Seoul | South Korea | MUV-Hall | N/A |
| North America |||||
| June 19, 2019 | Calgary | Canada | Royal Canadian Legion | N/A |
| June 23, 2019 | San Francisco | United States | Bill Graham Civic Auditorium | N/A |
| June 24, 2019 | New York City | United States | Rumsey Playfield | Hatchie |
| July 26, 2019 | Camden | United States | BB&T Pavilion | N/A |
| August 2, 2019 | Chicago | United States | Grant Park | N/A |
| August 2, 2019 | Chicago | United States | Lincoln Hall | N/A |
| August 23, 2019 | Portland | United States | Crystal Ballroom | N/A |
| August 24, 2019 | Port Townsend | United States | Fort Worden | N/A |
| August 25, 2019 | Port Townsend | United States | Fort Worden | N/A |
| October 24, 2019 | Halifax | Canada | Marquee Ballroom | N/A |
| October 25, 2019 | New Orleans | United States | City Park | N/A |
| October 26, 2019 | New Orleans | United States | City Park | N/A |
| October 27, 2019 | New Orleans | United States | City Park | N/A |
| November 22, 2019 | San Diego | United States | Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival | N/A |
| November 23, 2019 | San Diego | United States | Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival | N/A |
| November 24, 2019 | San Diego | United States | Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival | N/A |

## Critical reception

Professional ratings :
| Aggregate scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AnyDecentMusic? | 7.8/10 |
| Metacritic | 83/100 |
| Review scores ||
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| The A.V. Club | A− |
| Consequence of Sound | B+ |
| Drowned in Sound | 8/10 |
| Exclaim! | 7/10 |
| The Guardian | |
| Pitchfork | 8.0/10 |
| PopMatters | 8/10 |
| Q | |
| Uncut | 8/10 |
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.
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. 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". 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.)"
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." 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.
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." 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."

### Accolades

| Publication | Accolade | Rank |
| Under the Radar | The 100 Best Albums of 2017 | 10 |
| Uproxx | The 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 15 |
| Stereogum | The 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 17 |
| Paste | The 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 37 |
| Rolling Stone | The 50 Best Albums of 2017 | 39 |

## Track listing

All tracks are written by Michelle Zauner

## Personnel

Adapted from AllMusic.
* David Bartler – saxophone
* Asher Brooks – trumpet
* Jorge Elbrecht – mixing
* David Hartley – engineer
* Craig Hendrix – engineer, producer
* Michael Johnson – engineer
* Heba Kadry – mastering
* Craig Scheihing – photography
* Todd Schied – engineer
* Nathaniel David Utesch – design
* Michelle Zauner – vocals, guitars, producer

## Charts

| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
| New Zealand Heatseekers Albums (RMNZ) | 9 |
| US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard) | 9 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) | 18 |