Japanese Breakfast is an alternative-pop band led by Korean-American musician Michelle Zauner.
“Be Sweet” was released in 2021 and this song is a little different on my level of obsession compared to “Remember When” and “Amoeba.”
I am obsessed with Michelle’s voice and although the instrumentals are catchy as well, it’s her vocals that keep me coming back.
The track has an 80’s synth-pop vibe to it and is very different from other Japanese Breakfast tracks. The guitar riffs, drums, and Michelle’s vocals create a dynamic track that is very upbeat and energetic.
It’s a song about forgiveness and optimism. A track that blossomed from Michelle’s desire to write a positive and bright track that is stark in contrast to her past music which deals more with grief and mourning.
I think that’s why this song is so refreshing and lingers in your mind. It’s the culmination of personal growth and artistic growth that adds a spark.
Especially the verse “So come and get your woman (come and get your woman) | Pacify her rage (pacify her rage) | Take the time to undo your lies.”
Make it up once more with feeling | Recognize your mistakes and I’ll let you back in | Realize not too late, love you always”
It’s almost like she’s talking to herself in a way, telling herself to keep her rage towards everything in control and that it’s not too late to start looking at the world in a different light.
The chorus is what hooked me the first time when I heard the song. “Be sweet to me, baby | I wanna believe in you, I wanna believe (be sweet) Be sweet to me, baby | I wanna believe in you, I wanna believe in something”
She hits those high notes while maintaining a powerful voice.
The music video of the song matches the alternative Kate Bush-inspired vibes behind the track. It’s straight out of an X-Files episode with J. Brekkie in the middle of a corn field looking for aliens.
