Japanese Breakfast evoke the supernatural in “Jane Cum” video, land a deal with Dead Oceans

Japanese Breakfast | photo by Morgan Smith | phobymo.com | courtesy of the artist

Japanese Breakfast’s debut full-length Psychopomp quickly became one of our favorite albums of the year so far. Lending its name from Greek mythology, (a psychopomp guides souls to the place of the dead) the LP touches on issues of loss, death and healing following vocalist and guitarist Michelle Zauner’s mother’s death.

The result is something sonically special, peculiar in its honesty, with pain often disguised under layers of pop-friendly melodies. In her new music video for “Jane Cum,” Zauner walks away from the upbeat, candid night out portrayed in her “In Heaven” music video out last month.

The “Jane Cum” video is exceptionally pieced together, playing more like a short suspense film with a killer soundtrack. The dreary backdrop and forest imagery combined with the black-rimmed hats and supernatural undertones made for a Twin Peaks x American Horror Story: Coven mashup that was enthralling to watch unfold.

Directed by Adam Kolodny, who also shot the “In Heaven” video, Zauner and Kolodny collaborated on the video’s chilling concept and it brings together the best of both artists — Zauner’s haunting, lo-fi musical offering and Kolodny’s impressive camera work, especially the shot of her gazing out the window in the car, the parallel forest casting reflections over her face that are serene yet foreboding.

Japanese Breakfast is currently on tour with Mitski and Jay Som and is playing Philly tomorrow night at a 21+ show at Boot and Saddle and an all ages show at PhilaMOCA on Friday. Both shows are sold out, so if you were able to snag tickets consider yourself lucky.

In addition to the album and tour, Japanese Breakfast also landed a deal with Dead Oceans Records, as Brooklyn Vegan reports; this makes her a labelmate of Mitski as well as Strand of Oaks, Phosphorescent and more. Great things are clearly ahead of Zauner and her solo project that could.

Check out the XPN Concert Calendar for more info and watch the music video for “Jane Cum” below.