Watch Japanese Breakfast perform “Better the Mask,” her favorite song from Sable score

Today Japanese Breakfast shared a live in-studio video for “Better the Mask,” a song from frontperson Michelle Zauner’s score for Sable, an open world exploration video game. The whole score features 32 new original Japanese Breakfast songs with an airy and electronic feel that complement the game’s minimalist and colorful design. 

“I wrote ‘Better the Mask’ during lockdown,” says Zauner on Facebook. “To pass the time, I found myself turning to the piano, practicing intently for the first time in years, and putting together what would become my favorite song I’ve ever written.”

Zauner’s favorite song also features “the first string arrangement I devised solely on my own.” Quartet 121 accompanies the live version, shot at the iconic Electric Lady Studios in New York City. “Better the Mask” is beautifully tense, and gently blends together five moving parts grounded by Zauner on the piano. Watch below to see Zauner’s “favorite song” come together live.

Watch below, and read more about Zauner’s experience working on the Sable score in this interview with The Key’s Alex Smith.