Japanese Breakfast‘s “Be Sweet” is a sparkling indie-pop anthem that blends ’80s synth-pop nostalgia with modern elements, creating a sound both retro and refreshingly new. Released as the lead single of their 2021 album Jubilee, the track stands out for its infectious energy and frontwoman Michelle Zauner’s charismatic vocal delivery.
When “Be Sweet” first came out, it marked a shift for Japanese Breakfast. While the up-beat tempo of the song wasn’t necessarily new, it was Zauner’s refreshed perspective that made the song stand out. Japanese Breakfast’s first two albums, Psychopomp and Soft Sounds From Another Planet, dealt with themes of death and grief after Zauner lost her mother in 2014. “After spending the last five years writing about grief, I wanted our follow up to be about joy,” Zauner shared in the track’s press release, “For me, a third record should feel bombastic and so I wanted to pull out all the stops for this one.” This sentiment is reflected not only in the album’s title, Jubilee, but in its cover as well, featuring Zauner in a pastel yellow dress, surrounded by strung-up golden persimmons.
In addition to being one hell of an earworm, “Be Sweet” is deceptively complex. The opening lyrics, “Tell the men I’m coming / Tell them count the days,” draws inspiration from Raymond Carver’s short story “Tell the Women We’re Going,” evoking a sense of anticipation and urgency. Meanwhile, the repeated phrase “Be sweet to me, baby” carries weight beyond the song’s buoyant melody. It’s not just a request, but a demand for emotional accountability within a relationship, reflecting both vulnerability and longing. As the track unfolds, shimmering synthesizers glide over a steady, driving beat, lending a glossy sheen to the song’s introspective moments. The contrast between the upbeat production and the lyrical undercurrent of desire, doubt, and emotional complexity makes “Be Sweet” feel both celebratory and contemplative, showcasing Zauner’s ability to balance joy with the nuanced realities of connection.
The icing on the proverbial “sweet” cake is the song’s music video, which amplifies its retro aesthetic and playful energy. Directed by Zauner, it features Mannequin Pussy’s Marisa Dabise as the two Philly-rooted singers navigate an X-Files universe. A red wig alludes to Dabice as Scully, and a brunette one to Zauner as Mulder. Packed with aliens, cornfields, and oversized glasses, the wacky visuals embrace the song’s nostalgic energy and turn it up a notch.