Michelle Zauner’s breakthrough album! First time I saw Japanese Breakfast was in a 150-cap venue opening for Mitski in the summer of 2016. The show was intimate, engaging, and it was immediately clear that Mitski and Zauner were both destined for larger venues. However, I could not have predicted the full extent of success either artist has attained since then. To me, Jubilee is Zauner unlocking her full potential as a songwriter and performer. The songs are infectious–the hook to “Be Sweet” was stuck in my head since the first listen. The orchestral chamber pop of “Paprika,” “Tactics,” “Kokomo, IN,” and “Posing For Cars” is luscious, moving, and reminiscent of many of Secretly Group’s greatest hits. If there’s one Japanese Breakfast record to have in your collection, Jubilee is it. 10 tracks on black vinyl.

• black vinyl pressing
  
• housed in gatefold sleeve
  
• digital download included
• music label: Dead Oceans 2021
  

reviewed by SHH! 03/2022