After gaining an avid following after the release of their first album, Soft Sounds from Another Planet, and finding monumental success with their second album, Jubilee, indie powerhouse Japanese Breakfast are a formidable force in the music scene. With their recent release of a new version of their most popular song, ‘Be Sweet’, in collaboration with So!YoON!, the band gives the track new dimensions and is sure to be a welcome treat for fans of both artists.
‘Be Sweet (Korean Version)’ manages to maintain the rhythm and staccato nature of its English counterpart, something that could easily have been lost in translation. Yet, this is not a carbon copy of the original. The differences in vocalisation between frontwoman Michelle Zauner and So!YoON! blend beautifully, with Zauner’s soft, ‘sweet’ voice contrasted by So!YoON!’s grittier tone to add more texture to an already catchy and interesting track.
While Korean musicians often feel a pressure to translate their songs into English so as to break into Western markets, Japanese Breakfast’s decision to do the opposite both bucks this trend and nods to Zauner’s Korean-American heritage. Working with a less well known artist also helps to bring them into the spotlight, with So!YoON!’s talent showcased alongside the band’s.
‘Be Sweet (Korean Version)’ is an excellent addition to Japanese Breakfast’s discography, and sets the stage for more translated versions of their songs in future. If you’d like the chance to hear them live, the band is bringing their signature sound to All Points East festival next month, and will be touring the UK this autumn.
Words by Lucy Carter
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