Back in January we raised a glass to Japanese Breakfast’s Melancholy Tour, which excitedly delivered Michelle Zauner’s band across the country for the first time in three years, and included in the run is a stop that finally arrives tonight (May 7) at MGM Music Hall at Fenway.
The tour is in support of new album For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women), which dropped in March via Dead Oceans, and according to press notes, the record explores “the darker waves that roil within, the moody, fecund field of melancholy, long held to be the psychic state of poets on the verge of inspiration. The result is an artistic statement of purpose: A mature, intricate, contemplative work that conjures the romantic thrill of a gothic novel.”
Just before the release, we were treated to a sterling single from the record, a moody kind of jangle groove called “Mega Circuit.” And like with most of Zauner’s best work, there’s something a little more serious strewing under the bubbly indie-pop demeanor.
“‘Mega Circuit’ was one of the first songs I wrote, intent on making a creepier, more guitar driven-record,” Zauner says. “The song is sort of an examination of contemporary masculinity, and explores a conflicted desire to embrace a generation that in the absence of positive role models has found refuge in violence and bigotry. We had the legendary Jim Keltner — who’s played on everything from ‘These Days’ to ‘Here You Come Again’ to ‘Dream Weaver’ — come in and play the fiercest shuffle you’ve ever heard.”
It should sound lovely tonight on Lansdowne. Ahead of the gig, indulge in “Mega Circuit” through the track’s video, directed by Zauner with frequent collaborator Adam Kolodny, below.
JAPANESE BREAKFAST + GINGER ROOT :: Wednesday, May 7 at MGM Music Hall at Fenway, 2 Lansdowne St. in Boston, MA :: 7 p.m., all ages, $50 to $85 :: Event info :: Advance tickets