Japanese Breakfast's latest album draws inspiration from the solemn and contemplative memento mori art style
In the contemporary music scene, artists are finding inspiration in the past, specifically in the birth of painting, a pre-Internet era. This is evident in the works of various indie musicians who are referencing historical paintings in their albums and music videos.
Michelle Zauner, the singer behind Japanese Breakfast, has been making waves with her latest projects. In her album cover art for 'Jubilee', she chose a painting of another brunette with a troubled expression, symbolizing overindulgence and melancholy. The music video for 'Orlando In Love' references Botticelli's The Birth of Venus, adding a touch of the Renaissance to the modern tunes.
During her live performance on Jimmy Fallon, Zauner paid homage to friars and Renaissance poet Matteo Maria Boiardo, further emphasizing her connection to the historical period. Recently, she announced her fourth record, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), on January 7th, 2025. The album cover art features Zauner lying face down on a table with food and a skull, resembling a 17th-century Dutch vanitas still life.
Zauner's success sky-rocketed in 2021 with her third album Jubilee and memoir Crying in H Mart, which became a New York Times best-seller and earned two Grammy nominations. To express her artistic journey, she posted a series of soft paintings depicting seemingly sad women on her social media platforms.
Another indie artist, Lucy Dacus, has also been incorporating historical references in her visual campaigns. In her music video for the single 'Ankles', she appears as a woman from a Renaissance painting. Her album cover for Forever Is A Feeling features a framed painted portrait of herself. During her Jimmy Fallon performance, the gold frame from her album cover was enlarged, adding a dramatic touch to her performance.
However, specific references to historical elements in the works of Lucy Dacus and Panda Bear are not readily available. Further exploration, such as specialized sources or direct interviews with the artists, might provide insights into their visual-literary influences or historical references in their works.
Despite the lack of explicit connections, it's clear that these artists are drawn to the rich symbolism and emotional resonance found in historical paintings, using them to enhance the narrative and aesthetic of their own creations.
Michelle Zauner's album cover for 'For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)' resembles a 17th-century Dutch vanitas still life, showcasing her fascination with the historical period and the world of art. Lucy Dacus's album cover for Forever Is A Feeling features a framed painted portrait, hinting at her interest in the entertainment medium of the past, particularly paintings.
