In 2014, Michelle Zauner left the Philadelphia-based emo band Little Big League to care for her terminally ill mother in her hometown of Eugene, Oregon.

Psychopomp received unexpected critical and commercial success, rejuvenating Zauner's efforts to make music a career and leading her to sign with Dead Oceans.

[16] Zauner also hoped to create a "hi fi" album in contrast to Psychopomp's lo-fi palette that also maintained its predecessor's experimental and playful nature.

[27][28][29] Soft Sounds from Another Planet received widespread acclaim from music critics who praised its experimental production, eclectic range of genres and subject matter of grief and love.

[4] No Ripcord's Juan Edgardo Rodriguez also complimented the eclectic range of genres on the album and opined Zauner to be "at her best when she builds upon her aching vocal delivery.

"[49] Tim Sendra of AllMusic considered the album an improvement over Psychopomp and praised the songs', "spacious, expansive sound that envelops the listener in warmth (even when the synths get a little chilly.

"[51] The Quietus' Veronica Irwin praised the album for retaining the "heartfelt intensity" of its predecessor and Japanese Breakfast's relatable lyrics while expressing surprise at the record's sonic experimentation.

Club said, "And while everything on Japanese Breakfast's proper sophomore effort isn't entirely fresh, and its structure is somewhat loose, there's a confidence and crispness to Soft Sounds that shows just how fully realized Zauner's formerly homemade experiments have become.