After a four-year wait, Michelle Zauner's Japanese Breakfast is gearing up to release their highly anticipated follow-up to the critically acclaimed Jubilee (2021). The new album, titled For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), is slated to drop on March 21, 2025. To mark this exciting milestone, Japanese Breakfast has unveiled the album’s lead single, the lush and enigmatic “Orlando in Love.” The track, which Zauner had previously teased in live performances, sets the stage for an album that promises to be both melancholic and deeply introspective. Here’s everything you need to know about the new album and "Orlando in Love."
The New Album: For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women)
For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) represents a new creative direction for Japanese Breakfast. While Jubilee was filled with bright, euphoric pop melodies that celebrated themes of joy, healing, and renewal, Zauner's forthcoming album leans toward a more somber, reflective tone. Described as a “literary-inspired” collection of songs, the new work draws heavily from the introspective world of great writers, with a particular focus on the unfinished epic poem Orlando Innamorato by Renaissance poet Matteo Maria Boiardo.
Zauner has shared that the album will explore themes of sadness, longing, and personal introspection through a very intimate lens. The title, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), signals a dedication to those who resonate with these emotions—particularly women who feel unseen or misunderstood. This emotional focus promises to provide a profound listening experience for anyone navigating similar feelings.
"Orlando in Love": A Dreamlike Journey
The first single, "Orlando in Love," introduces fans to the album's tone—ethereal, poetic, and emotionally complex. Drawing inspiration from John Cheever's interpretation of Orlando Innamorato, the song takes us through a lyrical landscape where mythology intertwines with contemporary yearning. Zauner’s vocals effortlessly shift between longing and reflection, with the instrumental arrangement featuring dreamy guitar riffs, lush synths, and a soft, hypnotic rhythm that enhances the track's introspective nature.
"Orlando in Love" offers a vivid snapshot of Zauner's evolving sound—a blend of lush orchestration and delicate moments of vulnerability, setting the stage for what is likely to be a deeply emotional and nuanced album.
"Orlando in Love" Lyrics Breakdown
The lyrics of “Orlando in Love” give us a deeper look into the poetic world that Zauner has crafted for this album. Here’s a breakdown of some key elements:
“Orlando in love / Writes 69 cantos / For melancholy brunettes and sad women”
The repetition of "Orlando" throughout the song builds a haunting refrain, while the line "writes 69 cantos" evokes an epic storytelling tradition. The number 69, though seemingly arbitrary, suggests intimacy, personal reflection, and perhaps a hint of humor or playfulness. The phrase "melancholy brunettes and sad women" ties directly to the album's title, offering solace and connection to those who identify with feelings of isolation, longing, or emotional complexity.
“The breeze carries salt / And sipping milky broth / He casts his gaze towards the sea out the Winnebago”
This surreal imagery evokes a blend of natural and introspective landscapes. The salt of the sea, combined with "milky broth," seems to paint a picture of quiet contemplation while in a place of solitude. The mention of a "Winnebago" (a mobile home) adds an Americana-like touch, underscoring the themes of travel and isolation, as well as a sense of nostalgia or restlessness.
“As if the sea had bore her to be an ideal woman / She came to him from the water like Venus from a shell”
This line directly references the classical myth of Venus rising from the sea. By comparing the idealized woman to this unattainable figure, Zauner paints a picture of longing for perfection—something Orlando both desires and struggles to fully grasp. The metaphor ties back to the Renaissance origins of Boiardo’s Orlando Innamorato, enhancing the song’s timeless romanticism.
“Singing his name with all the sweetness of a mother / Leaving him breathless and then drowned”
The mix of motherly sweetness with the overwhelming sensation of being "drowned" in love introduces the duality of the track. This line speaks to the consuming nature of love—how it can uplift and suffocate all at once. It’s a poetic depiction of both the beauty and the danger inherent in deep emotional connections.
“Orlando, Orlando / Orlando, Orlando”
The chorus, where Zauner repeats Orlando’s name, becomes a mantra of obsession and longing. It reflects the central theme of the song: a journey through the complexities of love, desire, and emotional turmoil.
The Significance of the "Orlando" Inspiration
The connection to Orlando Innamorato is especially rich, as it roots Zauner’s modern narrative in a centuries-old tradition of love, longing, and identity. Written in the 15th century, Boiardo’s unfinished epic centers around Orlando, a knight who falls in love with the idealized and unattainable Angelica. This poem's combination of romance, fantasy, and tragedy provides a fertile foundation for Zauner to explore themes of unrequited love, obsession, and emotional conflict.
John Cheever’s more modern interpretation adds another layer of complexity, making the story feel both timeless and contemporary. By weaving these literary influences into her work, Zauner elevates the narrative beyond a simple love story, transforming it into a rich emotional and intellectual journey.
What to Expect from the Full Album
If “Orlando in Love” is any indication, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women) will be an album that invites listeners to slow down and immerse themselves in its atmospheric world. The track introduces themes of longing, nostalgia, and introspection while maintaining a delicate balance between sadness and beauty. Zauner’s sound has always been marked by a unique ability to blend lush arrangements with stripped-down, vulnerable moments, and this new album promises more of that emotional depth.
For fans of Jubilee, this new album represents a more subdued, reflective follow-up. While it may not share the euphoric energy of its predecessor, it will likely maintain the same deeply personal essence that made Zauner’s previous work so magnetic. This new chapter marks a shift toward a more intimate, literary-inspired style, offering listeners an opportunity to connect with Zauner’s growth as an artist.
Conclusion: A Poetic and Emotional Return
With “Orlando in Love” and the announcement of For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women), Michelle Zauner solidifies her place as one of indie music’s most profound and introspective voices. This album promises to offer an evocative exploration of love, loss, and longing—all through the lens of Zauner’s unique poetic vision. Fans will have to wait a few more months for the full album, but with the release of "Orlando in Love," it's clear that Zauner's exploration of emotional depth is just beginning.
If you’re a fan of Japanese Breakfast's previous work, or if you appreciate deeply emotional music that combines literary inspiration with unique sonic landscapes, this album is sure to be one of the most compelling releases of 2025.
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