Review
We're diving into the hauntingly beautiful world of Japanese Breakfast with their 2025 release, "For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)." Imagine the kind of swirling emotions usually packed between the covers of a gothic novel, but set to the groove of indie pop! This album takes a bold turn from the band’s earlier, more sun-filled tunes and wraps us in a velvety shroud of introspection and nuance. With lush strings and ethereal woodwinds, it's like tasting a complex red wine with hints of mystery swirling in every note. It's also the band's first foray into recording in a professional studio, which adds a polished yet haunting touch to their sound.
Michelle Zauner pulls you in as she spins tales that dance through the landscapes of loneliness, desire, and the yearning for human connection. With "Orlando in Love" and "Mega Circuit," she serves storytelling on a silver platter, peppered with ravioli-like layers of meaning. Literary references abound throughout the tracks, from whispers of Renaissance poetry to echoes of Greek mythology, lending the lyrics an almost academic richness. The album’s title cheekily nods at the stereotype of the brooding female songwriter, while the songs themselves zag away from any such pigeonhole. With each listen, "For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)" unveils a deeper layer, making it an album that's both introspective and delightfully enigmatic, like finding a hidden piece of dark chocolate amidst a plate of mints. - Lindsay
