Japanese Breakfast - For Melancholy Brunettes (and sorrowful women)

      Each album by Japanese Breakfast has provided Michelle Zauner with a platform to reflect on her life experiences and emotions, resulting in uniquely comforting lyrics that are further highlighted by her soft and wistful vocal quality. From the ethereal synths of ‘Psychopomp’ to the entrancing sci-fi ballads of ‘Soft Sounds from Another Planet’, the past four years have been spent speculating on the conceptual direction J-Brekkie would take after ‘Jubilee’; a phase that brought her intense joy and elevated her to the upper echelons of indie fame. Her latest work, ‘For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)’, combines the realms of music and literature, drawing inspiration from the tale of Icarus - who famously flew too close to the sun. Throughout the album, themes of lust, temptation, and sorrow prevail, with Michelle expertly leading us through an ocean of desire.

      Opening in quintessential Japanese Breakfast style, ‘Here Is Someone’ is gentle and inviting, similar to the first light of dawn filtering through the windows; as an echoing arpeggio guitar lays the melodic groundwork and a whistle-like synth mimics the sound of moving wind, a sense of hope envelops you. The lead single ‘Orlando in Love’ serves as a tribute to the great poets of the past who fell deeply for their own myths and ideals. As Michelle’s voice weaves through the track, enhanced by lush strings, a magical ambiance is created with the addition of a grand harp. It is a complete fairytale.

      The dream-like instrumentation of ‘For Melancholy…’ continues but transitions into a darker mood. For instance, ‘Honey Water’ narrates the tale of a wife enduring her husband’s infidelity: “Why can’t you be faithful?” Zauner whispers, as piano lines interlace the verses and deep bass notes wash over the track, generating a hazy blend of electric sounds that reflect the wife's disdain for her husband. As sadness manifests in various complex forms, this section of the album encompasses feelings of ennui and an enduring longing that only time can heal.

      Throughout, ‘For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)’ emerges as both a progression in musical sophistication and a nod to the earlier days of Japanese Breakfast; her painfully poignant song ‘Boyish’ (from 2017’s ‘Soft Sounds…’) may be viewed as a precursor to this album, showcasing her talent for crafting brilliant, heart-wrenching tracks. Although this album does revel in melancholy, it still contains moments of uplifting spirit - such as ‘Picture Window’, which adopts a country-influenced style with a driving, freight train-like energy. Additionally, the unexpected duet ‘Men In Bars’ brings to life the heart-wrenching imagery depicted in country ballads, with Michelle’s vocals harmonizing with Jeff Bridges’ to reveal an emotionally raw tone, while the closing track ‘Magic Mountain’ addresses the narcissism tied to a career in music (“Bury me beside you, in the shadow of my mountain”).

      ‘For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)’ guides us through a beautiful literary tribute to our intricate relationships with partners, ourselves, and the impact they may have on us, ultimately resulting in profound melancholy. While perhaps more somber and introspective than previous Japanese Breakfast albums, it still features magnificent moments of subdued optimism that manage to shine through. You can purchase a copy of our Japanese Breakfast-covering March 2025 print magazine here, and read the cover feature below.