The music world in 2025 is buzzing with excitement, despite the growing trend of surprise album drops keeping fans on their toes. While many confirmed releases taper off by May, a trio of high-profile albums from Japanese Breakfast, Coheed and Cambria, and Lana Del Rey promise a diverse mix of styles and storytelling.
Japanese Breakfast’s For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)
Michelle Zauner, the creative force behind Japanese Breakfast, is set to release her much-anticipated album, For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women). The album’s title comes from its lead single, “Orlando In Love,” a reinterpretation of the Renaissance poem Orlando Innamorato by Matteo Maria Boiardo. In Zauner’s hands, the knight’s pursuit of a princess transforms into the tale of a poet living in a seaside Winnebago, lured by a siren’s song.
Thematically, the album explores temptation, with Zauner drawing inspiration from her rise to mainstream fame following the success of her 2021 memoir, Crying In H Mart. While Japanese Breakfast has long been a darling of indie music circles since their 2016 debut, Psychopomp, this record could represent a breakthrough into the broader cultural zeitgeist.
Coheed and Cambria’s Vaxis: Act III: The Father of Make Believe
For over 20 years, Coheed and Cambria have captivated fans with their sci-fi epic, The Amory Wars, a sprawling story told through music, comics, and novels. Their latest release, Vaxis: Act III: The Father of Make Believe, is the 10th concept album in this universe and continues the band’s tradition of ambitious, cinematic prog rock.
Even if you’re not up to speed on The Amory Wars’ dense lore, the band’s dramatic, apocalyptic sound is designed to thrill. Described as the musical equivalent of “the last stand in a post-apocalyptic hellscape,” Coheed and Cambria’s new album promises to deliver their signature mix of intense storytelling and larger-than-life instrumentation.
Lana Del Rey’s The Right Person Will Stay
Lana Del Rey announced her upcoming 10th studio album, The Right Person Will Stay, via Instagram in November 2024. While details remain scarce, Del Rey teased that fans can expect to hear new music ahead of April’s Stagecoach Festival, hinting that the album might include some country influences.
Initially, Del Rey had promised a country album titled Lasso for September 2024, but that record never materialized. It’s unclear whether The Right Person Will Stay incorporates elements of Lasso or represents an entirely new direction. Either way, Del Rey’s journey into country music—or at least country-leaning territory—is one of the most intriguing developments in her already genre-defying career.
The Evolving Music Landscape
These releases highlight the diversity and unpredictability of the modern music scene. With Japanese Breakfast delving into poetic allegory, Coheed and Cambria expanding their epic saga, and Lana Del Rey exploring new stylistic territory, 2025 is already shaping up to be an exciting year for music fans.
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