Four years zoomed by since Japanese Breakfast’s happier-than-usual Jubilee earned them both Billboard and Grammy attention. It’s also been that long since their vocalist, Michelle Zauner, showcased her writing skills in her best-selling memoir, “Crying in H Mart”, which was set to be adapted into film, until its director, British-Japanese actor Will Sharpe, pulled out. So, as we wait for that to materialize, the Philly foursome’s back. And in case you missed it, they’re sad again. 

It doesn’t take much to decipher the album’s mood. As with its predecessor, it’s right there in the title: “For Melancholy Brunettes (& sad women)”. Zauner couldn’t be prouder of that creative choice. She admits loving “semi-obnoxious” monikers like that 90-word poem that identified Fiona Apple’s sophomore follow-up in 1999. But, cut her some slack; she’s written a book.

The first two singles, “Orlando in Love” and “Mega Circuit”, show no trace of Be Sweet’s bubblegum leanings. From there, we’re reminded that Jubilee was a worthwhile experiment, and that’s it. This is their brooding, pensive return to form, profuse with strings, acoustics, and lots pining and misery. And Zauner’s lyrics are poetic as always.

The rest of the tracks wallow in ambience, as in “Leda”, and introspection, as in “Picture Window”. There’s one surprise appearance, though. Jeff Bridges sings a verse in the country-tinged “Men in Bars”, reminding us that he once, in fact, played Hank Thompson in Crazy Hearts. 

No part of this 32-minute sound trip is destined to chart, but it only means the band’s no sellout. That’s Japanese Breakfast for you. They prefer sitting with their overwhelming feelings and setting them into melody. It’s why they’ve been around for almost a decade.