Orlane

Orlane

From a very early age, a form of duality emerges in Orlane’s life. Her discovery of music takes place between two worlds, reflecting the separation of her parents when she was still very young. On one side, her mother, with whom she discovers Axelle Red and the unforgettable “Sensualité”. On the other, her father, who encourages her to explore and translate the lyrics of the English-language pop songs she loves so much, so she never misses a layer of meaning. Although she doesn’t come from a family of musicians, she certainly comes from a family of music lovers who have always encouraged her to follow her dreams.

At the age of eight, she begins piano lessons, which are soon replaced by dedicated guitar practice during her teenage years, and later, by the saxophone – often associated with men. Orlane’s journey can be seen as guided by a desire to shake the established order, ruled by patriarchal norms that often hinder women from thriving in traditionally male-dominated spaces. This drive is evident in her choice to study medicine instead of dropping everything to pursue music. Yet she never gives up on her musical dreams, leading a double life reminiscent of Hannah Montana – a character who fascinated her as a child: by day at the hospital, by night on stage.

She starts out on small stages and gradually posts videos online. It’s through these videos that she’s noticed and selected to participate in The Voice Belgique, where she makes it all the way to the semifinals. This experience gives her insight into the behind-the-scenes workings of the music industry. But it isn’t until she completes her medical studies that Orlane fully flourishes in music.

In 2023, she releases her debut track “À quoi tu penses ?”, quickly followed by “Adieu²” and “Jeux Dangereux”, all featured on her EP PRISME. A promising start that leads to her highly anticipated debut album, ALLER-RETOUR, set for release on May 2. With this record, she establishes herself as a talented singer-songwriter, notably through deeply intimate and personal lyrics. The album’s opening track, “TOUCHER LE CIEL”, is a perfect example, with its gentle a cappella introduction building into a crescendo.

With collaborators like Augustin Charnet (Disiz, SCH), French artists Alice et Moi and Dani Terreur, Orlane builds a unique sonic world: honest, heartfelt pop (as on “23/09”), and high-energy tracks (like the unforgettable “La fin du silence”), drawing inspiration from Miley Cyrus’s constant reinvention and the electronic productions of Olivia Merilahti (formerly The Dø). Orlane is unafraid to present herself as she truly is: a young woman in her twenties, navigating life’s ups and downs – “real rollercoasters!” she jokes.

The track “ALLER-RETOUR”, which gives the album its name, boasts a psychedelic sound that mirrors the lyrics and energy of the artist. “The fourteen tracks on this album – that’s me at 200%,” Orlane shares. An electro-pop album that reads like a confession, a slice of her life – a bit messy, a bit chaotic – turned into something vibrant and rare, the mark of greatness. The album feels like an intense and luminous journey, where life’s sudden accelerations and inevitable pauses intertwine in a whirlwind of transformation – between Brussels and Paris, between separation and reunion, between impatience and learning to wait.

With opening acts for artists like Loïc Nottet and Pierre de Maere, and a background in dance, Orlane is determined to put performance at the heart of her ambitious project. ALLER-RETOUR stands as a powerful testimony to resilience – that of a woman unafraid to declare who she is, loudly and clearly, despite the obstacles in her path.