Aurélien Cotentin, the French performer known professionally as Orelsan, who hails from Alençon, unveiled a major dual creative endeavor in October 2025. These two projects are intrinsically connected yet designed to function independently. The centerpiece of this announcement is his fifth studio LP, *La Fuite en avant* (The Flight Forward), which is slated for release on November 7, 2025. Comprising 17 tracks, this collection of new music represents a stylistic homecoming following his highly successful 2023 album, *Civilisation*.
Running concurrently with the album news, Orelsan’s feature film *Yoroi* debuted on October 29, 2025. In this project, the artist took on multiple roles, serving as both the lead actor and a co-screenwriter. Directed by David Tomaszewski—a frequent collaborator on Orelsan’s music videos—the movie plunges audiences into a fantasy realm infused with Japanese mystical elements. Orelsan portrays Aurélien, a touring musician seeking respite from the grind of the road. He relocates to the Japanese countryside with his pregnant spouse, Nanako, played by Clara Choi. Their tranquility is shattered when Aurélien finds an antique piece of samurai armor in an abandoned well, inadvertently summoning Yokai, the mythical entities of Japanese folklore. Fittingly, the title *Yoroi* is the Japanese word for "armor."
This filmic narrative delves into the performer’s private anxieties, particularly those concerning impending fatherhood and the exhaustion stemming from celebrity. Crucially, Orelsan clarified that this project transcends the typical definition of a movie soundtrack. While listeners are free to enjoy *La Fuite en avant* entirely separately from viewing *Yoroi*, the underlying thematic concerns are shared, and four specific tracks were initially penned for the film. This intentional overlap establishes a singular, expansive narrative environment, underscoring Orelsan's ambition to construct integrated, multi-layered artistic universes where individual components enhance the whole.
The tracklist for the new album showcases a remarkably diverse roster of featured talent, illustrating Orelsan’s wide-ranging creative vision. Notable collaborations include fellow French rappers Yamê and SDM, the globally recognized South Korean K-pop ensemble Fifty Fifty, and, perhaps most surprisingly, Thomas Bangalter of the iconic electronic music duo Daft Punk. Adding to the international flair is Lilas, also known as Ikura from the Japanese pair Yoasobi. To generate buzz for *Yoroi*, Orelsan hosted several exclusive preview screenings throughout France in October 2025. These promotional events, including sold-out dates in Caen on October 2 and at the historic Grand Rex cinema in Paris on October 16, proved immensely popular.
This synchronized release of both a major motion picture and a full-length album constitutes a singular, powerful statement of creative self-expression. By merging these distinct media formats, Orelsan offers audiences a unique opportunity to witness the transformation of his personal journey and introspection into a compelling narrative. This approach provides multiple entry points for understanding his work, a trajectory that began with his 2009 debut album, *Perdu d'avance*.