The artist discusses his sophomore album, working with Lana Del Rey, and how he feels about being labeled as “gender-bending.” Photography Robin Harper Styling Kat Typaldos

An air of melancholy permeates B&Oslash;RNS&rsquo;s artful sophomore album, Blue Madonna. The 26-year-old, rural Michigan-born singer-songwriter and musician &mdash; n&eacute;e Garrett Borns &mdash; isn&rsquo;t necessarily somber, but a particular sadness wafts between each smoky synth and sparkly glam rock riff, conjuring the pensive drama of Carlo Dolci (the album is titled after the painter&rsquo;s 17th century portrait of the Virgin Mary) or perhaps Pablo Picasso&rsquo;s iconic Blue Period.

Across the record, themes of heartbreak and existential longing anchor funky Prince- and Bowie-esque grooves, bringing the celestial sonics back down to earth, but Blue Madonna&mdash;the follow-up to 2015&rsquo;s Dopamine&mdash;mostly finds the eccentric artist in repose, reflecting on innocence lost.

&nbsp;

[Photo: B&Oslash;RNS wears Top Cherry Vintage, Pants Gucci, Earrings Necklace&nbsp;B&Oslash;RNS&#39;s own]

102-107_OF_0218_PopArt2.jpg

Makeup Melissa Murdick (Opus Beauty) using Make Up For Ever

Hair Iggy Rosales (Opus Beauty) using Kevin Murphy

Photo Assistants Carl Duquette and Alexandre Jaras

Stylist Assistants Kindall Almond, Shari Bisnaught, Olivia Typaldos

Location and Equipment Smashbox Studio

Catering City Kitchen

BØRNS’ Blue Madonna Is a Celebration of Innocence Lost

L'OFFICIEL USA May 2024 - Jackson Wang Cover

L'OFFICIEL USA May 2024 - Natalie Portman Cover

BØRNS’ Blue Madonna Is a Celebration of Innocence Lost

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