Friday Tune / Men I Trust - Oncle Jazz

Friday Tune #6 - Waiting for the world to bend around you

When the demands of the world threaten to consume us, there are moments when we just need to sit back and breathe. For me, those moments are best spent quietly, lost in my thoughts, and enjoying some dreamy ambient music. Lately, I have found myself needing these introspective moments more than ever, and the perfect soundtrack for them is "Oncle Jazz" by Men I Trust. Its subversive and intricate pop melodies create an atmosphere of tranquility, allowing me to fully immerse myself in my own thoughts and simply be.

Formed in 2014 by high school friends Jessy Caron and Dragos Chiriac, "Men I Trust" is an indie band hailing from Montreal, Quebec. The group consists of Emmanuelle Proulx (vocals, guitar), Jessy Caron (guitar, bass), and Dragos Chiriac (keyboard). In 2015, they released their second studio album "Headroom" featuring multiple vocalists, including Ghostly Kisses and Emmanuelle Proulx, who officially joined the group as lead vocalist and guitarist in March 2016.

"Men I Trust" is well-known for their easy-listening sound, highlighted by Emma Proulx's breathy vocals and poetic lyrics. Their dreamy, jazzy sound is created by a combination of electronically-produced sounds, keyboard, drums, bass, and guitar. They have self-released all of their music, including four studio albums and two physical-only EPs, and have also released physical editions on Canadian indie label "Return to Analog".

Released on September 13, 2019, "Oncle Jazz" is a subversive and ambient pop album that is both intricate and interesting, while still being mellow and calming enough to fit on any "chill" playlist. The band's commitment to aesthetic mellowness and perfectly crafted pop songs is what sets them apart. Bassist Jessy Caron's playing is the soul of the album, while vocalist Emma Proulx's lyrics are modern, thoughtful, and often beautiful.

During an interview with Nick Fulton for Billboard, the group discussed the impact of the rural Quebec environment on the sound of their album. Emma explained that being surrounded by greenery and isolated from distractions allowed them to concentrate on their music and fostered a unique creative mindset, stating "It put us in a really different creative mood and we were able to focus more, because there’s nothing to do outside of the house except for walking and thinking about music.”

The album's best feature is how each song feels like a distinct entity despite the sonics being largely homogenous. There are no real beginnings or endings to the songs, and many fade in and out, creating a deceptively immersive listening experience that rewards active listeners. The band rarely feels like they're repeating themselves, and this is a sign of smart pacing or thoughtful songwriting, or both. They are technically proficient without being showy, and they play with an airtight groove that blurs genre lines. "Oncle Jazz" has a very unique and irresistible flavor that immediately transports you to a state of blissful indulgence.

Thanks for reading, and have an amazing weekend.
I leave you with "Tailwhip".

Links

• Official website: Men I Trust
• Label: Return to Analog