Men I Trust - Equus Asinus

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Some albums have the ability to make us feel like we’re in a dream, to stop time or summon feelings from the past, like flickering through old memories. Equus Asinus, the latest from the ever-enchanting Men I Trust, is all of the above: dreamy, soft and melancholically nostalgic. It’s the first of a two-part offering with its companion, Equus Caballus, set to land on May 6th, followed by the band’s North American and European tour beginning in June. And as always, Men I Trust did not disappoint.

To their core, Men I Trust has always had a dreamlike musical palette, but on Equus Asinus, we see them take their familiar warmth and shape it into something new. The melodies remain unmistakably theirs, but the textures have shifted, reshaping from dreamy bedroom lofi to more melancholic indie folk resonances. It’s a quiet evolution, a perfect blend of soft-rock lounge daydreams and Phoebe Bridgers inspired ballads. Emmanuelle Proulx’s voice remains the soul of the project. As soft as a whisper and recomforting as a motherly hug, her compositions are sung delicately with each of her words floating lightly.

The two opening tracks offer a perfect glimpse into the atmosphere found on Equus Asinus.

When “I Come With Mud” begins you can hear the addition of a subtle twang to Men I Trust’s signature sound, a slight signal that something is shifting. And just as you start to settle, the album flows seamlessly into “All My Candles”, reassuring us with their peacefully familiar yet hypnotic soundscapes—a reminder that Men I Trust aren’t reinventing themselves, they’re evolving.

“Heavenly Flow” is another standout track that conveys the same magic, offering a sense of serenity and weightlessness to the listener–a love song that sees Men I Trust at their most heartfelt; comparing the love felt by someone special to a heavenly place.

We also have “Paul’s Theme’s”, serving as an elegant jazzy interlude to the second half of the album. With its atmospheric tones, it almost sounds like its melodies were sampled from some hidden deep cut. Paul’s Theme offers a moment of reflection on the first half of the journey, and as its last notes fade away, we’re introduced to “Girl (2025)”–a slow-burning vocal trio that showcases a new side of the band. A rare moment in which all three core members sing as one, “Girl (2025)” also sees Men I Trust tap into their roots by weaving French lyrics into one of their compositions—a shift foreshadowed on “Paul’s Theme”, where sung French can be faintly heard in the background.

Reminiscent of Serge Gainsbourg’s work, “Girl (2025)” unfolds over soft percussion, with Emma’s gentle voice complementing Jessy Caron, and Dragos Chiriac’s deep yet delicate melodies. It creates a melancholic dream that feels both familiar and otherworldly, perfectly encapsulating the album’s willingness to evolve without ever losing its essence.

Men I Trust has consistently proven with each release that they are (just like their name implies) a band you can trust. Equus Asinus is shaped by love, memory, and honest introspection. While the band has evolved their sound, one might wish they’d venture deeper into unexplored sonic territories and push the boundaries further. Equus Asinus might not be revolutionary for the band, but it’s a reaffirmation–a confident statement from a band that knows exactly who they are. It’s an album not to be missed, and one to return to.