On The Road

Welcome back to Finetuned! This is a chill one this week, let’s take it easy and relax. This week is all about Men I Trust! Look, I am a man (ew), but you can trust me on this one.

Who Are Men I Trust?

Born from a friendship rooted in Quebec City, Men I Trust is the kind of band that feels like a well-kept secret you’re glad to share, no gatekeeping here lads. Founded in 2014 by childhood friends Jessy Caron (guitar, bass) and Dragos Chiriac (keyboards), the project gained a defining voice when Emmanuelle “Emma” Proulx joined in 2016. With her soft, airy vocals and understated stage presence, Emma became the perfect complement to the band’s already-evolving aesthetic.

Their sound is an alchemy of indie pop, dream pop, and electropop - equal parts groove and glow. Think hypnotic basslines that move with liquid ease, synth textures that shimmer in and out of focus, and melodies that feel like they belong to golden-hour daydreams. But what sets Men I Trust apart isn’t just the sound; it’s the self-sufficiency. Entirely self-produced, their music carries the warmth and imperfections of analog intimacy, a refreshing antidote to over-polished pop.

In an era when algorithmic playlists dominate discovery, Men I Trust has built something slower, steadier. No gimmicks. Just thoughtful composition, meticulous craftsmanship, and a world you want to linger in.

What To Expect Sonically

Untourable Album, our rec today, is a sonically rich record that leans even further into the dreamlike minimalism the band is known for. As the title suggests, it was conceived and recorded during a time when touring wasn’t possible, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and that sense of interiority and stillness permeates every track. With that there are truly some highly impactful textures they created for this record, and that still ring true in their releases to follow.

The entire album carries a hazy, analog warmth that feels lived-in and organic. Rather than chasing glossy production, Untourable Album embraces sonic restraint. You’ll hear soft tape hiss, room reverb, and the imperfections of home recording, which add emotional texture rather than detract from fidelity. True to Men I Trust’s aesthetic, the bass plays a central, melodic role - fluid and rhythmic, guiding many tracks like a low-frequency narrator. It’s often the heartbeat, a low hum to keep you moving along the journey.

Clean, chorus-soaked guitars drift in and out, often processed with gentle phasing or delay. The synths are understated, used more to sculpt atmosphere than command attention. Pads swell softly, like fog rolling over hills, adding a sense of spatial depth without overwhelming the mix. Emma’s voice is delicate, intimate, and often mixed to sit just beneath or alongside the instruments rather than float above them. Her delivery is intentionally subdued, gently layered to become part of the sonic fabric rather than a focal point. It creates a feeling of closeness, like she’s singing from the next room over.

The drums are subtle, with lightly compressed kicks and snares that have a vintage, almost dusty feel. They're programmed or played in a way that avoids strict grid-lock timing, giving the rhythm section a sleepy, human quality. The album evokes a mood more than it tells stories. It’s deeply reflective, full of quiet tension and melancholy - less about climactic moments and more about sustained atmosphere. It's music for dusk, introspection, and long walks with no destination.

Touring The Untourable

If Oncle Jazz was Men I Trust's open-window, sunlit offering, Untourable Album is its quieter, contemplative sibling. The one that is shuttered in, wistful, and rich with emotional patina. It doesn’t try to perform; it invites you to sit with it.

Thanks for reading here, Finetuners! I do hope you all have enjoyed this week’s Finetuned. I’d appreciate any insights, admiration, or otherwise. You can reply to the newsletter directly or DM me on Twitter. (or email me here: [email protected])

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See you all in the next one! 🙌