Men I Trust is a Canadian indie dream-pop and electropop band from Montreal, Quebec, formed in 2014 by high school friends and university music students Jessy Caron and Dragos Chiriac. They were later joined by lead vocalist and guitarist Emmanuelle Proulx in 2016, cementing their signature hazy, low-key, and groovy sound.
Known for their self-released records and distinct DIY aesthetic, the band has built a massive global following completely on their own terms. They write, record, mix, and self-produce their music, as well as shoot their own music videos.
Notable Highlights
- Breakthroughs: The band gained significant mainstream traction after releasing the viral hit "Show Me How" (from their acclaimed 2019 album Oncle Jazz), which racked up hundreds of millions of streams.
- Key Endorsements: Early on, their self-driven ascent caught the attention of Tyler, the Creator, who personally invited them to perform at his Camp Flog Gnaw music festival.
- Recent Releases: The band has maintained a steady output of serene, genre-defining music, independently releasing studio albums like Untourable Album, as well as their 2025 projects Equus Asinus and Equus Caballus.
For a look into how the trio achieves their incredibly clean, airy, and chill studio sound using simple, strategic microphone setups:
Band Members:
Emmanuelle Proulx Jessy Caron Dragos ChiriacInfluences:
Men I Trust blends dreamy indie pop, bedroom pop, and chillwave with deep jazz, funk, and disco influences. Their signature cozy sound is shaped by a mix of vintage synthesizers, classical music, and the natural, solitary landscapes of rural Quebec.Their primary musical and sonic influences include:Jazz & Funk: Bassist Jessy Caron and keyboardist Dragos Chiriac both studied music and jazz at college. The band frequently uses jazz-standard chord progressions and breezy, improvisational jazz solos.Early 2000s Electronic & Disco: Dragos has roots as an electronic producer, pulling heavy influence from Italo-Disco, French house music, and 2000s electronic movements.Vintage Synthesizers: Their signature sound is built around the glassy, crystalline tones of the 1983 Yamaha DX7 synthesizer. They also use plug-ins like the Arturia Mellotron and Prophet Rev2 to capture a warm, analog feel.Classic Pop Vocalists: Vocalist Emma Proulx has a background listening to '90s and '00s pop stars like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion. However, she blends this with the grainy, intimate styles of indie/folk singers like Lisa Hannigan.Classical Roots: Dragos listened exclusively to Bach for about eight years and also draws inspiration from French classical impressionist composers.Nature & Solitude: The band credits the quiet, green, and solitary confines of rural Quebec with putting them in a deeply grounded, contemplative creative space.Similar artists:
The Marías, Crumb, and Clairo