Furthering their impressive discography with a touch of an acoustic feel, Canadian independent band Men I Trust released its fifth studio album “Equus Asinus,” on March 19, 2025, a week after announcing the release date. “Equus Asinus” is the first of two Men I Trust albums to come out this year, with the second being “Equus Caballus,” both being named after animals in the genus Equus, which includes horses and donkeys. Men I Trust has risen to worldwide popularity in recent years for their indie bedroom pop musical style, which has a lo-fi and dreamy sound with a focus on softer vocals, exemplified by their popular track “Show Me How” and through “Equus Asinus.”
The album begins with “I Come With Mud,” a calming track where member Emmanuelle Proulx’s ambient vocals blend into guitar and piano seamlessly. This song only contains one verse, as Proulx sings, “I come with mud / From yellow bogs / Pulling on calves / Oh, I come with love” comparing themselves metaphorically to an earthly being, in a soft and slow tone. The use of an untraditional song structure is not unique to this song — many tracks on “Equus Asinus” don’t possess multiple verses or only contain a bridge that pushes right into the chorus. However, since Men I Trust’s unconventional structure and style is compounded by their usage of captivating instrumentals and acoustics, specifically drums, guitar and piano, “Equus Asinus” is able to stitch together relatively listenable songs to maintain interest. Focused more on auditory storytelling, and not continuous verse and lyric, “Equus Asinus” is a needle in a haystack in the current music scene.
The structure of the songs and hypnotic usage of verse and instruments foster a sense of cohesion throughout the record, as each song flows into the next. While an absence of lyrics on tracks like “What Matters Most” and “Paul’s Theme” may disinterest listeners who prefer songs consistent with mainstream pop’s upbeat lyricism and rhythm, these tracks allow listeners to integrate themselves and interpret the story of energy that “Equus Asinus” seeks to tell.
However, the inclusion of purely instrumental songs dilutes the album’s depth, pushing listeners to dig for answers that may not entirely be there. The lyricism that does exist is touching, seen through track “The Landkeeper,” where Proulx sings, “Strong arms nurtured heart and kin / Care in every seed / Taught them how to grow within” being emotional and metaphorical, but is quickly drowned out by instrumental.
Men I Trust includes tangible elements of interest that are a testament to their decade-long discography, even if “Equus Asinus” begins to gradually sink into a whirlpool of lackluster lyricism and the occasional guitar riff. Usage of French verse, an homage to the band’s Canadian origins, is present on tracks “Paul’s Theme” and “Girl (2025),” as Proulx sings about “le malheur ou bien la chance,” misfortune or good fortune, and rhetorically questions a young man about “mais que veux-tu,” or what he wants. In 14 tracks, Men I Trust manages to grasp onto their last bit of originality and distinction, recapturing lost listener interest and desirability even if the themes become quickly tiresome.
Men I Trust includes tangible elements of interest that are a testament to their decade-long discography, even if “Equus Asinus” begins to gradually sink into a whirlpool of lackluster lyricism and the occasional guitar riff. Usage of French verse, an homage to the band’s Canadian origins, is present on tracks “Paul’s Theme” and “Girl (2025),” as Proulx sings about “le malheur ou bien la chance,” misfortune or good fortune, and rhetorically questions a young man about “mais que veux-tu,” or what he wants. In 14 tracks, Men I Trust manages to grasp onto their last bit of originality and distinction, recapturing lost listener interest and desirability even if the themes become quickly tiresome.
“Equus Asinus” is imperceptive and slow, seeking to fulfill the expectations of Men I Trust’s longtime listeners, who treasure the band’s indie origins and song style, failing to capture those listening to Men I Trust for the first time. At most, the “Equus Asinus” can be compared to the likes of background music at your favorite cafe, concocting drops of ambience with hints of nature and metaphorical inclusions of Men I Trust’s personal experiences, leaving much to be desired and creating only a tolerable album.
RATING: 3/5
