Equus Asinus: A Dreamy Escape
Album Review - Equus Asinus by Men I Trust
Equus Asinus Marks the Best Indie Release of 2025 So Far
Since discovering them, Men I Trust have been a guilty pleasure for me. Their Untourable Album was one of my favorite releases of 2021. Therefore, I was hyped to learn that they wouldn’t release just one, but actually two albums this year.
Equus Asinus comes with a soulful atmosphere, pulling you into a peaceful listening experience. The dreamy and soft vocals throughout the album pair beautifully with some lovely guitar work in the background. The band doesn’t push into new directions but rather sticks to their usual sound. However, there are more folk-inspired moments on the album (like on The Landkeeper), which makes me wonder what direction the follow-up album will take.
The album opens with I Come With Mud, a track that made me feel like I was being transported to a peaceful place under the dawn sun. Emmanuelle Proulx’s vocals are smooth and mesmerizing, making the intro song an album highlight. Two other standouts are Heavenly Flow and Frost Bite. On Heavenly Flow, the band showcases some wonderful instrumentals, creating a truly special vibe. Frost Bite once again manages to evoke nostalgia—without me even knowing exactly why. The Landkeeper leans into a folkier sound, while Paul’s Theme is a vibe from start to finish. Though the second half of the album is more inconsistent, it still has some great songs to offer, like I Don’t Like Music, where Proulx wrestles with an inner love/hate relationship with music.
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Overall, Men I Trust return with a confident, solid, and—for the most part—consistent album. Only the closing tracks leave something to be desired, as they feel slightly weaker than the rest of the record. Equus Asinus isn’t a risky project or one that introduces new influences into the band’s music. Instead, it relies on the elements the band is comfortable with, which is fine. It will be interesting to see if they take more risks on the next album. But for anyone seeking an album full of dreamy and peaceful bedroom pop, Equus Asinus is the perfect listen. And for Men I Trust fans, this is yet another strong entry in the band’s discography.
Men I Trust - Equus Asinus: Overall Rating: 80/100
Track Ratings:
I Come With Mud – 84/100
All My Candles – 79/100
Bethlehem – 78/100
Frost Bite – 80/100
Heavenly Flow – 87/100
The Landkeeper – 85/100
Purple Box – 76/100
Paul’s Theme – 82/100
Girl (2025) – 77/100
Burrow – 76/100
Unlike Anything – 76/100
I Don’t Like Music – 79/100
Moon 2 – 74/100
What Matters Most – 72/100