Monitors - The Madelaine Affair (2025)

Monitors, the rock band described by Rolling Stone magazine as "creating an extraordinary musical fusion," will release their debut album, "The Madelaine Affair."

Formed in Paris in 2017, Monitors is comprised of members from the UK, Bosnia, and France, and signed to Manchester label Analogue Trash in 2021. The band's members are Emil Balic (bassist/composer), Renaud Fumey (guitarist), Chris Remick (lyricist/vocalist), and Féodor Trotta (drummer).

While their previous EPs, "Notes From The Aftermath" and "The War Office," explored themes such as political corruption, isolation, addiction, and ecology, the title of this album, "Madelaine," is derived from Proust's concept of the senses evoking memories. The album explores themes of loss of innocence, the distance of memory, and the pain of grief. The album cover depicts children playing in a desolate region, a nod to singer Chris's Irish roots and bassist Emil's post-war Balkan roots.

Composer Emil describes music as "a shelter against adversity," saying, "Even when everything falls apart, there are always moments to come together and celebrate the love of music." Lyricist Chris, meanwhile, describes the album as "a modern reincarnation of Marinetti's manifesto," saying it's filled with "violent inspiration, angelic flashes, and radical change."

The album also spawned collaborations with Euro-pop band Caesaria and pop artist Abel Chéret.