A vital new music discovery from France comes by way of the progressive French pop-rock band Madlen Keys. The band’s cutting-edge sound is commanded by the irresistible pop-rock revelations on their album debut, Event Horizon. The album makes a splendid introduction to the electric and acoustic guitars, violin, arrangements and multi-layered vocals of French songstress Caroline Calen. Exuding confidence and an elegant stage presence, Ms. Calen is supported by a band of skillful musicians, including Yann Pousset (drums, percussion), Antoine Geremia (keyboards), Baptiste Mottais (electric guitars) and Grégoire Lozach (bass). On Event Horizon, Madlen Keys radiates a kind of musical ESP and, topped off by creative album artwork, the CD is quite glistening sounding.

Several guest artists lend further sheen to this remarkable album, including Julian Stahl (sitar) and the band’s sonic chemistry is further brought into the light through the expert mixing by Adrien Bolko and co-production from Kévin Sohier. Clearly, there’s lots going on throughout the 8-track, 39-minute album. As their approach is wholly original, it’s hard to draw comparisons, though with Ms. Calen’s soaring lead vocals and harmonies some of the tracks do evoke a late 1960s American West coast pop vibe that transforms into a post-‘80s sound with a nod to Durutti Column and the 4 A.D. label as well as luminaries like the late Jeff Buckley, the band Radiohead and singer Björk. The Madlen Keys cover of Jeff Buckley’s “Grace” has already impressed many on YouTube.

The album's leadoff track “The Maze” sets the scene with its ultra-melodic sounds and hypnotic beats. Hearing Ms. Calen’s sing her well implemented English-lyrics seems perfectly matched by the swirling, full-bodied sounds that are further fleshed out by her electric guitars and on various cuts, her appealing multi-layered backing vocals. The combination of Ms. Calen’s voice and guitars intertwined with the same of Baptiste Mottais is quite effective and the synth keyboards of Antoine Geremia is another highpoint. There is even a patriotic sounding track here, with French lyrics, that closes Event Horizon, called “Pensando En Ti”, but the other tracks are all performed in English so the album is sure to reach a wider, English speaking audience. Madlen Keys are also on fire on another track here called “Breathe”, which further informs fans by way of a breathtaking video clip that serves as a good indicator of the Madlen Keys approach to the new progressive rock.

On Event Horizon, the music of Caroline Calen and Madlen Keys takes the music world by storm on an album that merges Eurock, heavy rock and electronica. Event Horizon is tailor-made for music fans that appreciate state of the art recording, catchy tunes and proggy vibes, all art forms that form the essence of Ms. Calen’s musical expressions. With the 2023 release of Event Horizon, Madlen Keys appears close to the edge amid a new renaissance of progressive European rock music.