Montaigne
Theatrical art pop fueled by operatic vocals and hyper-vulnerable lyrics. A high-energy blend of orchestral drama and neon synth hooks for the bold and the broken.
Theatrical art pop fueled by operatic vocals and hyper-vulnerable lyrics. A high-energy blend of orchestral drama and neon synth hooks for the bold and the broken.
Montaigne sounds like a grand stage production happening inside a very modern, very anxious mind. The music is defined by Jessica Cerro's extraordinary vocal range, which shifts effortlessly from intimate, whispered confessions to glass-shattering operatic belts. It is art pop that isn't afraid to be 'too much,' embracing maximalist arrangements, shimmering synths, and sudden orchestral swells that mirror the volatility of human emotion.
What makes Montaigne distinctive is the intellectual rigor behind the hooks. Named after a 16th-century essayist, the project treats pop music as a vehicle for deep self-examination and philosophical inquiry. While the melodies are often bright and infectious, the lyrics dig into the messy mechanics of relationships, self-worth, and the performance of identity. It is music that feels both highly calculated and wildly spontaneous.
Start with 'Glorious Heights' to hear the definitive marriage of indie-rock sensibilities and soaring pop ambition. If you are looking for something more experimental and synth-driven, 'Complex' offers a deeper dive into the artist's evolving sonic palette. For those who love a high-stakes anthem, 'Technicolour' showcases the sheer power and theatricality that took them to the global stage.
Jessica Alyssa Cerro (born 14 August 1995), better known as Montaigne, is an Australian musician, singer and Twitch streamer. Their debut album, Glorious Heights, was released in August 2016 and peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2016, they won Breakthrough Artist – Release for the album and received nominations in three other categories. In April 2016, they were a featured vocalist on Hilltop Hoods' track "1955" and "A Whole Day's Night, which reached No. 2 on the ARIA Singles Chart. They were supposed to represent Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "Don't Break Me" until the contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, they represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Technicolour".
Shares art pop, indie pop, chamber pop (subgenres); maximalist, studio polished, orchestral arrangement (production style)
Shares maximalist, studio polished, orchestral arrangement (production style); art pop, chamber pop, electropop (subgenres)
Shares art pop, indie pop, chamber pop (subgenres); maximalist, studio polished, orchestral arrangement (production style)
Shares art pop, indie pop, chamber pop (subgenres); maximalist, studio polished, digital clarity (production style)
Shares art pop, indie pop, chamber pop (subgenres); vulnerable, playful, bittersweet (moods)
Shares art pop, indie pop, chamber pop (subgenres); maximalist, studio polished, orchestral arrangement (production style)
Shares maximalist, studio polished, orchestral arrangement (production style); art pop, chamber pop, electropop (subgenres)
Shares art pop, indie pop, chamber pop (subgenres); maximalist, studio polished, digital clarity (production style)
Shares art pop, indie pop, chamber pop (subgenres); studio polished, orchestral arrangement, digital clarity (production style)
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