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Hugo Pierre Leclercq (French pronunciation: [yɡo pjɛʁ ləklɛʁ]; born 30 May 1994), better known by his stage name Madeon (/ˈmædiən/), is a French musician, DJ, record producer, singer and songwriter from Nantes, based in Los Angeles.[2] He initially came to widespread public attention at age 17 through a YouTube video, "Pop Culture", where he performed a mash-up of 39 different popular songs in real-time using a Novation Launchpad. It received millions of hits in its first few days of release.[3] Madeon has cited the Beatles and Daft Punk as his greatest musical influences.[3]

Madeon's first EP, The City, was released in 2012. His debut studio album, Adventure, was released in 2015, supported by a 22-stop North American tour.[4] In 2019, Madeon released his second album, Good Faith, as part of the Good Faith Live tour.

Madeon was ranked at number 105 on DJ Mag's top DJs for 2017.[5] In 2017, he was nominated for two Electronic Music Awards with Porter Robinson for Single of the Year and Live Act of the Year. Good Faith was nominated for a 2021 Best Electronic Album Grammy Award.[6]

Career beginnings

[edit]

Born on 30 May 1994[7] in Nantes, France,[8] Hugo Pierre Leclercq[9] started composing music at the age of 11,[3] producing hands-up under the name of "Daemon" and Wayne Mont until 2010 when he began producing house music under his current name, Madeon, which is an anagram of his previous nickname. He won a remix competition for "The Island" by Pendulum the same year.[10]

He went on to remix tracks by other electronic artists the following year. A clip of Leclercq performing his mash-up "Pop Culture", uploaded to YouTube on 11 July 2011, propelled him to international fame. It featured samples from thirty-nine songs mixed together on-the-fly using a Novation Launchpad. The clip went viral and reached over six million views in just a few days.[3] According to a Reddit AMA he hosted in November 2019, he had the idea, purchased the Launchpad, and recorded the song all on the same day.[11]

During live performances, apart from the Launchpads, he also uses Allen & Heath's Xone:K2, Novation's Launch Control XL and Ableton Live.[12] His first live performance was in Paris in April 2011 where he was a support act to Yelle,[3] and his UK debut was at The Nest in Dalston, London where he performed alongside the likes of Jacques Lu Cont.[12]

Leclercq has been featured several times on "15 Minutes of Fame", a segment of Pete Tong's radio show on BBC Radio 1, with both his debut single "Icarus" and his remix for Deadmau5's "Raise Your Weapon" given their first full play on the show.[citation needed] His live recorded performance debut was for Pete Tong's BBC Radio 1 gala event in Hull on 27 January 2012, where he played a 20-minute-long set.[13]

A debut EP was scheduled to be released at the end of 2011,[3] but then cancelled in favour of multiple singles.[14] The first single, "Icarus", was released on 24 February 2012 on his independent label popcultur.[citation needed]

Madeon toured with Lady Gaga as an opening act during her Born This Way Ball.[15] He later worked with Gaga on three tracks, "Gypsy", "Mary Jane Holland", and "Venus" on her third studio album, Artpop.[16]

In 2012, he was invited to play four major American festivals, the Ultra Music Festival in Miami,[17] Coachella in California, Lollapalooza in Chicago and Electric Daisy Carnival in New York,[18] as well as several UK dance music festivals, including the Dance Arena at the BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend; he also provided support for Swedish House Mafia's headlining set at the Milton Keynes Bowl.[19] Leclercq was listed at number 54 on DJ Mag in 2012.[20] Madeon released a new single on 3 August 2013 titled "Technicolor."[21] On 25 February 2014, Leclercq released a track available for a free download on his website called "Cut the Kid", stating that it was created c. 2011 or 2012.

Many of his songs have been used in media franchises: "Icarus" was featured in the US show Dancing with the Stars in May 2012 and 21 May 2013 (finals with Aly Raisman), on the in-game soundtrack of Forza Horizon, and the animated film The Mitchells vs. the Machines; "Finale" and "Imperium" have been featured in EA Sports' FIFA 13 and FIFA 15 respectively. "You're On" was also featured in Pro Evolution Soccer 2016. "Finale" has also been included in the opening cinematic of PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale; "The City" appears in EA Sports' NHL 15, Need for Speed: Most Wanted and "Technicolor (Club Extended)" in Need for Speed Rivals.[citation needed] "Finale" and Leclercq's remix of "The Night Out" by Martin Solveig were featured on the official soundtrack of ESPN's Winter X Games XVII event in Tignes, France and both received several plays on air.[22] "Finale" continues to be used as the bumper music for X Games broadcasts.[23]

2015: Adventure

[edit]
Madeon live in Brussels, 2015
Main article: Adventure (Madeon album)

In September 2014, Leclercq released "Imperium" as the lead single from his debut studio album, Adventure. On 8 December 2014, Leclercq released the second single from the album, titled "You're On", featuring Kyan. On 9 February 2015, Leclercq released the album's third single, "Pay No Mind," featuring Passion Pit. The album's fourth single, "Home," was released on 10 March 2015. On 24 March 2015, the final single of Adventure, "Nonsense," was released, featuring Mark Foster of Foster the People. On 27 March 2015, Adventure was released.[24] The album peaked at number 43 on the US Billboard 200[25] and at number one on the US Dance/Electronic Albums chart.[26]

In mid-2015, Leclercq embarked on his first headlining tour, Adventure Live, consisting of 22 stops in North America.[4][23] The tour ended on 9 May 2015. Leclercq further promoted his debut studio album on his Pixel Empire US Tour in early 2016, which ended on 21 February 2016.[27]

2016–2017: Shelter

[edit]
Main article: Shelter (Porter Robinson and Madeon song)

On 11 August 2016, Leclercq released with his close friend Porter Robinson a new track called "Shelter". Throughout 2016–2017, he toured the US and Europe alongside Porter Robinson on a live show they called the Shelter Live Tour. This back to back set contained tracks made by both artists, often mixed together between themselves. Throughout the tour both Madeon and Porter also would sing their own songs. Their last performance was on 23 April 2017 at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[28]

In August 2016, the new gameplay trailer of EA Sports' FIFA 17 was released, featuring Madeon's remix of "Song 2" by Blur,[29] which was also featured in a BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix in 2012. Leclercq's collaboration with Porter Robinson, "Shelter", was included in the FIFA 17 soundtrack.

2018–23: Good Faith

[edit]
Main article: Good Faith (Madeon album)

On 13 November 2017, Leclercq announced that he would be releasing his next project in 2018.[30] Further hints about the project were not officially revealed until 20 August 2018, when Leclercq's creative director was interviewed via a Madeon-inspired podcast called the Pixel Empire Podcast.[31][32]

On 30 January 2018, Leclercq stated on his Instagram and Twitter that he had moved to the United States to finish his upcoming album. On 20 March 2019, Leclercq announced his new live show would debut on Lollapalooza 2019. He stated this would not be a DJ set but rather a new live show; fans will be expecting new music.[33]

Later that year, on 28 May 2019, Leclercq announced that he would be releasing a new song on 29 May 2019 through a new website, goodfaith.world. On 29 May 2019, the goodfaith.world website was updated with a video[34] previewing the new song, titled "All My Friends", along with locations of record stores in four cities: Los Angeles, New York, Ålesund, and Nantes. Each record store was issued two copies of the new single on clear 7" vinyl. On 30 May 2019, the full official audio was released on YouTube.[35]

On 10 July 2019, Leclercq premiered the first episode of Good Faith Radio (Beats Radio on Apple Music), where he officially played and released his next single, "Dream Dream Dream".[36] Along with the single, he played tracks by other artists, including some sent by his own fans accompanied by fan-made art.[37] He described the radio show as "...a space I want us to share, I want to introduce you to my favorite things and showcase some of the amazing music and art you create."[38] Along with the radio premiere, it was released on music streaming platforms and a visualizer video was released on YouTube.[39]

The Good Faith Live tour was premiered at Lollapalooza 2019,[40] followed by headlining shows in London, Amsterdam, and Paris. A longer North American leg started on 30 October in Vancouver and ended on 14 December in Austin, followed by an Australian tour as part of FOMO Festival in January 2020.

On 29 October 2019, Leclercq revealed that Good Faith would be released on 15 November 2019. In an interview with NPR Music, Leclercq said the album was based on his relationship to joy and his mental health: "I wanted to make music that was celebratory but that hinted at the fact that that joy had to have been reclaimed and fought for a little bit."[41]

Madeon worked again with Lady Gaga on the track "911" from her 2020 studio album, Chromatica.[42]

On 9 May 2020, Madeon played a DJ set for the virtual Secret Sky music festival. During the set, he previewed a song called "The Prince".[43] The song was released on 14 August that year. Along with the release, Madeon launched an alternate reality game. When it was solved, a 6-track EP named 12122017 was found, reportedly named for the date it was made.[44][45] However, after an email correspondence with Leclercq, he revealed that the EP was produced on 6 December 2017.[46] The creation of the EP is attributed to Madeon's own anger due to "not feeling anything from music",[45] and has referred to the EP as a document that serves as context to the Good Faith album instead of an EP.

On 18 September 2021, Madeon premiered Good Faith Forever, an expanded and updated version of the original tour show, at Second Sky music festival in Oakland, California.[47] Madeon released the track "Love You Back" on 27 April 2022, after a teaser at his Coachella 2022 set.[48] The next year, "Gonna Be Good" released on 22nd June as the final single for the era,[49] followed by the final Good Faith Forever shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Shrine Auditorium in November.[50][51]

2024–present: Gap year and Victory

[edit]

Madeon released a handful of collaborative singles across 2024, including "All Ur Luv" with Wavedash and Toro y Moi,[52] and "Believe It" with Louis The Child,[53] while also providing songwriting and production to "Kiss Me Right", a bonus track from Keshi's Requiem album.[54][55]

On 24th March 2025, Madeon announced a show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre slated for that October, where he would unveil his next album and live show concept.[56] On 26th September, he released the project's lead single "Hi!" following a listening installation in Los Angeles.[57] On 2nd October, he revealed the album title, Victory, and debuted the corresponding Victory Live show at Red Rocks the next day.[58]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Madeon discography

Albums

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2021 Grammy Award Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album Good Faith Nominated [6]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Madeon

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Madeon (born Hugo Pierre Leclercq; May 30, 1994) is a French electronic music producer, DJ, singer, and songwriter from , specializing in , , and EDM genres. He rose to prominence as a teenager in 2011 with the viral mashup "Pop Culture," which blended 39 pop songs into a seamless track and garnered millions of views. In 2012, he released his debut single "" on Popcultur (distributed by ), establishing his signature upbeat, melodic sound in the scene. Leclercq signed with and released his debut studio , Adventure, in 2015, featuring collaborations with artists including members of and , and peaking at number 30 on the . The showcased his production skills and live performance innovations, including the interactive "Adventure Machine" tool allowing fans to create custom mixes from its samples. In 2016, he co-wrote and performed the anime-inspired collaboration "Shelter" with fellow producer , which they supported with the immersive Shelter Live world tour, including a headline show at . Madeon's sophomore album, Good Faith, arrived in 2019, emphasizing themes of optimism and personal growth through vibrant electronic pop, and earning him his first Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Throughout his career, he has produced and remixed tracks for major artists such as Lady Gaga—opening for her on the 2012 Born This Way Ball tour—and Coldplay, while maintaining a focus on innovative live shows blending visuals, custom software, and full-band performances. In October 2025, he launched the Victory era with the single "Hi!" and a debut live performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, previewing material from his third studio album, Victory, and expanding his sound into more rock-influenced electronic territory.

Early life

Childhood in France

Hugo Pierre Leclercq was born on May 30, 1994, in , . Leclercq grew up in , a port city in western , during the and early 2000s. He spent his formative years living with his parents in the family home, maintaining a relatively private family life away from public scrutiny. At the age of 11, Leclercq began exploring music production, marking an early transition in his creative pursuits.

Introduction to music production

Hugo Pierre Leclercq, known professionally as Madeon, began experimenting with music production at the age of 11, utilizing basic home computers and free or accessible software to create his initial compositions. Growing up in a supportive family environment in , , he recorded everyday sounds—such as tapping on his mother's dining table to generate drum loops—as a starting point for his creative process. Lacking formal training, Leclercq taught himself production techniques through online tutorials and trial-and-error experimentation, focusing on manipulating samples and building loops within digital audio workstations like and . His early efforts resulted in unpublished tracks produced under pseudonyms such as Wayne Mont and Deamon, reflecting his initial forays into hands-up and electronic styles before refining his approach. Around 2009–2010, Leclercq adopted the name Madeon, an of Deamon, marking a shift toward influences he discovered online. These formative years were heavily shaped by the music scene, particularly the innovative sounds of , whose use of vocoders and atmospheric effects ignited his curiosity about design.

Music career

Breakthrough and early releases (2011–2014)

In July 2011, at the age of 17, Madeon uploaded a video to titled "Pop Culture," a live mashup performed on a that seamlessly blended samples from 39 popular songs, including tracks by , , and . The video quickly went viral, amassing several million views within its first few days and drawing widespread attention from the electronic music community and industry executives. This breakthrough moment showcased Madeon's prodigious talent for live production and sampling, propelling him from online obscurity to international recognition. The success of "Pop Culture" led to Madeon signing a deal with , a label, in early 2012, shortly after his performance at (SXSW), where Columbia chairman reportedly signed him within hours. At just 17 years old, this contract marked his entry into the major label system, allowing him to release music under his own imprint, popCULTUR, distributed through Columbia. Madeon balanced this professional milestone with completing his education in France, often traveling between and for studio work. Madeon's early singles under Columbia highlighted his signature electro-house sound, blending upbeat synths with melodic hooks. His debut single, "Icarus," released in February , peaked at number 22 on the UK Singles Chart and number 2 on Beatport's overall chart, establishing him as a rising force in EDM. Follow-up releases included "Finale" in July , which reached number 35 on the UK Singles Chart and number 8 on the UK Dance Chart, and "The City" in August , debuting at number 74 on the UK Singles Chart and number 16 on the UK Dance Chart. These tracks, featured on the 2012 EP The City, demonstrated Madeon's evolution from mashups to original compositions, garnering radio play and festival bookings. Prior to his label deal, Madeon had already built a reputation through remixes shared on platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube. His first notable remix, for The Killers' "Smile Like You Mean It," was uploaded in January 2010 when he was 15, infusing the indie rock track with energetic electro elements. Subsequent remixes in 2011, such as those for deadmau5's "Raise Your Weapon" and Yelle's "Que Veux Tu," further amplified his profile, earning praise for their innovative layering and received official releases. By 2013, Madeon contributed production to Two Door Cinema Club's "Changing of the Seasons," blending indie rock with his electronic flair on the track from their EP of the same name. These early works solidified his versatility and laid the groundwork for his major-label output.

Adventure era (2015)

In 2014, Madeon, whose real name is Hugo Pierre Leclercq, signed with Columbia Records to develop his debut studio album, Adventure. The album was primarily recorded in Leclercq's home studio in Nantes, France, where he had worked for the previous decade, though additional sessions took place in professional facilities across Europe and the United States to incorporate guest vocalists and refine the production. Thematically, Adventure draws from nostalgic sources like late-1990s and early-2000s video game soundtracks, evoking pixelated exploration and wonder, while incorporating upbeat synth-pop elements reminiscent of 1980s influences channeled through modern electronic production. Adventure was released on March 31, 2015, via , marking Madeon's transition from viral remixes to a full-length project. The standard edition features 12 tracks, including highlights like "Pay No Mind," which pairs energetic electro-house beats with vocals from Passion Pit's , and the anthemic closer "," blending soaring synths with introspective lyrics about belonging. A deluxe edition, released simultaneously, expands the tracklist to 18 songs, adding bonus cuts such as "," an instrumental evoking triumphant flight; "Finale" featuring Foster the People's Mark Foster; and "The City," a shimmering tribute to urban nightlife. Critics praised for its vibrant, accessible electro-pop sound, highlighting Madeon's skill in crafting hooks that balance dancefloor energy with emotional depth. awarded it 7.8 out of 10, commending the album's versatility amid a crowded EDM landscape, while gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, noting its polished fusion of , synth-pop, and glitchy elements. Reviews emphasized the upbeat, exploratory vibe, with describing it as a "vividly kaleidoscopic " that transcends typical electronic fare. Promotion for Adventure included the official music video for "Pay No Mind," directed by Warren Fu and released in February 2015, which visualizes a surreal, animated journey through dreamlike landscapes to mirror the album's adventurous spirit. Madeon debuted material from the album at festivals, including a high-energy set at Coachella in April 2015, where he performed tracks like "You're On" and "Imperium" to enthusiastic crowds. The rollout extended to the "Adventure Live" tour, a North American headlining run starting in March 2015, featuring an immersive stage show with custom visuals and live instrumentation to bring the album's themes to life. Commercially, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart in April 2015, underscoring Madeon's rising prominence in the genre, and peaked at No. 43 on the , driven by strong digital sales and streaming.

Shelter collaboration (2016–2017)

Madeon and first connected in 2006 on an online music production forum, with Madeon at age 12 and Robinson at 14, despite living on opposite sides of the Atlantic—Madeon in and Robinson in the United States. Their early interactions evolved into informal collaborations under pseudonyms around 2009–2010, laying the groundwork for a long-term creative friendship rooted in shared admiration for electronic music production. By 2012, the two met in person for the first time, which deepened their bond and set the stage for future joint projects. In 2016, they announced their first official collaboration, the single "," which they co-wrote and produced together during an in-person session at Madeon's home in , marking a culmination of their decade-long rapport. "Shelter" was released on August 11, 2016, through popcultur in partnership with , serving as the centerpiece of their joint endeavor. The track blends electro-pop elements with uplifting synths and emotive vocals, exploring themes of , isolation, and finding refuge amid chaos—themes that resonated deeply with their fans and influenced the project's expansion. In 2017, a Japan-exclusive compilation titled Shelter: The Complete Edition followed on Records International, featuring "Shelter" alongside select tracks from each artist's catalog, such as Robinson's "" and Madeon's "You're On," plus a remix of the , to provide a broader snapshot of their complementary styles. The anime-inspired visuals for "Shelter," drawing from Japanese aesthetics, underscored the motif, portraying a of as a sanctuary from harsh realities. The collaboration extended into a multimedia experience with an accompanying animated short film titled Shelter, produced by in association with and directed by Toshifumi Akai. Robinson contributed to the story concept, centering on a teenage girl named Rin trapped in simulated worlds, which premiered in at the Shibuya MODI theater on October 19, 2016, before its global debut the following day. The six-minute film synchronized the track's extended version with vibrant, futuristic , enhancing the song's emotional depth and earning praise for bridging electronic music with storytelling. This visual component not only amplified the release's impact but also highlighted the duo's ambition to create immersive, narrative-driven art beyond traditional audio formats. To promote the project, Madeon and Robinson launched the Shelter Live Tour on September 29, 2016, in Atlanta, Georgia, performing back-to-back sets across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia until its conclusion on April 23, 2017, in Melbourne. The shows featured synchronized LED visuals and custom lighting that integrated elements from the animated film, creating a cohesive, immersive environment where the artists alternated tracks from their discographies while collaborating on "Shelter" as a highlight. The tour included festival appearances, such as a set at Coachella in April 2017 and Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas in May 2017, where the duo's chemistry and high-energy performances drew widespread acclaim for redefining collaborative live electronic shows. Following its release, "" achieved commercial success, peaking at number 16 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart in September 2016 and reaching number 64 on Japan's Hot 100. The track's performance underscored the collaboration's resonance within the electronic music scene, while the project's innovative fusion of music, , and live performance left a lasting influence on artist collaborations in the genre.

Good Faith era (2018–2019)

Following the success of his collaboration on , Madeon returned to solo work with his sophomore album Good Faith, which he self-produced and released under an exclusive license to on November 15, 2019. The album was recorded primarily at Madeon's Architects HQ studio across multiple locations, including , , where he integrated live instrumentation during the production process to emphasize organic, band-like dynamics. This approach marked a maturation in his sound, blending with elements and focusing on themes of , personal growth, and navigating life's highs and lows, as Madeon drew from his own experiences of adulthood and . Key tracks like "All My Friends" and "Dream Dream Dream" exemplify these themes, with the former exploring the euphoria and isolation of youth through anthemic choruses and the latter evoking aspirational wonder via layered vocals and uplifting builds. The album's promotion began in 2018 with early singles such as "Be Fine" (released October 16, , featuring Callie Day) and "My Friends" (an early iteration leading into "All My Friends," released May 31, ), building anticipation through a gradual rollout that highlighted Madeon's evolved pop sensibilities. A notable promotional element was the "Good Faith Forever" video series, showcasing live rehearsal footage and immersive visuals tied to the album's aesthetic. The Live tour launched in 2019 to support the album, featuring a full live band setup alongside Madeon on stage, massive LED screens for dynamic visuals, and a emphasis on reimagined tracks performed in a format—elements informed briefly by the collaborative live experimentation from the project. The tour spanned and , with standout performances at venues like the Shrine Auditorium in [Los Angeles](/page/Los Angeles) and , debuting the production's scale in August 2019. However, the 2019–2020 itinerary faced significant disruptions from the , with all dates after January 2020 postponed or canceled. Critically, received praise centered on its emotional depth and Madeon's growth as a songwriter, creating a more introspective and cohesive narrative compared to his debut. Reviewers highlighted the album's raw vulnerability and polished production, positioning it as a pivotal evolution in Madeon's catalog that resonated with fans through its blend of joy and introspection.

Hiatus and sporadic activity (2020–2024)

Following the release of his second studio album in 2019, which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album, Madeon entered a period of reduced public activity influenced by the global . The ongoing Good Faith Live tour, which had launched successfully in late 2019, saw all remaining dates after January 2020 canceled due to pandemic restrictions, forcing a shift from live performances to digital formats. In May 2020, Madeon adapted by delivering a DJ set for Porter Robinson's virtual Secret Sky festival, where he previewed unreleased material including the track "," which was later released as a standalone single that October. This online performance highlighted his pivot to virtual engagement amid widespread tour disruptions affecting the electronic music scene. During this hiatus, Madeon adopted a deliberate approach of limited output, releasing or contributing to roughly one major track annually while focusing on behind-the-scenes development. In 2021, he produced "beside you" for singer keshi, marking his first significant collaboration post-Good Faith and showcasing a more introspective, R&B-infused production style. The following year, 2022, saw the release of "Love You Back," a euphoric house track teased during his Coachella set and issued as a single in April, which he described as a joyful experiment amid his recovery from creative fatigue. No original solo material emerged in 2023, aligning with his emphasis on selective releases to avoid overextension, though he maintained visibility through festival appearances like Coachella and a guest spot during Porter Robinson's set. Madeon's sparse activity extended to select live events and collaborations in 2024, including a back-to-back DJ set with at in on March 23, blending their signature uplifting electronic sounds for a high-energy crowd. That February, he contributed to the collaborative single "All Ur Luv" with Wavedash and , a funky, genre-blending track from Wavedash's upcoming mixtape Tempo, premiered via on where Madeon discussed experimenting with live instrumentation to refresh his creative process. In December 2023, Madeon announced a "" for 2024, stepping back from touring to prioritize writing his and designing a new live show, citing the need for artistic renewal after years of intense production and performance demands. Throughout this period, Madeon shared reflections on burnout in interviews, emphasizing the toll of constant output and the value of pauses for recharge. In discussions around his collaborations, he highlighted shifting directions toward bolder, riskier sounds to combat creative stagnation, as explored in his premiere for "All Ur Luv." Additionally, his production work extended to keshi's 2025 Requiem (Deluxe) album, where he co-wrote and produced tracks like "Kiss Me Right," with sessions beginning during the hiatus to allow focused experimentation outside solo pressures. This phase underscored Madeon's intentional slowdown, prioritizing sustainability over volume in a post-pandemic landscape.

Next Era return (2025)

In early 2025, Madeon teased the start of his "Next Era," later revealed as "Victory," with a headline performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on October 3, 2025, where he debuted immersive visuals, a live band setup, and several unreleased tracks including "Car Crash Baby" and "Fire Away." The show, titled "Victory Live," featured a custom production blending electronic elements with rock-infused energy, marking a bolder evolution from his previous Good Faith tour aesthetics, as hinted in a July 2025 Apple Music interview where he discussed embracing a daring sonic shift toward angst and intensity. Preceding the Red Rocks event, Madeon released his single "Hi!" on September 26, 2025, via , signaling an upbeat yet snarling electro-pop return characterized by punk-infused and a departure from his earlier pastel dreamscapes. The track's official , released concurrently, depicted dramatic, high-energy visuals that aligned with the "" theme, and it received its live debut at Red Rocks, where it opened the set and garnered immediate fan acclaim for its raw energy. By early November, "Hi!" had amassed over 950,000 views, contributing to buzz around Madeon's refreshed sound. Building on the Red Rocks momentum, Madeon made additional appearances, including a set at the Vision & Colour Festival in Zhuhai, China, on October 26, 2025, where he performed "Hi!" alongside classics like "Icarus" and "Pay No Mind," further showcasing the "Victory" production elements. Throughout the year, his social media channels amplified hype for an upcoming full-length album, expected in late 2025 or early 2026, with posts emphasizing a thematic focus on rage, self-reflection, and ego-death. Early reception highlighted the era's innovative live innovations and potential chart impact, with critics noting the single's role in reestablishing Madeon as a boundary-pusher in electronic music. This return followed a preparatory gap year in 2024, allowing him to refine the bolder direction. On November 10, 2025, Madeon announced that "Car Crash Baby," previewed at Red Rocks, would be released as the next single the following Friday.

Artistic style and influences

Musical genres and evolution

Madeon's music is characterized by a fusion of electro-pop, French house, and synthwave elements, drawing from electronic dance traditions while emphasizing melodic structures over conventional build-ups and drops. His early productions, beginning around 2011, leaned heavily into mashup-style electro house with vibrant, sample-driven arrangements that evoked the playful energy of French house pioneers. Over time, his sound evolved toward more polished electro-pop, incorporating lush synth layers and band-like instrumentation by 2019, as seen in the synth-pop leanings of his album Good Faith. By 2025, hints of experimentation emerged in his "Victory" era, blending electronic punk aesthetics with bolder, narrative-driven compositions that challenge traditional EDM formulas. In November 2025, Madeon unveiled the teaser "Car Crash Baby," featuring hypnotic, introspective elements that further exemplify the era's evolving style. Key influences on Madeon's style include , whose French house innovations shaped his foundational electronic approach, and , reflected in sampled vocal hooks that add pop accessibility to his tracks. Early works also incorporated 8-bit aesthetics reminiscent of soundtracks, infusing chiptune-like nostalgia into his upbeat electronic palette. Post-2016, his music shifted toward emotional, narrative-driven expressions, prioritizing introspective themes over pure dancefloor energy. Thematically, Madeon's oeuvre maintains consistency in motifs of and joy, often portraying as a vital yet fragile force that adapts to live performance demands for communal uplift. Critics have praised this approach for its accessibility within EDM, highlighting how his melody-focused structures—avoiding aggressive drops in favor of soaring, hook-laden progressions—bridge electronic experimentation with broad pop appeal.

Production techniques and equipment

Madeon primarily utilizes as his (DAW) for music and sample layering, praising its advanced pattern-based workflow and efficiency in handling complex compositions. In his early career, he relied on basic recording methods, such as capturing percussive sounds from household objects like dining tables to create drum loops, before incorporating more sophisticated tools. For initial hardware integration, Madeon employed the to trigger and sequence samples in real-time, as demonstrated in his breakthrough mashup "Pop Culture," which layered 39 tracks using this setup. His production techniques evolved from heavy reliance on mashup sampling—manually chopping and rearranging acapellas, melodies, and beats from existing tracks—to crafting original compositions centered on melodic structures rather than bass-dominated drops typical of EDM. He employs automation extensively for dynamic builds, applying it to parameters like pitch, volume, and filter cutoffs to create evolving textures and tension-release cycles that emphasize emotional progression. Post-2018, Madeon incorporated live instruments to achieve a more organic feel, recording drums, guitars, pianos, and choirs during the creation of his album Good Faith to blend acoustic elements with electronic synthesis, reducing dependence on purely digital sounds. In terms of equipment, Madeon favors software synthesizers and effects plugins over hardware, using tools like for processing synth leads and Sytrus for bass design to maintain portability and precision in his workflow. Custom controllers, including variations of the Launchpad series, remain integral for live layering, allowing seamless transitions between pre-arranged elements. For innovations, his live shows feature custom visuals tightly synced to production elements, developed in collaboration with architects and programmers to create immersive, reactive environments that mirror the music's dynamics, as seen in the " Forever" tour.

Discography

Studio albums

Madeon's debut studio album, , was released on March 30, 2015, by . The 12-track project marked his transition from viral remixes and EPs to a full-length exploration of electronic pop, blending , , and vocal collaborations with artists like and . Its themes center on personal discovery and imaginative journeys, reflecting the youthful wonder of sonic experimentation. His sophomore effort, , arrived on November 15, 2019, released by . Comprising 10 tracks, the album shifts toward warmer, disco-infused sounds with guest vocals from artists including and Ollie Wride, emphasizing themes of friendship, optimism, and the vibrancy of live performance. This release showcased an evolution in Madeon's style, prioritizing emotional connectivity and dancefloor euphoria over the debut's more introspective electronic landscapes. As of November 2025, Madeon has teased a third studio album for release in 2025 or 2026, building on the Victory era launched with his October 3, 2025, performance at and the preceding single "Hi!" from September 26, 2025. No official title or tracklist has been announced yet, though additional material has been previewed in live shows. Note that the 2016 project is excluded from his solo studio discography, as it is a collaborative album with .

Singles and EPs

Madeon's early career was marked by a series of standalone singles that showcased his signature blend of electro-house and pop elements. His debut single, "," was released on February 24, 2012, as a digital download through Popcultur, featuring an instrumental track with soaring synths and a limited-edition 12-inch vinyl pressing. The track gained traction in the electronic music scene for its energetic build-ups and was later included in the deluxe edition of his debut . Following this, "The City" arrived on August 27, 2012, also via Popcultur, with uncredited vocals from Zak Waters and Cass Lowe, emphasizing themes of through its uplifting melody and driving beat. This single served as the lead for his first EP and highlighted Madeon's ability to craft accessible, anthemic dance tracks. The City EP, released on October 8, 2012, expanded on the single with an extended mix, instrumental version, and remixes by artists such as and Keys N Krates, compiling five tracks that solidified his rising profile in the EDM community. In 2013, Madeon previewed material leading into his album era, though "Pay No Mind" featuring was formally released as a single on February 9, 2015, via , blending vocals from with Madeon's crisp production. The track, with its nostalgic lyrics and pulsating synths, became a fan favorite and was promoted through a kaleidoscopic . A pivotal collaborative release came in 2016 with "Shelter," co-produced and co-written with and released via Skies Commissioning on August 11. The track, featuring AI-generated visuals in its short film, peaked at number 16 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and amassed over 200 million streams, marking Madeon's first major crossover hit. Its emotional electronic style and orchestral elements resonated widely, earning nominations for Electronic Music Awards. In 2019, "All My Friends," released on May 31 via Columbia as the lead single from his second album, featured vocals from and topped the US Dance Radio chart after strong festival performances. The song's disco-infused groove and themes of youthful connection contributed to its viral success on platforms like . Madeon's sporadic releases in the 2020s included production credits on non-Madeon-led tracks, such as co-producing Lady Gaga's "911" from her 2020 album Chromatica, where he contributed guitar, keyboards, and additional production alongside BloodPop. The Adventure deluxe edition, reissued in 2015 and later on vinyl, bundled several pre-album singles as non-LP tracks, including "Icarus," "Finale" (2012), "The City," "Cut the Kid" (2013), and "Technicolor" (2012), providing a comprehensive early discography overview. In 2025, Madeon returned with "Hi!," released on September 26 via Mom+Pop Music, shifting to a punk-infused electronic sound that garnered over 950,000 YouTube views in its first month and strong early streaming numbers on platforms like SoundCloud. This single heralded a new era, with live debuts at events like Red Rocks, emphasizing raw energy and band-driven performance.

Recognition

Awards and nominations

Madeon has received several nominations from prominent music award ceremonies, though he has not secured any major wins as of 2025. His most notable recognition came from the , where his 2019 album was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album at the in 2021. This nomination highlighted the album's innovative blend of electronic pop and live instrumentation, placing it alongside works by artists such as Arca, , Disclosure, and . In 2017, Madeon earned two nominations at the inaugural Electronic Music Awards alongside Porter Robinson for their collaborative single "Shelter." The track was nominated in the Single of the Year category, competing with releases like Martin Garrix and Dua Lipa's "Scared to Be Lonely," while the duo's live performances were recognized in the Live Act of the Year category. These nods underscored the impact of "Shelter," which originated as the theme for the anime film Summer Wars and evolved into a major electronic music event with a dedicated live tour. Earlier in his career, Madeon gained visibility through his performance as a DJ at the 2012 in , , where he entertained crowds ahead of the main ceremony hosted by . Although his breakthrough single "" from that year received attention in electronic music circles, it did not result in a formal nomination at the event. In September 2025, Madeon released the single "Hi!," marking his return after a period of sporadic activity and positioning it for potential eligibility at the 68th Annual in 2026, which cover releases from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. As of November 2025, no further nominations have been announced for this or any upcoming projects.

Rankings and

Madeon's debut album Adventure (2015) received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its versatility and energetic production within the electronic music landscape. Pitchfork described it as a "strikingly versatile collection" that stood out amid a crowded field of underwhelming releases, highlighting Madeon's ability to blend pop sensibilities with expansive synth work. Similarly, SPIN commended the album for recapturing the "all-or-nothing intensity of teen-dom" through fresh perspectives on adolescence and emotion, noting its immediate appeal. Aggregate scores reflected this acclaim, with Album of the Year reporting a critic average of 67/100 based on six reviews and a user score of 72/100 from over 1,200 ratings. His sophomore effort (2019) built on this foundation and garnered slightly stronger critical consensus, often viewed as a maturation in and vocal integration. Critics noted its evolution toward richer synth layers and collaborative elements, positioning it as an improvement over . NPR highlighted the album's opening track as evoking a "gospel music for a new generation," emphasizing its tonal innovation and emotional depth. Album of the Year aggregated a critic score of 70/100 from three reviews and a user score of 77/100 from 758 ratings, underscoring its broader appeal in circles. appreciated its catchy melodies and funky basslines, though some tracks were critiqued for deceptive simplicity masking deeper sensuality. In rankings, Madeon has appeared in DJ Mag's annual Top 100 DJs poll, reflecting his influence in the electronic scene. He placed 59th in 2013, recognizing his early breakout with tracks like "Pop Culture," and 83rd in 2014 amid rising visibility. By 2017, he ranked 105th, aligning with his growing focus on live performances and album production. Madeon's 2025 return with the "Victory" era, kicked off by the single "Hi!" on September 26, has been met with enthusiastic early reception for its bold shift toward dance-punk and synth-punk influences. EDM.com called it a "stunning departure" with "manic energy" and snarling paranoia in lyrics about relationships, marking a raw evolution from prior pastel aesthetics. CULTR praised it as a "refreshing, interesting new take," crediting Madeon's pioneering sound design. Rate Your Music users rated it 3.66/5 from 166 votes, ranking it #233 for the year and noting its blown-out, fun production as a grower. The era's live debut at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on October 3 drew acclaim for its immersive, conflict-driven performance, previewing the upcoming Victory album as a darker, guitar-infused extension of his discography.

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