Margot Zoé, the rising star from Metz, France, delivers an enchanting and introspective musical journey with her debut concept album, Elevation, scheduled for release on December 5th, 2025. At just 28, Margot has already carved a distinct niche in the contemporary jazz scene, blending modern jazz with European folk influences, cinematic textures, and poetic storytelling. Trained at the Conservatoire of Metz under Valérie Graschaire and Pierre-Alain Goualch, she earned her DEM in jazz in 2022, grounding her technical mastery in a foundation of expressive and imaginative performance. Her music reflects not only her technical skill but also a deeply personal narrative, shaped by life experiences including her departure from a religious community, which imbued her art with resilience, sensitivity, and a pursuit of freedom.

Elevation is a concept album inspired by Richard Adams’ beloved novel Watership Down, transforming the story of the rabbits’ journey into a modern musical exploration of freedom, survival, friendship, and the search for sanctuary. The album comprises 11 original compositions alongside two poems from the novel set to music for the first time, creating a cohesive and immersive narrative. Through this work, Margot Zoé demonstrates her ability to fuse storytelling with sonic innovation, constructing a soundscape that is both accessible and profoundly evocative. The album promises to guide listeners through a spectrum of emotions, from quiet introspection to jubilant, dance-like passages, reflecting the rabbits’ own struggles and triumphs.

The first single, also titled “Elevation,” offers a glimpse into Margot’s visionary approach. Opening with a slow, atmospheric build, the track ascends emotionally and sonically, incorporating Celtic and cinematic jazz accents before transitioning into a maloya-inspired finale—a vibrant, rhythmically engaging climax. Central to the piece is the integration of a poem from Watership Down, first delivered with intense vocal expression and then expanded into a luminous, improvisational solo. This fusion of literary content with musical improvisation underscores Margot’s strength as both a storyteller and a musician, transforming the text into a living, breathing musical incantation. The single was mixed by Grammy-winning engineer John Davis and mastered by Alex DeTurk, ensuring a polished yet emotionally resonant sound that supports the album’s cinematic and narrative ambitions.

Margot Zoé surrounds herself with talented collaborators, creating a collective and deeply human writing process that enhances the album’s richness. The fusion of jazz, folk, and cinematic textures, paired with her soulful and luminous voice, produces a listening experience that is as intellectually engaging as it is emotionally compelling. Her music invites reflection on human connection, survival, and the pursuit of freedom, mirroring the themes of the novel while establishing her as a distinct voice in contemporary European jazz.

In Elevation, Margot Zoé succeeds in offering a debut album that is both ambitious and accessible, blending technical prowess, narrative depth, and emotional authenticity. This is a musical journey that transcends boundaries, a poetic and cinematic exploration of life, survival, and the bonds that define us—an album that promises to resonate with listeners long after the final note fades.

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