Angine De Poitrine "Vol.II" (2026)

Striking while the iron is hot, French Canadian duo Angine De Poitrine drop another six Math Rock, Microtonal jams to sway you under their peculiar spell. Although not much has changed to the structure and composition of their loop pedal driven drones, a noticeable elevation in magnetism pervades as these musicians refine their craft.

Most noticeable, thick driving baselines that power these numbers rattle with texture. They lock in with the occasionally intricate and often animated drums, ramping up intensity as the guitar layers stack. Utzp infuses some Eastern Polka-like vibes with its pacey staccato guitar jabs. Apart from that stylistic distinction, its business as usual.

The eventual swell still yields the most gratification, their formula seemingly unable to wrangle much else out of the loop pedals. Opener, Fabienk is by far their best song. Its two halves quell the droning as a midpoint reset sways past their alien voices into the grooviest assemble yet. Groove being key elevation felt across this brief record.

Rating: 5/10

Angine De Poitrine "Vol.1" (2024)

Currently riding a wave of hype, Angine De Poitrine splay shock and awe, exposing a young generation to microtonal music and a helping of rhythmic rebellion. Its nice to see people get excited, they deserve as much. The anonymous personas, alien voicings and bizarre cosmetics add to the mystique yet I find myself not as enthralled by this unusual end result. As a duo operating through loop pedal compositions, the musicianship is mightily impressive yet hounds these songs into repetitious drones of cyclical noodling. Quirky melodies, jumpy rhythms, angulating riffs and psychedelic looping. Each song arms itself steadily, layering up, building upon one another.

More often than not, the most gratifying strides arrive in the densest, loaded instances of these droning drives, yet the journey too and beyond can be a touch maddening. Its the nature of the loop pedal composition wearing one down as the novelty of its between note licks and odd grooves hammer on. I much preferred the KEXP live shows. Seeing it in action adds an impressive aura, the double guitar and pedal manipulation in action exposes how much magic is extracted from this pair. The talented duo of Angine De Poitrine are a class act but not quite my cup of tea. Their music sits firmly in the realm of novelty. A fun exercise in creativity and rejecting norms but not much in the way of a deep connection is formed through the entertainment. And I definitely was entertained!

Rating: 4/10