Album Review: Angine de Poitrine - "Vol. II"

The explosive, wacky, and mysterious duo known as Angine de Poitrine are back with a second album. Capitalizing on their recent successes, Vol. II is a bubbly, thrilling collection of complex musicianship, absurdities, and playfulness.

Angine de Poitrine - 2026

Who would've guessed that two anonymous Canadian musicians with painted polka dots all over their bodies and papier-mâché masks would amass a cult following in 2026? Not me, exactly, but the mysterious duo known as Angine de Poitrine have managed to make this happen. Originating in Quebec in 2019, the two named their project after the French term for "strangling at the chest" and decided to initially dress up in these wacky, anonymous outfits due to being accidentally booked twice at a gig. The two, known as Kln de Poitrine on a double necked hybrid guitar and Klek de Poitrine on drums (who kind of looks like Squidward's cousin), make instrumental, chaotic music that contains math rock, prog, noise, all with a nervy and punchy energy. They released Vol. 1 in 2023 and the new follow up, Vol. II, earlier this year. And thanks to the internet, the two have feverishly gone viral across the digital globe and have gotten various listeners interested in their music, look, live performances and overall themes within their project. Shows are selling out, vinyl pressings are limited, and people can't stop talking about those big noses, polka dot patterns, and weird alien-like noises coming out of their "mouths."

Vol. II is like Vol. 1, but more frantic, fun, and catchy. At thirty-six minutes and six tracks, Vol. II is a bubbly, thrilling collection of complex musicianship, absurdities, and playfulness. It's literally another helping of the zaniness that Vol. 1 brought and I don't see any issue with this whatsoever. "Fabienk" is jittery and nervy with its prickly drumming and guitar work, which builds into a groovy funk that moves and bustles like something Daft Punk would make if they picked up math rock instead of electronica. "Mata Zyklek" is fiery and rages with a forceful groove and bassline that punches you in the gut. The memorable "Sarniezz" highlights what the duo does best with infectiously catchy grooves, hypnotic performances, and something you can't help but tap your foot too. "Utzp" sounds like wacky, carnival music for all the arthouse weirdos out there. "Yor Zarad" has a razor sharp edge with its tight performance and has some wild noodling throughout the tune. "Angor" starts out with a distinct groove and sleigh bell, something like Battles' iconic "Atlas," and keeps getting more and more intense until its awesome finale.

Sure, there's the wacky costumes, weird lore, and goofy performances, but don't let Angine de Poitrine distract you from the excellent performances and the super impressive and tight musicianship. The two have supposedly been performing together for more then twenty years and it shows. They're only getting larger with each passing minute and I'm sure Vol. III will be on the way soon, once their upcoming tour winds down. If the wacky costumes and body paint lead to more people discovering experimental math rock, then so be it. It makes me more than thrilled that a weird ass group like Angine de Poitrine are getting an ample amount of attention and success and Vol. II proves more than anything that the hype is genuine and legitimate.

My Rating: 8 / 10

Favorite Songs: "Sarniezz," "Fabienk," "Yor Zarad," "Angor"