Angine de Poitrine

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Angine de Poitrine
Angine de Poitrine in 2026
Angine de Poitrine in 2026
Background information
OriginSaguenay, Quebec, Canada
Genres
Years active2019 (2019)–present
Labels
  • Les Cassettes Magiques
  • Spectacles Bonzaï
  • ATO
AwardGAMIQ Artist of the Year 2025
Members
  • Khn de Poitrine
  • Klek de Poitrine
Websiteanginedepoitrine.com

Angine de Poitrine (Canadian French: [ãʒɪn də pwatʁɪn] [a]) is a Canadian rock duo formed in Saguenay, Quebec, in 2019. Its anonymous members perform under the pseudonyms Khn de Poitrine (guitar, bass) and Klek de Poitrine (drums). They are known for complex microtonal compositions in the style of math rock and experimental rock, and an absurdist image, with oversized papier-mâché masks and black-and-white polka-dotted costumes.

Angine de Poitrine conceived the disguises to retain audiences across back-to-back sets at a local venue. Following their debut album, Vol. 1 (2024), they gained notice on the Quebec festival circuit and won Artist of the Year at the 2025 GAMIQ awards. They achieved viral recognition in February 2026 when a live session recorded for the US radio station KEXP accumulated millions of views. It was followed by their second album, Vol. II (2026), and international tours.

History

Origins (2019–2023)

Klek de Poitrine in concert in 2026

Angine de Poitrine formed in Saguenay, Quebec, in 2019.[2][3] The group's name is the French term for angina pectoris ("angina [lit. strangling] of the chest"), and was initially suggested as a joke; this later became a reflection of the band's sound, characterized by the members as "dissonance-induced cardiac malfunction", and conveying a "sense of urgency" in their music.[4][5] The duo performs anonymously as guitarist Khn de Poitrine and drummer Klek de Poitrine;[6] the two are from La Baie borough[7][8] and have been musical collaborators for two decades, having performed together in various projects since the age of 13.[3][9]

The project began as a gag after the pair were booked to perform twice in one week at the same local Saguenay venue; concerned that audiences would not attend the second show, they decided to play the latter set as anonymous, costumed performers under a different name.[3][10] To complete what the duo later likened to an "Andy Kaufman-esque joke", they constructed oversized papier-mâché masks with giant noses and full-body black-and-white polka-dotted costumes.[3][5] During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, with live opportunities limited, the members took up construction jobs.[3]

Vol. 1, breakthrough and Vol. II (2024–present)

Khn de Poitrine in concert in April 2026

On 14 June 2024, Angine de Poitrine released their debut album, Vol. 1.[11] Throughout 2025, the duo attracted increasing attention on the Quebec festival circuit, including appearances at Le Festif!, M for Montreal, the Montreal Jazz Festival and Pop Montreal.[9][12][13] In December 2025, the duo won "Artist of the Year" at the 20th annual GAMIQ awards.[14] That same month, they performed at Trans Musicales in Rennes, France; footage from the set was later released by Seattle radio station KEXP on 5 February 2026.[9][12] The video became an immediate viral success, accumulating over two million views within its first week of release,[13] and over 16 million views as of June 2026.[15] The band released their second studio album, Vol. II, on 3 April 2026.[16]

In March 2026, Angine de Poitrine made an appearance on the popular Quebec talk show Tout le monde en parle, which averages nearly one million viewers.[13][1] During an interview for the Logan Sounds Off podcast, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl praised the band, saying they "absolutely blew [his] mind" and describing them as "completely bonkers."[17][18] Sean Lennon commented on them via his Twitter account, stating: "I have never seen a weird instrumental band go viral like Angine de Poitrine. I've never seen anything like it. It's totally wild. For the last three months, everyone I know has sent me their video at least once."[19]

Following the viral success of their KEXP session, Angine de Poitrine embarked on an international tour in support of the album. The 2026 tour began on 28 March at the Tremor Festival in the Azores, Portugal, preceding a sold-out April and May leg across Quebec.[6][20] In April, the duo secured physical media distribution rights outside of Quebec, with ATO Records releasing their music in the United States, F>A>B in the rest of Canada, and Republic of Music in Europe.[21]

Artistry

Angine de Poitrine's musical style has been described as math rock[6][22] and experimental rock,[10][23] with additional influences from microtonal music[5][9] and progressive rock.[24][25] The group describes itself as a "mantra-rock Dada Pythago-Cubist orchestra" composed of "space-time voyagers", reflecting their fusion of technical complexity, hypnotic repetition, and absurdist aesthetics.[4][5][24] The band has cited a wide range of musical influences, with individual artists including King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard,[3][26] Frank Zappa,[26] Leo Brouwer,[26] John Scofield,[26] and Gentle Giant.[27]

Ha! Ha! Pyramid in Saguenay, Quebec

The band employs complex rhythms, and largely instrumental compositions. Their live performances feature the musicians performing in oversized papier-mâché masks with proboscis monkey-like noses alongside black and white polka dot stylized costumes and staging.[28][16][2] The idea for using papier-mâché came from the duo's previous band, which would use the material to make large structures designed to be destroyed by the audience "like a huge-ass piñata", according to Klek.[29] The band's music includes vocals only sparsely, and the ones that are there are distorted and difficult to understand. In between songs during live performances they do not speak to the audience. Instead, they perform gestures to each other in a ritualistic manner – most notably forming a triangle shape with their hands, which the audience will often do in tandem.[16] The use of triangles and pyramids in their imagery may be inspired by the Ha! Ha! Pyramid in their home city of Saguenay, Quebec.[30][31]

In early performances, Khn de Poitrine played both a guitar and a bass simultaneously, using a modified guitar fitted with microtonal frets. In 2023, he commissioned a custom double-necked hybrid instrument consisting of a Fender-Stratocaster-like guitar and bass, separately wired, and each with additional microtonal frets [32][10] from Saguenay-based luthier Raphaël Le Breton. The project required more than three months of preparation and reportedly over 150 hours of craftsmanship to complete. The instrument includes oversized, phosphorescent fret markers on the side and top of the necks to compensate for Khn's impaired vision due to the mask. A second backup instrument for upcoming tours is planned.[33][34]

Reception

In March 2026, their appearance on the Quebec television program Tout le monde en parle generated significant media coverage and a strong reaction on social media, particularly due to their use of an invented language during the interview.[35] Several businesses, especially in the group's home region, adopted Angine de Poitrine's aesthetic in their social media posts following their appearance on the show.[36] The group members, who wish to remain anonymous, also noted a surge of interest online, with some seeking to discover their identities or contact them.[37]

On April 3, 2026, the New York Times critic Jon Pareles wrote: "Angine de Poitrine have taken the internet by storm this year… The group perfectly masters the power of rhythm, repetition, dissonance, surprise, and noise, and presents them in a whimsical package."[38] In a context marked by the rise of AI-generated music, favourable reviews highlight the duo's music as being perceived as distinctly human.[39][40] The journalist Emilie Hanskamp wrote: "As AI becomes more sophisticated and it becomes harder to distinguish between works created by humans and those that are not, people find immediate comfort and resonance in art that is undeniably human."[41]

Vol. II was longlisted for the 2026 Polaris Music Prize,[42] and the songs "Fabienk" and "Yor Zarad" were longlisted for the SOCAN Polaris Song Prize.[43]

Members

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak chart positions
CAN
[44]		 AUS
[45]		 GER
[46]		 NLD
[47]		 SWE
[48]		 UK
[49]		 US
[50]
Vol. 1
  • Released: 14 June 2024[11]
  • Label: Independent[51]
  • Format: LP, cassette, streaming, digital download
 —40438192353
Vol. II
  • Released: 3 April 2026[6]
  • Label: Spectacles Bonzaï (under exclusive licence)[51]
  • Format: LP, streaming, digital download
 1121331131944

Singles

Title Details
"Sherpa"
  • Released: 1 June 2024[52]
  • Label: self-released
  • Format: streaming, digital download
"Sherpa V. Alt" / "Sarniez V. Beta"
"Mata Zyklek"
  • Released: 28 November 2025[53]
  • Label: self-released
  • Format: streaming, digital download
"Fabienk"
  • Released: 5 February 2026[54]
  • Label: self-released
  • Format: streaming, digital download

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and director
Title Year Director(s)
"Sherpa" 2024 Fabien Peterson
"Sahardnieh"

Notes

References

  1. "Angine de poitrine". Tout le monde en parle (video) (in French). 9 March 2026. Event occurs at 56 seconds. Ici Télé.
    – recap version on programme's website: "Angine de poitrine : musique et costumes du Saguenay" [Angine de Poitrine: music and costumes from Saguenay] (in French). 8 March 2026. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  2. Larouche, Andréanne (1 February 2026). "Dans l'univers d'Angine de Poitrine" [Inside the world of Angine de Poitrine]. Ici Radio-Canada (in French). Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  3. Gheciu, Alex Nino (13 March 2026). "Quebec's masked band Angine de Poitrine is blowing up. Meet the men behind the noses". The Toronto Star. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 14 March 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  4. Hein, Ethan (30 March 2026). ""They describe themselves as a Mantra-Rock Dada Pythago-Cubist Orchestra, and the band name translates to 'angina of the chest'": The microtonal music theory behind viral math-rockers Angine de Poitrine". MusicRadar. Archived from the original on 31 March 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  5. Amorosi, A.D. (19 March 2026). "Angine de Poitrine Put the "Big" in Ambiguous". FLOOD Magazine. Archived from the original on 20 March 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  6. Chelosky, Danielle (17 March 2026). "Masked Microtonal Math Rock Duo Angine de Poitrine Announce New Album And First US Tour". Stereogum. Archived from the original on 18 March 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  7. Snapes, Laura (8 May 2026). "'We're not Lady Gaga and Elton John': unmasking Angine de Poitrine, the year's buzziest, dottiest band". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  8. Swann, Elizabeth (8 May 2026). ""We're not Lady Gaga. We're not Elton John. We're two random dudes." The story behind Angine de Poitrine, the viral masked microtonal duo". Guitar Player. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  9. Adams, Kelsey (10 March 2026). "Who is Angine de Poitrine? The masked Quebec band is taking the internet by storm". CBC Music. Archived from the original on 10 March 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  10. Laurence, Jean-Christophe (13 November 2025). "Les nouveaux extraterrestres du rock québécois" [The new extraterrestrials of Quebec rock]. La Presse (in French). Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  11. "Angine De Poitrine Vol. 1". Bandcamp. 14 June 2024.
  12. Rogers, Karlie (6 February 2026). "Angine de Poitrine Are on the Dot in New KEXP Performance". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 7 February 2026. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  13. Eqbal, Amelia (9 February 2026). "Angine de Poitrine: The viral, eclectic Quebec rock duo taking the world by storm". CBC Arts. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  14. Parazelli, Eric (2 December 2025). "GAMIQ 2025 : Angine de Poitrine, Artiste de l'année". SOCAN Magazine. Archived from the original on 3 December 2025. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  15. Weller, Phil (13 April 2026). "Angine de Poitrine, the viral math rock band, reveal that their microtonal approach started as an "inside joke"". Guitar World. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
  16. Pareles, Jon (3 April 2026). "With Polka Dots and Microtones, Angine de Poitrine Has Gone Viral". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 April 2026.
  17. Hudson, Alex (6 April 2026). "Dave Grohl Hops Aboard the Angine de Poitrine Bandwagon". Exclaim!. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  18. Pilley, Max (3 April 2026). "Dave Grohl says Angine de Poitrine "absolutely blew my fucking mind" and called them "so completely bonkers, dude"". NME. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  19. Lennon, Sean. "About Angine de Poitrine".
  20. Forrest, Maura (3 April 2026). "Why is Angine de Poitrine, Quebec's masked, math-rock band, blowing up". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  21. "Angine de Poitrine to Release Vol's I and II on Vinyl and CD Worldwide June 12". Glide. 9 April 2026. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
  22. Pearis, Bill (19 February 2026). "French-Canadian microtonal mathrock duo Angine de Poitrine playing first US shows in September". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  23. Mello-Klein, Cody (6 April 2026). "Why is Angine de Poitrine, a masked math rock band, going viral?". Northeastern Global News. Northeastern University. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  24. Weingarten, Christopher R. (3 April 2026). "Angine de Poitrine: Vol. II Album Review". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  25. Kilkenny, James (1 April 2026). "Angine De Poitrine – Vol. II". Clash. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  26. Darmana, Theo (September 2024). "Zine X MUSIQUE X QC" [Zine X MUSIC X QC] (PDF). GAMIQ Zine (in French). GAMIQ. pp. 18–19. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  27. Monty, Adele; Benabbou, Gabriel (20 February 2026). "Angine de Poitrine: A discussion with the infectious Quebec band". Noize Magazine. France. Retrieved 7 April 2026.
  28. Jetté, Elise (26 September 2025). "Angine de Poitrine, le plaisir de brouiller les pistes". Le Devoir (in French). Retrieved 18 February 2026.
  29. Snapes, Laura (8 May 2026). "'We're not Lady Gaga and Elton John': unmasking Angine de Poitrine, the year's buzziest, dottiest band". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 May 2026.
  30. Taylor, Tom (4 May 2026). "Angine de Poitrine's strange connection to a pyramid in Quebec". faroutmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  31. Taylor, Tom (1 April 2026). "Angine de Poitrine - 'Vol II' album review". faroutmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2026.
  32. Weller, Phil (19 March 2026). ""I added more frets with a saw." Angine de Poitrine built a microtonal double-neck guitar that "makes no sense." Now they're blowing up online". Guitar Player. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  33. Dean Wolfe [Prog dog] (16 April 2026). Quebec Luthier Who Built Angine de Poitrine's Double Neck Microtonal Guitar Raphaël Le Breton (ep84). Retrieved 1 June 2026 – via YouTube.
  34. Fournier, Alice (9 March 2026). "On a parlé au luthier qui a fabriqué la guitare à deux manches d'Angine de poitrine". 24 Heures (in French). Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  35. Bouffard, Caroline (14 March 2026). "Angine de Poitrine fascine!". Le Devoir (in French). Retrieved 15 May 2026.
  36. Gendron-Martin, Raphaël (13 March 2026). "Des commerces surfent sur le phénomène Angine de Poitrine". Journal de Montréal (in French). Retrieved 14 March 2026.
  37. Gheciu, Alex Nino (13 March 2026). "Les détectives du Web cherchent à savoir qui se cache derrière Angine de Poitrine". Le Devoir (in French). Retrieved 15 March 2026.
  38. Pareles, Jon (3 April 2026). "Who Is the Polka-Dot Band That Plays Virtuosic Rock? Angine de Poitrine". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 5 April 2026.
  39. Rioux, Charles (3 April 2026). "Angine de Poitrine, l'ovni musical qui fascine les experts". Radio-Canada (in French). Retrieved 18 April 2026.
  40. Adams, Kelsey (10 March 2026). "Who is Angine de Poitrine? The masked Quebec band is taking the internet by storm". CBC. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  41. McCabe, Kathy (10 April 2026). "How a masked Canadian duo became the viral anti-AI sensation rocking music". news.com.au. Retrieved 11 April 2026.
  42. Brasil, Sydney (11 June 2026). "Polaris Music Prize Shares 2026 Long List". Exclaim!.
  43. Natalie Harmsen, "2026 SOCAN Polaris Song Prize long list: Begonia, Cadence Weapon, Charlotte Day Wilson and more". CBC Music, June 24, 2026.
  44. "Billboard Canadian Albums: Week of April 18, 2026". Billboard. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
  45. Peaks in Australia:
  46. "Discographie von Angine de Poitrine". offiziellecharts.de (in German). Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  47. "Vol. II – Angine de Poitrine". dutchcharts.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  48. "Veckolista Album, vecka 25, 2026". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  49. "Angine de Poitrine songs and albums | full Official Chart history". Official Charts. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  50. "Billboard 200: Week of June 27, 2026". Billboard. Retrieved 23 June 2026.
  51. "Angine de poitrine". Spectacles Bonzaï (in French). Retrieved 28 April 2026.
  52. "Sherpa". Bandcamp. 1 June 2024.
  53. "Mata Zyklek". Bandcamp. 28 November 2025.
  54. "Fabienk". Bandcamp. 5 February 2026.