Review Summary: THEY’RE GROOVIN
I’m not well versed in the worlds of microtones or math rock, but I sure can tell that Angine De Poitrine knows their way around a groove. The duo’s second album follows up on their 2024 debut with the sort of quirky scales and bouncy pacing in the vein of King Gizzard and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets alongside exuberant noodling rooted somewhere between King Crimson and Frank Zappa. Yet for how dense and complex this all sounds, the resulting conundrum ends up a lot more danceable than I would’ve expected.
While the presentation is about the same as its predecessor’s with a similar thirty-ish minute runtime revolving around six tracks, one can see refinements in the formula. The bass is quite bold and proves to be just as busy as the guitar picking, offering its own share of complementary runs ala Primus and Yes. There’s also a greater theatrical sense at large as the sporadic chants and dramatic structural shifts suggest consideration for enthusiastic crowd reactions.
“Fabienk” is an immediate demonstration of these sentiments at play, anchored by a propulsive set of bass lines that get contorted by weaving guitars, infectiously pulsating drumbeats, and wacky little chants. “Mata Zylelek” serving up much of the same energy raises concerns for these exercises potentially running together, but “Sarniezz” starts off with a funky breakdown that gradually picks up for a smooth flow. The goofy polka beat driving “Utzp” is another fun little diversion, “Yor Zarad” pairs buzzing guitars and climactic stomps, and “Angor” closes out in a bouncy spiral.
The greater attention that Angine De Poitrine has already received for Vol. II likely won’t dissuade too many notions of a gimmicky style, but this is the best representation of it so far. Close examinations of the band’s technical prowess will no doubt be rewarded yet the driving beats and off-time rhythms are surprisingly accessible. It’s the sort of album that’s easy to get lost in but maintains a fairly consistent flow. One wonders how the formula will hold up with additional fluctuations but I’m too busy wondering if math rock could really be this catchy all along and I just didn’t notice.
