.png)
3 hours ago
1
From Saguenay, Quebec
Recommended if you like Holy Fuck, Prescott, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Up next New LP Angine de Poitrine Volume II released 3 April. Touring the UK in May
In 2023, two young men – their earthly identities a jealously guarded secret – began “a joke that spilled into reality” intended to simulate something like its namesake heart condition. Weary of the solemn aura that attaches to guitar rock, they began playing what their website describes as “mantra-rock dada pythago-cubiste” as Angine de Poitrine. It is a joke delivered with mesmerising finesse.
Khn is the alien guitar virtuoso, living an absurdist guitar-hero dream with a twin neck microtonal lead-and-bass whose lines are woven together with elaborate live-looping pedals. His face is hidden behind a priapically long nose, while Klek by contrast is a “stoic” labourer at the drum kit, with a drooping, disappointed-looking proboscis. You can see where the dada bit in their brand comes from as the pair, who play facing each other in yin-yang polka dot robes, also wear handmade papier-mache headdresses that would not have looked out of place at the original Cabaret Voltaire.
The music matches the oddness of the costumes. There is a good deal of shredding metal as you’d expect, but it’s alongside some real surprises. On Fabienk you can hear microtonal flourishes reminiscent of James “Blood” Ulmer’s harmolodics. On Mata Zyklek things get distinctly north African. On UTZP there is klezmer in the air. There are occasional vocals, which sound like mumbly Daleks, but there aren’t really conventional songs. Instead, there are hypnotic riffs and grooves, whose proggy time shifts are all in astonishing lockstep, making this as much party music as it is prog. Lindesay Irvine
This week’s best new tracks
Jawnino – Mattress (ft Deer Park)
The best rap track of 2026 so far? Deer Park contributes not only a guest verse, but the astounding cloud-rap beat here, a threatening cumulonimbus lit by lightning. Jawnino cruises through it with a perfectly weighted hook. BBT
Olof Dreijer – Echoed Dafnino (ft MaMan)
Formerly half of the Knife, Dreijer continues his pursuit of zippy Technicolor club bangers with the announcement of his long-awaited solo debut. Here, the Sudanese Arabic singer MaMan sails over synths that squirt like fountains. LS
Kacey Musgraves – Dry Spell
After two disappointing pop-leaning albums since 2018’s killer Golden Hour, Musgraves strips things back beautifully for a filigreed two-stepper about a sex drought. Her dry spell is the start of a new purple patch. LS
The Thinking of the World Began Pounding in Our Ears the Moment We Hit Shore – Say What You Want To
Quite the artist name – and quite the song to lead off your debut album. Think David Bowie’s “Heroes” slowed down to stately dream-pop. BBT
Mei Semones – Tooth Fairy (ft John Roseboro)
Skittish, time-warping bossa nova underpins this endearing, Japanese-sung tale of losing a tooth on the subway then running into a friend. Roseboro adds gorgeous vocal compassion and doubled-up guitar. LS
Bill Orcutt and Mabe Fratti – Almost Waking
Two of the Guardian music desk’s favourite musicians – the US post-blues guitarist Orcutt and the Guatemalan cellist-vocalist Fratti – create a stunning, keening duet for strings. BBT
Sean Solomon – Remember
It’s tough to make fey, gentle indie pop such as this feel weighty, but Solomon – formerly of the Sub Pop trio Moaning – does it here. He looks back on his life and steadfastly focuses on the good times. BBT
Subscribe to the Guardian’s rolling Add to Playlist selections on Spotify – or transfer it to Apple, Tidal or other services
