I had no idea who femtanyl, a digital hardcore duo out of Toronto, was until they appeared on the Palomosa 2026 lineup. The duo, made up of lead singer Noelle Stockwood and multi-instrumentalist Juno Callender, makes glitchy and hardcore electronica that brings to mind a more modern Nine Inch Nails or The Prodigy. I also hear echoes of Skrillex’s old dubstep, mixed in with more noise that is a bit Model/Actriz, especially on the opener “BODY THE PISTOL.”
This debut LP, MAN BITES DOG, is angry and volatile, and honestly might be too hard for the Gen Z Palomosa crowd. Although who knows… femtanyl has amassed a consistent following by featuring on tracks with Danny Brown and is playing this year’s Primavera Sound, so I could see their show at Palo being packed.
I stay for the screams and sheer cathartic energy on “SICK OF IT,” and the electronic production work is absolutely filthy, sounding like a glitched-out computer being curbstomped repeatedly on a cobblestone road. Almost Jane Remove-esque, but way more post hardcore thanks to Stockwood’s blood-ripping verse. “SHOW YOU THE WAY TO THE HIWAY,” has a super catchy bass and psychedelic riff that traills into more breakstep dance territory.
The only real relief from the sonic onslaught is on “MY HEAH HURTS,” which traces more into the lightened IDM music sphere and then more screams of course. femtanyl is apparently super popular in the furry community due to their past EP covers featuring an injured Kawaii cat mascot, so be prepared to shake ass with the animals.
