Heartworms – ‘Glutton For Punishment’ album review: a staggering, perfected and polished debut
THE SKINNY: What is there to do with ugly feelings? As a society, we understand joy; we understand sadness; we understand anger in certain forms as long as it is distilled in acceptable ways. But what about the weird in-betweens? The obsessions, the alienations, the morbid fascination with the worst in us all? Art is the last beacon of the ugly, and Heartworms harnesses it all into Glutton For Punishment.
London’s Jojo Orme, aka Heartworms, could have released a record a while ago. Ever since her first singles were released, with the help and backing of the hugely respected Dan Carey and his label Speedy Wunderground, people have been calling out for an LP. It was clear way back in 2022 that Heartworms had something special and unique, a sound almost impossible to adequately describe or categorise but one that was fascinating and hypnotic in that way. But the perfected polish of Glutton For Punishment is proof of why waiting is often best, allowing her to finally satisfy that anticipation with a product that is not only start-to-finish representative of her potential but that goes far beyond the possibilities people first heard in her.
It’s a short and sharp release. There is no wasted space or bloating at only nine tracks long, with one being an instrumental introduction and the finale being a kind of acoustic closer. Instead, the LP is blow after blow of greatness. ‘Just To Ask A Dance’ sets the bar high immediately with a song so vivid with an atmosphere that any listener is immediately lost in the album’s world, but as track after track reveals itself, that world only grows with the standard staying golden on the journey.
While there are no real genre labels or reference points able to do Heartworms’ singular and specific vision justice, there are varied mix-ins of inspirations being expertly distilled by her talent and Carey’s production power. Within only a few songs, there is the vocal and song-crafting skills of PJ Harvey. There is the catchy yet still interesting ability of LCD Soundsystem’s unique take on a track to dance to. There are elements of punk, post-punk, pure indie, 1980s gothic pop, and even some more folkish flitting in moments, too. It feels like nothing is off limits because it all makes sense when reworked through Heartworms’ voice, both literally and lyrical, which seems to make any level of experimentation appear natural and effective as it becomes a part of her atmospheric plane.
For a debut, it’s staggering. It’s mature way beyond her years and astonishingly built, it’s a true testament to her power as a singer, songwriter, musician and her dedication to her own vision and only that.
For fans of: All black outfits and bedrooms that look like shrines to some niche interest
A concluding comment from my housemate when the first song kicked in: “I feel like we’re in some video game.”
Glutton For Punishment track by track
Release day: February 7th | Producer: Dan Carey | Label: Speedy Wunderground
‘In The Beginning’: Little more than a low, atmospheric grumble, Heartworms asks listeners to take a moment and join her in the album’s energy and mood.
‘Just To Ask A Dance’: But it benefits from that quiet as the moment the music begins, it’s instantly impactful, like a powerful presence coming to life. Gothic, dramatic, moody, and yet still anthemic, this opening number is everything great about Heartworms, which is shown at its greatest with a roaring guitar breakdown to punctuate that. [4.5/5]
‘Jacked’: With the bar set high, she meets it again with ease as ‘Jacked’ is a tense, majority instrumental song that once again shows the sharpness of her vision for this release as I can’t think of a single reference point of inspiration that could accurately capture its sound. [4/5]
‘Mad Catch’: The sky seems to lighten on this one as she turns her focus to the carnage of modern dating, distilling that emotional mayhem into a ’90s post-punk meets LCD Soundsystem-type-neutrotic-dance-indie-infused tune. [4/5]
‘Extraordinary Wings’: ‘Wow.’ That’s what I wrote in my notes about this song as Heartworms goes full PJ Harvey as the slow build, atmospheric opening bursts into the finest vocal performance on the album with a chanting chorus and a final howl of power. [4.5/5]
‘Warplane’: Drawing from her fascination with military history that’s littered through the record, ‘Warplane’’s foundational relentless beat gets the heart rate racing, building towards the biggest climax on the album before dissipating into a kind of eerie peace at the ending. [4.5/5]
‘Celebrate’: With so many different genres and sounds at play here, Heartworms and producer Dan Carey have merged them all masterfully. PJ Harvey floats back in here with a crooning, broad-range-showing vocal leading the way. It’s a track that tricks you into comfort before punching you in the face in the final moments. [4.5/5]
‘Smugglers’ Adventure’: Stripping back the more electronic details, this feels like the album’s most straightforward rock song, returning to the gothic elements of the album with some Siouxsie Sioux wails and another final punch of an outro that takes this track from great to kind of mindblowing. [4/5]
‘Glutton For Punishment’: As her closing remarks, Heartworms recontextualises ‘Just To Ask To Dance’, stripping things back to a more raw, demo-like sound in the grand tradition of the more lo-fi finale moment. [4/5]
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