Heartworms unleashes alternative hypno-gem in new single ‘May I Comply’
The alternative star strikes gold again with new track.
Photo: Gilbert Trejo
Heartworms, the brainchild of South London’s Jojo Orme, dropped her debut extended play back in March. Described by NME as ‘the next great cult band’ and dubbed the ‘fearless new voice of British post-punk’ by Dazed, Heartworms is back with a captivating new single: May I Comply.
Aberrant frontwoman Orme marries the spellbinding mysticism, edgy look and thrillingly erratic sound of a new-age Cramps. Heartworms is a project with the energy and dime-turning craze of acts like Black Honey and Franz Ferdinand, effortlessly splicing alternative rock with a contagious groove. There’s something endlessly entrancing about watching Orme writhe onstage, possessed by some enigmatic – but ingenious – muse.
The track is a little strange, a little disturbing, and infinitely repeatable; a formula which oft makes the best kind of content. Suddenly it all becomes clearer as to how the one-woman band has ended up headlining Village Underground, London, later this month.
May I Comply is mainstream enough for the radio on long drives down the highway, and weird enough for the weirdos. It provides a change of scenery from the deep beige of the charts and stands out enough to deservedly put itself in the ‘alternative’ genre. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for Heartworms. She’s got our attention with this one, now she just needs to keep us hooked. Somehow, I think Orme can rise to the challenge.