When an album kicks off with 41 seconds of almost complete silence—featuring little more than atmospheric hums and the sound of whipping wind—it’s clear that the creator has a distinct vision in mind. Drawing inspiration from the military themes and war attire that initially shaped her persona, Josephine Orme (known as Heartworms) has meticulously crafted her debut album—everything is in its right place, from the tiniest detail to the final note. The stark emptiness of the opening track 'In The Beginning' serves as a purposeful introduction, providing a clean slate for Orme to declare that, while her 2023 EP ‘A Comforting Notion’ may have established her as an artist, there's much more to come.
While her earlier project painted her as a goth-rock poet reminiscent of Joy Division or The Cure, this time she skillfully evades simplistic labels, drawing from techno (as seen in the driving rhythm of ‘Warplane’), pop (with the bright synth lines of ‘Celebrate’), and even classical influences (the intense percussion of ‘Just To Ask A Dance’ evokes the dramatic essence of Holst’s ‘Mars’ movement), alongside ‘80s post-punk. Unsurprisingly, themes of war feature prominently, yet they are approached with a sensitivity and depth that reflect their complexity: whether viewed on a larger international scale (‘Extraordinary Wings’) or a closer, personal level (‘Smugglers Adventure’), Orme acknowledges that conflict reveals our capacity for both profound cruelty and remarkable beauty. This duality is perhaps most evident in ‘Glutton For Punishment,’ which features intertwined, contrasting elements, as the driving refrain from ‘Just To Ask A Dance’ is transformed into the strikingly delicate title track, culminating in a conclusion that is both captivating and deeply vulnerable. An exceptional debut that demonstrates Heartworms is a formidable presence in the music scene.
An impressive debut that demonstrates Heartworms is a formidable presence in the music scene.
