South London post punk/alt musician Heartworms (aka Jojo Orme) has announced the release of her highly-anticipated debut album, Glutton For Punishment.
She has also shared the brand new single “Warplane”, accompanying video directed by Gilbert Trejo. The record will be out on February 7 via Speedy Wunderground. Pre-order your copy here.
Produced by longtime collaborator Dan Carey, Glutton For Punishment combines the propulsive, motorik tendencies of gothic stalwarts Depeche Mode, with the lyrical dexterity of PJ Harvey, and the off-kilter rhythms of LCD Soundsystem into a powerful sonic onslaught that is entirely Heartworms.
Speaking on the album and the stirring imagery that accompanies it, Heartworms explains:
“I’ve been chastised my whole life; made to feel as if I didn’t belong, punished for not fitting into a perfect image of how a growing woman should be. When you’re told something enough times you start to believe it. I often find myself locked into an unhealthy cycle of craving harsh discipline, greedy for the familiarity it brings but terrified of the consequences – better the devil you know. But this album doesn’t just reflect my own experiences; it reflects those of the people in my life and the stories of others that I think need to be heard.”
“Warplane” is a blistering new offering which includes some of Heartworms’ most evoking lyricism to date that conjures striking images of the horrors of warfare combined with her passion for military history. Expanding on the single, Heartworms says:
“The opening lyrics set the scene of a dogfight in the air while civilians are witnessing it take shape. My imagination is always out of my control, and my love of Spitfires even more so, so I couldn’t help but make this about a spitfire pilot. I am dedicating this to William Gibson Gordon – a Spitfire pilot who was killed in action by an Me109 at just 20 years old. The song ends how I imagine his falling Spitfire sounds to me, like an angel losing its extraordinary wings.
Gilbert Trejo and I were lucky enough to enlist the help of an incredible blacksmith called Gus Baldwin. I’m wearing his ‘Brutal Bridle’, a take on the scold’s bridle, a mediaeval instrument of punishment intended to publicly humiliate and silence women.”
Gilbert Trejo adds: “For the video of Warplane I kept thinking of Jojo as Ares watching William Wyler’s [1942 film] Mrs. Miniver. Standing over this horrible war and experiencing the loss herself. She’d told me the story of William Gibson Gordon, and seeing how the death of this young man nearly 100 years ago moved her, was touching. It was like she was there”
Check out below, followed bu the album’s track list and artwork.
Heartworms “Glutton For Punishment” Tracklist:
- In The Beginning
- Just To Ask A Dance
- Jacked
- Mad Catch
- Extraordinary Wings
- Warplane
- Celebrate
- Smuggler’s Adventure
- Glutton For Punishment
