Heartworms, the gothic post-punk project of Jojo Orme, returns with ‘Guess I’m Stuck In The Dark’, released via Speedy Wunderground / Distiller and produced by longtime collaborator Dan Carey. Exploring the tricks our minds play on us during moments of insecurity, the track finds Jojo confronting those imagined fears while attempting to have a little fun with them. As she puts it, it’s about “trying to party alongside it.”
Musically, ‘Guess I’m Stuck In The Dark’ is a spacious, rhythm-driven slice of post-punk with indie undertones. The arrangement gradually builds, with flashes of cold synths adding to its sinister atmosphere. Jojo’s theatrical vocals are particularly captivating, shifting between spoken-word passages, whispers, snarling declarations and more melodic moments with layered harmonies. The hypnotic, chanting refrain becomes increasingly unhinged towards the end, giving the track a wonderfully unsettling edge. It’s danceable too, albeit in that awkward, jerky post-punk fashion.
The accompanying black-and-white video takes things further into the surreal, with insects, animal masks and chaotic camera movements. Jojo’s strange dancing and increasingly frantic behaviour perfectly complement the music’s creeping sense of unease. Dark, theatrical and just a little bit deranged, it’s a compelling return from Heartworms.
