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Heartworms, the South London-based post-punk project led by Jojo Orme, is emerging as a compelling force on the contemporary UK music scene. Before embarking on her musical journey, Jojo struggled with finding her place and identity. Music became her refuge, allowing her to channel her experiences and emotions into her art. Heartworms' music combines intense, raw emotion with a disciplined, almost regimented sound that stands out in the post-punk landscape. Jojo's songwriting is deeply personal, often exploring themes of mental health, resilience, and self-discovery.
Heartworms quickly caught the attention of the influential label Speedy Wunderground, known for nurturing innovative artists, such as Fontaines DC and Wet Leg. Working with producer Dan Carey, Jojo refined her sound, resulting in a series of releases that garnered critical acclaim.
The debut EP, "A Comforting Notion", received critical acclaim from The Sunday Times, Dazed, The FADER, The Quietus, Loud And Quiet, The Line Of Best Fit, and So Young Magazine. The EP's singles were added to the BBC Radio 6 Music playlist and received spot plays from Radio X’s John Kennedy and BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders and Gemma Bradley.
“With my EP, people kind of pigeonholed me into post-punk,” says Jojo Orme, the artist behind Heartworms (see this month’s NME). “I was like, ‘Cool, I can do that, but I can also do way more’ – I can also be poppy and catchy, and this album represents that.” 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.
Across Glutton For Punishment’s nine sharply realised agit-pop tracks, Orme sings about broken families and broken relationships with bracing frankness – every song shot through with the unnerving feeling that maybe she enjoys the chaos. The album reveals the 26 yr old as a talented stylist and cutting lyricist.
Backed by a full live band, Heartworms’ performances are a masterclass in poise and power. Jojo describes the theatrical elements of her shows, punctuated by her intense stare, as a rebellion against preconceived notions of "smallness" and fragility in female musicians. On stage, she projects an image of strength and total control, with uniformity playing a significant role in her art. Inspired by the metronomic music and meticulous fashion of bands like Interpol and Kraftwerk, and the dark humour of PJ Harvey, Jojo's music is a life-affirming exercise that expels her passions, including military history and the poetry of Pound, Thomas, and Keats.