The Worm (HMLTD album)

Last updated

The Worm
The Worm album cover.webp
Studio album by
HMLTD
Released7 April 2023 (2023-04-07)
StudioWormhole, Pony, Dock, Hermitage Works, RAK, Crouch End and Sleeper Sound (London)
Mike's Manhole (Hastings)
Antart and Artracks (Athens)
Genre
Length41:28
Label Lucky Number Music
Producer HMLTD
HMLTD chronology
West of Eden
(2020)		The Worm
(2023)
Singles from The Worm
  1. "Wyrmlands"
    Released: 31 January 2023
  2. "The End Is Now"
    Released: 7 March 2023
  3. "The Worm"
    Released: 4 April 2023
  4. "Days"
    Released: 15 May 2023

The Worm is the second studio by British art-rock band HMLTD. It was released on 7 April 2023 on Lucky Number Music. It is a rock opera style concept album about a worm swallowing England.

Contents

Three singles were released in the weeks ahead of the album's release: "Wyrmlands", "The End of Now" and "The Worm". They all have music videos directed by front man Henry Spychalski.

Concept

The Worm is a loose concept album set in an anachronistic version of Medieval England. Its populace is in peril, because the titular worm is bound to swallow them. According to Spychalski, the first single "Wyrmlands" "tells the story of a guerrilla resistance movement against the Worm. The lyrics recount their tales of subversion and subterfuge: counter-offensives, tortured confessions and haunting vignettes of the strange new land in which they find themselves." [1] In "The End Is Now", the worm has awoken and is about to swallow the English countryside. [2] The stripped-back ballad "Days" is a more intimate view into the mind of anti-worm leader Henry Spychalski. It references to a love interest whom he lost through the worm. "Saddest Worm Ever" makes repeated references to the efforts of killing the worm. The repeated line 'like a gun to the head' hints at a possible connection between the worm and depression. The Grunter Rebels, led by Spychalski, are briefly mentioned. Their crime, grunting and consuming worms, is punishable by death.

"Liverpool Street" breaks with the clear narrative chronology of the story. A spoken word narration, possibly made by a psychiatrist of a mental institution, is diagnosing Spychalski with "extremely volatile behaviour". It is revealed that he cannot distinguish between real and symbolic figures in the mind. The worm could therefore be interpreted as a stand-in for a mental illness, most likely depression. In order to overcome his struggle, Spychalski has to kill the worm. This battle is depicted from his point of view in the title track, "The Worm". Here, the worm is said to be "deep within yourselves" and to "swallow worlds". Spychalski called the song "the clearest admission that the album is a symbol of my depression and battle with it". [3] The longest song on album, "Past Life (Sinnerman's Song)" makes heavy references to religion and advised the narrator to "keep the faith". The spoken-word outro is depicting a cat cutting a worm in half. The narrator kneels down and brings the worm outside. He repeats "life is beautiful", showing Spychalskis process of healing. The closer "Lay Me Down" is a hopeful song in that according to Spychalski "[t]he narrator’s overcome his delusions and his demons [...] [he] made peace with himself. It’s a song at the end of the world." [4]

Music

The Worm covers a lot of different styles throughout the album. While single "Wyrmlands" with its heavy use of jazz instrumentation was often compared to adjacent South London band Black Midi, "The End is Now" is an art pop song that features a gospel choir. "Days" and "Liverpool Street" are relatively stripped-back piano ballads. "Saddest Worm Ever" is a art-rock song similar to the 2007 Radiohead album In Rainbows. Later the track list, "The Worm" and "Past Life (Sinnerman's Song)" are structured more like musical theatre performances. To end up the album, HMLTD chose to give closer "Lay Me Down" a more hopeful song structure.

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 86/100 [5]
Review scores
SourceRating
DIY Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [6]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
The Line of Best Fit 9/10 [8]
Loud and Quiet 8/10 [9]
Louder Than War Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [10]
The Skinny Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]
The Telegraph Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]

The Worm was well received by music critics upon release. On review aggregator website Metacritic, the album has an average critic score of 86 out of 100, based on five critics. [5]

Writing for The Telegraph , British music critic Andrew Perry welcomed the experimentation deployed on the album. He wrote: "As a 40-minute listening experience, it's equal parts eccentric and impassioned, thought-provoking and out-there – if not exactly fun, given the mental-health issues, then certainly liberating, nourishing and thoroughly memorable." [12] In a similar positive review for The Line of Best Fit , Caitlin Chatterton complimented that despite its short runtime, The Worm "expertly treads the line between fantasy and realism, between pretension and honesty, and wraps it all up before you've had time to raise an eyebrow." [8]

Ammar Kalia writing for The Guardian praised the album's unifying theme. which "can lead tracks such as the riff-heavy Wyrmlands into musical theatre territory as Spychalski crams lyrics amid instrumental virtuosity." For Kalia, it shows HMLTD "as a band capable of committing to grand visions with brilliant intensity." [7]

Track listing

The Worm track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Worm's Dream"Achilleas Sarantaris, Duc Peterman, Henry Spychalski, Seth Evans1:14
2."Wyrmlands"Abigail Morris, Sarantaris, Peterman, Spychalski, James Donovan, Evans3:51
3."The End Is Now"Justin Tranter, Morris, Sarantaris, Peterman, Spychalski, Donovan, Jazz Alonso, Nicolas Mohnblatt, Rhys Downing, Evans3:58
4."Days"Morris, Sarantaris, Peterman, Spychalski, James Donovan, Evans4:30
5."Saddest Worm Ever"Morris, Sarantaris, Peterman, Spychalski, Donovan, Mohnblatt, Evans5:30
6."Liverpool Street"Sarantaris, Peterman, Spychalski, Evans4:55
7."The Worm"Morris, Sarantaris, Peterman, Spychalski, Donovan, Evans5:18
8."Past Life (Sinnerman's Song)"Morris, Sarantaris, Peterman, Spychalski, Donovan, Evans7:17
9."Lay Me Down"Morris, Sarantaris, Peterman, Gianluca Buccellati, Spychalski, Donovan, Mohnblatt, Evans4:55
Total length:41:28

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U + Me (Love Lesson)</span> 2017 single by Mary J. Blige

"U + Me (Love Lesson)" is a song by American singer Mary J. Blige from her 13th studio album, Strength of a Woman (2017). It was released on February 17, 2017, as the album's second single. Brandon "B.A.M." Hodge produced "U + Me (Love Lesson)" and co-wrote it with Charles Hinshaw, David D. Brown, and Mary J. Blige. It is a soul ballad, and its lyrics revolve around a breakup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HMLTD</span> British band

HMLTD are a British art punk band from London, formed in 2015. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Henry Spychalski, guitarist Duc Peterman, bassist Nico Mohnblatt, drummer Achilleas Sarantaris and keyboardist Seth Evans. On 7 February 2020, they released their debut album, West of Eden. On 7 April 2023, they released their second album, The Worm.

<i>Black Focus</i> 2016 studio album by Yussef Kamaal

Black Focus is the only studio album by English duo Yussef Kamaal, composed of drummer Yussef Dayes and keyboardist Kamaal Williams. It was released on 4 November 2016 under Brownswood Recordings. Characterised by its "spontaneity and flow", the album draws influence from electronic music of British origin. It received universal acclaim from music critics, being described as having a culturally diverse palette.

<i>Amadjar</i> 2019 studio album by Tinariwen

Amadjar is the eighth album by the Tuareg band Tinariwen, released on September 6, 2019. The album's title means "the foreign traveler" in the Tamashek language. The album features guest appearances by Noura Mint Seymali, Micah Nelson, Cass McCombs, Stephen O'Malley, Warren Ellis, and Rodolphe Burger. The album reached number 74 on the Ultratop albums chart in Belgium.

<i>Emotional Education</i> 2019 studio album by Ider

Emotional Education is the debut full-length album by English singer-songwriter duo Ider, released on 19 July 2019 through Glassnote Records.

<i>West of Eden</i> (album) 2020 studio album by HMLTD

West of Eden is the debut studio album by the British band HMLTD. It was released on 7 February 2020 through Lucky Number Music.

<i>Song for Alpha</i> 2018 studio album by Daniel Avery

Song for Alpha is the second studio album by English electronic musician Daniel Avery. It was released on 6 April 2018 under Mute Records in the United States and Canada, and Phantasy Sound for worldwide.

<i>Keleketla!</i> 2020 studio album by Keleketla!

Keleketla! is the self-titled studio album by British/South African musical project brought together by Johannesburg's Keleketla! Library founders Rangoato Hlasane and Malose Malahlela and English electronic music duo Coldcut. The album's title means "response" in the Sepedi language. It was released on 3 July 2020 via Ahead Of Our Time. Recording sessions took place at Trackside Creative Studios in Soweto, at Denmark Street Studios and at Assault and Battery Studios in London.

"Champagne Problems" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift from her ninth studio album, Evermore (2020). She wrote the song with Joe Alwyn, who is credited under the pseudonym William Bowery, and produced it with Aaron Dessner. "Champagne Problems" is a lo-fi tune driven by oom-pah piano and a guitar riff. Lyrically, the song is a sentimental ballad written from the perspective of a troubled girlfriend who turns down her lover's earnest marriage proposal due to her not feeling ready. It depicts a narrator taking responsibility for the breakup and mourning the faded relationship.

<i>Fongola</i> 2019 studio album by KOKOKO!

Fongola is the debut album of Congolese experimental electronic pop musical group KOKOKO!, released 5 July 2019 by Transgressive Records. The album is made with a combination of instruments made from junk and electronic instruments.

<i>Prioritise Pleasure</i> 2021 studio album by Self Esteem

Prioritise Pleasure is the second studio album by the British musician Self Esteem, aka Rebecca Lucy Taylor, released on 22 October 2021. Most of the album was written before the COVID-19 pandemic but its recording was delayed by the subsequent lockdowns. The album was promoted by several singles, including the lead single, "I Do This All the Time". It received acclaim from critics, with several listing it as one of the best albums of 2021, and charted at number 11 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was nominated for the 2022 Mercury Prize.

<i>Who Cares?</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Rex Orange County

Who Cares? is the third studio album by the English musician Rex Orange County, released on 11 March 2022, through RCA Records. The album was written and produced by Rex Orange County and the Dutch musician Benny Sings, with an appearance from the American rapper Tyler, the Creator.

<i>Nymph</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Shygirl

Nymph is the debut studio album by British rapper and singer Shygirl. It was released on 30 September 2022 on vinyl, CD, cassette and digital download, through Because Music. The album was announced alongside the release of its lead single "Firefly" on 10 May 2022. The second single "Come for Me" was released on 7 June 2022. The album was shortlisted for the 2023 Mercury Prize.

<i>Panorama</i> (Hayley Kiyoko album) 2022 studio album by Hayley Kiyoko

Panorama is the second studio album by American singer and actress Hayley Kiyoko, released on July 29, 2022, through Empire and Atlantic.

<i>Close to Home</i> (Aitch album) 2022 studio album by Aitch

Close to Home is the debut full-length studio album by British rapper Aitch, released in 2022. The album features guest appearances from Mastermind, Ashanti, New Machine, Bakar, AJ Tracey and Ed Sheeran. The release has received generally favourable reviews from critics, who have noted the evolution of the rapper's style and persona as well as the diversity present in the individual tracks, but criticised the uneven quality of the songs.

<i>Ivory</i> (Omar Apollo album) 2022 studio album by Omar Apollo

Ivory is the debut studio album by American singer Omar Apollo, released on April 8, 2022, by Warner Records. The album was promoted by five singles: "Go Away", "Bad Life", "Invincible", "Killing Me" and "Tamagotchi". The album's deluxe edition, titled Ivory (Marfil), featuring five additional tracks including the singles "Archetype" and "Highlight", was released on August 12, 2022. On October 4, 2022, "Evergreen" was released as the overall album's eighth single and Apollo's first radio single.

<i>You Cant Kill Me</i> 2022 studio album by 070 Shake

You Can't Kill Me is the second studio album by American singer-musician 070 Shake. It was released by GOOD Music and Def Jam on June 3, 2022.

<i>Evergreen</i> (Pvris album) 2023 studio album by Pvris

Evergreen is the fourth studio album by American rock band Pvris, released on July 14, 2023, through Hopeless Records. It was preceded by the release of five singles, the first of which was a double A-side of "Animal" and "Anywhere but Here", followed by "Goddess", "Good Enemy", "Love Is a..." and "Evergreen".

<i>Time Machine</i> (Alma album) 2023 studio album by Alma

Time Machine is the second studio album by Finnish singer and songwriter Alma. It was released through PME Records and Epic Records on 21 April 2023. It was preceded by the release of five singles "Everything Beautiful", "I Forgive Me", "Summer Really Hurt Us", "Hey Mom Hey Dad" and "Tell Mama".

<i>Quarter Life Crisis</i> (album) 2023 studio album by Baby Queen

Quarter Life Crisis is the debut studio album by South African singer and songwriter Baby Queen. It was released on 10 November 2023 through Polydor Records. It was entirely produced by King Ed with additional production from Baby Queen, Mark Ralph, Max Wolfgang, and Scott Culcombe. The lead single "Dream Girl" was released 9 June 2023, which was then followed by "We Can Be Anything" released 20 July 2023 ahead of its feature in Netflix's Heartstopper.

References

  1. ↑ Murray, Robin (31 January 2023). "HMLTD Announce Dystopian New Album The Worm". Clash . Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  2. ↑ Watson, Elly (7 March 2023). "HMLTD unveil new single 'The End Is Now'". DIY. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  3. ↑ Bound, Chris (4 April 2023). "HMLTD deliver new single 'The Worm'". Mystic Sons. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  4. ↑ Clarke, Patrick (4 April 2023). "Songs At The End Of The World: An Interview With HMLTD". The Quietus. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  5. 1 2 "The Worm by HMLTD Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic . Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  6. ↑ Thirwell, Elvis (7 April 2023). "HMLTD – The Worm: Astonishingly committed to its outlandish – basically ridiculous – ideals". DIY . Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  7. 1 2 Kalia, Ammar (9 April 2023). "HMLTD: The Worm review – a grand, apocalyptic free-for-all". The Guardian . Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  8. 1 2 Chatterton, Caitlin. "HMLTD bring their ambitious vision to life on The Worm". The Line of Best Fit . Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  9. ↑ Davidson, Robert. "HMLTD - The Worm". Loud and Quiet . Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  10. ↑ Sloan, Susan (10 April 2023). "HMLTD: The Worm – album review". Louder Than War . Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  11. ↑ Faulds, Jack (3 April 2023). "HMLTD – The Worm". The Skinny . Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  12. 1 2 Perry, Andrew (7 April 2023). "Ellie Goulding brings us dance-floor delight, HMLTD is as eccentric as ever – the week's best albums". The Telegraph . Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  13. ↑ Noted as Saigon Fury
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.