49. Heartworms
The Dark Soundscaper
In a world overflowing with musical voices, few cut through the noise with such immediacy and conviction as Jojo Orme, better known as Heartworms. Emerging from the South London scene, Orme has crafted a project that is as strikingly personal as it is sonically adventurous, blending post-punk energy, gothic atmospheres, and sharp lyrical bite into something entirely her own. Heartworms isn’t simply a stage name; it’s a statement of intent, a vessel through which Orme channels creativity, introspection, and sheer artistic daring.
Raised in Kent before moving into London’s fertile creative landscape, Orme’s formative years were shaped by an eclectic mix of influences — literature, visual art, alternative rock, and the more experimental fringes of electronic music. This rich tapestry of inspiration has helped define her style, which balances raw urgency with moments of haunting delicacy. She has described her music as an extension of herself: sometimes dark, often restless, but always purposeful. That sense of identity has quickly set her apart in the UK’s crowded musical underground.
The Heartworms project came to wider attention through a series of electrifying live performances and releases that drew immediate critical acclaim. Signing with Speedy Wunderground, one of Britain’s most forward-thinking independent labels, Orme found the perfect home for her uncompromising vision. Her debut EP, A Comforting Notion (2023), was met with widespread praise for its intensity and originality. Songs like Consistent Dedication and Retributions of an Awful Lifecaptured a new kind of post-punk sensibility: sharp, confrontational, but layered with thought-provoking storytelling. For listeners and critics alike, it was a breath of fresh air — evidence that the next great wave of British music was already cresting.
Live, Heartworms is an experience unto itself. Jojo Orme’s commanding presence on stage has been compared to the greats of the alternative era: fierce, magnetic, and impossible to ignore. Her performances carry a theatrical edge, drawing audiences into her world with equal parts power and vulnerability. Whether in intimate clubs or on festival stages, she exudes the confidence of an artist who knows exactly who she is and what she wants to say.
Beyond her music, Orme has also become a quietly inspirational figure. She is an Army reservist, a detail that surprises many but underscores her individuality and strength of character. It is this combination of discipline and creativity, of grit and grace, that makes her such a compelling artist. Heartworms is not just another emerging musician — it is Jojo Orme’s carefully honed identity, brimming with authenticity and courage.
As Britain continues to produce some of the world’s most exciting new talent, Heartworms stands at the forefront of a generation that refuses to be pigeonholed. Boldly experimental yet deeply human, her music resonates far beyond trends, tapping into something timeless and urgent. Jojo Orme’s journey is still in its early chapters, but already Heartworms feels destined to take a permanent place in the story of modern British music.
