Domino is very proud to present Microshift, the third album from Hookworms, due for release on February 2nd 2018. With the announcement of Microshift, the band share new track, ‘Negative Space’ – listen HERE. Along with new music, Hookworms will return to the live circuit with dates in both 2017 and in 2018 (a full list of dates and ticket links can be found below).
Microshift is the Leeds band's first new work in over 3 years and marks a seismic shift in their sound, dynamic, songwriting and production, whilst still bearing all the ferocious energy, intricate musicianship and bruised but beautiful song-craft of the previous releases which have quietly made them one of the UK's most revered young bands.
This is the band's third studio album technically but arguably the first in which the studio has been central to its creation. Pearl Mystic and second LP, The Hum were heavily informed by the band's live sound, Microshift on the other hand came to life in the studio, formed out of loops, modular synthesizer sequences, drum machines, homemade samples etc. which were jammed around and layered until the songs began to emerge. The band have also opened their writing to include collaborations with artists such as Richard Formby (on Opener), Christopher Duffin (on Boxing Day) and Alice Merida Richards (on Each Time We Pass).
Radiant, immersive and teeming with light, but still heavy and forceful - the music on Microshift acts as a very deliberate counter to some of the difficult topics the album's lyrics address. Death, disease, heartbreak, body image and even natural disaster are all present here but the overall effect these songs achieve is euphoric catharsis.
The album was written and recorded in full following a complete rebuild of the band’s Suburban Home Studio after the River Aire floods in Leeds in the winter of 2015 which devastated the studio. The band had an incredible response to a GoFundMe campaign and the subsequent help of volunteers over several months to rebuild the studio from nothing is a huge part of the band’s continued existence. Striving through the toughness, it is perhaps no surprise that the record is one of both defiance and darkness. “All of our records are to an extent about mental health,” comments MJ. “Largely this is an album about loss but also about maturing, accepting your flaws and the transience of intimacy”.
Hookworms are MJ, MB, JW, JN & EO.
Microshift will be available on deluxe limited edition LP (including orange colour vinyl, exclusive alternate artwork sleeve, and printed PVC outer sleeve plus bonus hand numbered screen print limited to 500), deluxe LP, standard LP, CD and download.
Pre order via:
Hookworms Tour Dates
2017
Friday 24th November – Hebden Bridge – Trades Club - TICKETS
Sunday 3rd December – Leeds – Community Room @ Brudenell Social Club - TICKETS
2018
Friday 23rd February – Liverpool – Invisible Wind Factory – TICKETS
Saturday 24th February – Brighton – Patterns - TICKETS
Sunday 4th March – Birmingham – Hare & Hounds - TICKETS
Friday 9th March - Manchester - The White Hotel - TICKETS
Saturday 10th March - Manchester - The White Hotel - TICKETS
Sunday 18th March – Newcastle – The Cluny - TICKETS
Saturday 24th March – London – Electric Brixton – TICKETS
Sunday 25th March – Sheffield – Picture House Social - TICKETS
