Here, the band are more willing than ever to open up their sound, to experiment and, ultimately, to create a record that shines in the face of darkness.
Microshift clearly demonstrates that Hookworms are operating on a new level. The sonic adventure of old persists, but the palette has broadened significantly and is further bolstered by a newfound courage to share experiences, thoughts and feelings. At this point, Hookworms might just be the best British band in the business.
Touching on themes of mental health, masculinity, romantic breakups, body image anxiety and, above all, grief, Microshift still manages to be the poppiest and most uplifting album of the band’s career.
It's the beginning of 2018 and talk of albums of the year right now is obviously churlish, but on Microshift we're hearing a band hitting their sweet spot with such an effortless swagger that we're sure this is a contender.
An album of galvanising dark/light tensions emerges, heralded by the mounting beats and meditations on grief of Negative Space.
Microshift utilises the band's propensity for psychedelia and takes it somewhere new: it's the band's most accessible record to date, but the subtle electronic idiosyncrasies keep it interesting.
Their new way of constructing songs and the more open nature of the sound have done nothing to blunt their emotional impact, and Microshift ends up being just as powerful and cathartic as previous works while being richer and more musically satisfying.
Microshift finds Hookworms drawing a line under their history and taking their first step on a new adventure. They’ve not put a foot wrong yet.
Overall, Microshift is the sound of a band pulling itself out of the abyss on the back of its most buoyant music yet.
Ultimately, Microshift’s bright sound might leave you pining for shadier textures.
Hookworms' 3rd studio album, Microshift sees their british psychedelic focus music continue on full force and with a strong start the band sees to be going into the right direction making catchy uplifting krautrock inspired Neo-Psychedelia but the album slowly drifts into more safe and less memorable music.
Track Review
Negative Space 8.5/10.
Static Resistance 8/10
Ullswater 7.5/10.
The Soft Season 6.5/10
Opener 7/10
Each Time We Pass 6/10
Boxing Day 5.5/10
Reunion 5/10
Shortcomings ... read more
I honestly did not feel much coming out of this album, but I will say that the experimentation was cool and it certainly wasn't low quality. Maybe I need to just listen to more of the genre.
1001 albums randomizer #19:
Very experimental. Very cool. But after the first 4 songs it becomes very bland.
Negative Space: 91
Static Resistance: 77
Ullswater: 80
The Soft Season: 90
Opener: 61
Each Time We Pass: 51
Boxing Day: 58
Reunion: 68
Shortcomings: 71
8/10
exceptional
Fav tracks: Negative Space, Static Resistance, Ullswater, Opener, Boxing Day, Shortcomings
1 | Negative Space 6:56 | 91 |
2 | Static Resistance 3:48 | 77 |
3 | Ullswater 7:08 | 80 |
4 | The Soft Season 4:00 | 90 |
5 | Opener 8:36 | 61 |
6 | Each Time We Pass 5:15 | 51 |
7 | Boxing Day 2:18 | 58 |
8 | Reunion 2:51 | 68 |
9 | Shortcomings 5:40 | 71 |
#34 | / | Uncut |
#50 | / | MOJO |
/ | Esquire (UK) |