Heartworms has unveiled her striking, dance-infused new single ‘Guess I’m Stuck In The Dark’ and spoken to NME about her highly anticipated second album, which will explore themes of “uncertainty and dark humour”.
The track offers the first preview of the rising London goth rock artist’s follow-up to her acclaimed 2025 debut ‘Glutton For Punishment’. Driven by a confident strut and infectious groove, the indie noir track introduces glittering dancefloor elements to her usually stark and macabre sound. Through the song, Jojo Orme explores “how our minds begin to deceive us when we’re left in the dark, conjuring up fears that only appear in moments of insecurity – but also leaning into that, and trying to party alongside it.”
Speaking to NME after introducing her latest era and visual identity through a series of intimate performances in Italy, where the original version of the single first took shape, Orme revealed that the song began with a power cut while she was using the toilet during a writing session. Inspired by her fear of the dark, she developed the track through a stream-of-consciousness approach to the lyrics. Once back in London, she brought the song to producer Dan Carey, who recognised its potential and pared the arrangement down to its essential elements.
“Over time, a lot of my lyrics do change meaning when I start to realise that maybe it was subconscious telling me something,” shared Orme. “I was struggling to come up with an idea for that song. I couldn’t think of anything, I was feeling very vulnerable and shy, I didn’t like recording vocals in front of people, and being stuck in the dark is about just not being confident in yourself.”
The writing process also led Orme to reflect on “trying to figure out how to be great, but not be great for others, rather great for yourself.”
She continued: “There’s a problem where the more you look within, the more of a mess it is, so when you are trying to come up with something you have to just not look anywhere and the darkness just helps you to straight-up say it.”
Read the rest of our conversation with Orme below, where she discusses the direction of her second album, how heartbreak has influenced her outlook, and her enthusiasm for touring alongside Interpol.
place.”
How was it been launching your new era in Italy?
“I was trying new songs. I guess I was quite scared, because I wanted to change the look to something that I’ve always wanted to wear and naturally gravitate towards by wearing a woollen suit. I like wearing woollen suits on stage and sweating a lot. I feel like I perform better when I’m really uncomfortable.
“Also, just not playing my Firebird [guitar] and getting back pains. I’ve been playing a [Fender] Telecaster, which is a guitar I’ve always been afraid to play on stage because of the shape. I love the sound. The sound is incredible as is recording with it. It’s a brilliant guitar, but I just never thought the shape looked good. I’ve been waiting to find the perfect look to compliment the guitar. I think I’ve managed to find it.
“I didn’t want to have to wear all black again and I was scared to change, but I did it and I never want to go back. When it comes to aesthetic, I mainly think about what I’m trying to say, the sound, I just wait for it to make sense. I become something through the music.”
You’re also about to join Bloc Party and Interpol on their co-headline tour. You’ve said before you’re somewhat religious in your love of Interpol?
“Yes, I really do love them. In a lot of things I write, they shimmer through a few parts. That’s what I like to hear, so when I’m writing it’s a little bit of instrumentation.
“I’m thinking about that first show, just feeling like I’m supporting them. I wonder how I’m going to be, if I’m going to be completely cool and not thinking about if they’re watching or not. I don’t know. I’m thinking about all these things. It’s pretty good all these things are happening.”
You’ve also supported St Vincent and Sleaford Mods in some pretty big rooms. Do opportunities like this give you a hunger for larger stages?
“I never think of big venues. It’s a hard job, it’s really taxing, but there are moments when you can make the most of it and that’s just taking every moment in as much as you can.”
You also met gaming icon Hideo Kojima [Metal Gear], who you can count as a fan. What was that like?
“Hideo and I are good friends, he’s really funny and loves Joy Division. Just a great guy – which reminds me I need to buy a PlayStation!”
‘Guess I’m Stuck In The Dark’ is out now. Heartworms will be headlining a London date at The Windmill in Brixton on Wednesday October 28, before heading to Dark Arts Festival in Leeds on Saturday October 31 and Iceland Airwaves on Reykjavik on Sunday November 7 before her dates supporting Interpol and Bloc Party kick off in Berlin on Thursday November 11 as they roll through Europe and the UK. Visit here for tickets and more information.
