Hookworms - Microshift

Microshift is the third studio album by British psychedelic rock band Hookworms, released in November 2014 via Domino Recordings.

Microshift is the Leeds band's first new work in over three 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 (2013) and second LP, The Hum (2014) 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 has received near “universal acclaim” from music critics upon its release. Laura Snapes reviewing the album for Mojo music magazine, rated the album 4 out of 5 stars, concluding “…Hookworms have always made music for the heads, but Microshift is their first record from the heart – an unusual yet utterly coherent balance of tenderness and euphoria, vulnerability and invention…”

Check out the tracks:  “Static Resistance”; “Each Time We Pass”; “Negative Space”; and “Boxing Day”.

This limited edition LP record is on 180 gram heavyweight vinyl with a printed inner sleeve, deluxe PVC printed sleeve and digital download code, pressed in the UK.