SOMEHOW KULA SHAKER‘s new record Wormslayer crossed my desk. I was skeptical. I’ve never known what to think of this band. I was a fan in their heyday, the so-called classic period, way back at the end of the 1990s. It was good background music, driving music, with memorable melodies and interesting lyrics. But then they sort of faded away. There were new albums, but they just didn’t find their way into my heart. The original organ player Jay Darlington left the band and it felt like their best days were behind them. But a few years ago he returned and so Kula Shaker has been reborn. Wormslayer is the second album the reassembled outfit has put out and it sure is tasty and entertaining. Badly needed groove music, especially in such unstable days, psychedelia joined with elements of Indian classical music, English folk, Britpop, and even a little Manchester baggy (just listen to “Good Money“).
As I understand it, it was singer and guitarist Crispian Mills’ aim to bring more positive energy into the world with this album. Lost son Darlington helps him to achieve this noble goal, along with bassist Alonza Bevan and drummer Paul Winter-Hart. My favorite track is “Charge of the Light Brigade.” The production is thick, dense, yet shimmering, lively. The sound comes up at you from every angle. The drums are tight, the bass is flawless, and the organ holds everything together in a warm glow. Mills is also an underappreciated guitarist. According to Mills, it’s the best sound the band has ever achieved on record. Here I have to nod along and say, I agree.
An Estonian version of this review appeared in the magazine Edasi in March 2026.
north! 