Exclusive album premiere of ‘Vs. The Worm’ by Chicago post-punk band Ovef Ow, out today via What’s For Breakfast? Records and the band’s own Oort Cloud Records.

The 10 songs on ‘Vs. The Worm’ are a reflection of the division and chaos the world has descended into; a mirror to unpack what we see and feel. Longing for the past (‘First Day’). Anger and loneliness in the present (‘Anatomy,’ ‘Daylight’). The destruction of climate change (‘Time Zones’). Sexism in the workplace (‘Do The Wurm!’). The looming threat of nuclear war (‘MAD’). In order to move forward and change, we need to identify and talk about these problems. But despite its dark themes, it’s wrapped up as an artsy punk rock space opera that takes you on a cathartic journey.

For their first full-length album, Ovef Ow hit the road to record in the Lawrence, Kansas home studio of post-punk breakouts Sweeping Promises. The album was recorded and mastered by Caufield Schnug and mixed by Spenser Gralla. Listen closely for guest vocal appearances mixed in the choir of ‘First Day’ by Lira Mondal of Sweeping Promises and Paul DeGeorge of Harry and the Potters!

“We picked the name ‘Vs. The Worm’ because it sounds like a distorted way of saying “vs. the world.” but we’re not really against the world. It’s more like we’ve been on this weird, wild journey as a society over the past few years and there’s a lot to process. That’s why the album art is inspired by covers of vintage sci-fi novels that depict a journey into a strange dystopian planet. The thing I like about a lot of sci-fi stories is that their themes are grounded in reality and the human condition, and I think we try to do that in our writing, too. I know the lyrics can get pretty dark under the surface, but we try to channel that rage into joyous energy when we play. This album has been a long time coming. We’re really proud of it.” Marites Velasquez (bass/vocals)

“We brainstormed A LOT of names for this album but ended up going with one of the first concepts (that’s always how it goes, right?). My husband works for the National Archives and he is always coming across old court records with oddly specific names (“USA vs. An article of drug consisting of approximately 2,100 pounds, more or less, of uranium ore…”). That’s how we first got this “vs…” structure, but Ovef Ow is the protagonist (or the prosecution).”

[She continues here:] “We like that the concept has its origins in something bureaucratic and dry, but also sets up the sense of an epic journey, a battle. The music and themes on the record play with different tensions and parallel meanings, too. Like, a song about a prison uprising but make it kind of dance-y? Sure, why not!” Sarah Braunstein (drums/vocals)

“We recorded everything within one week. Almost all of the guitar was done on the first take. Guitar overdubs, which were a couple solos, were finished within 30 minutes. It’s a very raw album!” Nick Barnett (guitar/vocals)

“The recording process involved collaboration and experimentation. New parts were created using borrowed synths, and we added in a ton of auxiliary percussion and layered vocals.” Kyla Denham (keyboards/vocals)

Headline photo: Hannah Sellers

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