ALBUM REVIEW - KULA SHAKER – WORMSLAYER
- Rick E
- Feb 1
- 7 min read
WORDS RICK E
WORMSLAYER
KULA SHAKER
OUT NOW
Right then, let's get one thing straight from the off – despite what that title might suggest to us heavy music types, "Wormslayer" isn't Kula Shaker's sudden pivot into doom metal territory. Instead, Crispian Mills and the lads have delivered their eighth studio album as a glorious return to the cosmic pop-rock that made them Britpop's most mystically inclined outfit back in the day. And do you know what? I'm not even disappointed. This is psychedelic rock done properly, with enough Doors-influenced swagger and paisley-tinged brilliance to remind us why this band mattered in the first place.
Twenty-nine years after "K" launched them into the Britpop stratosphere, Kula Shaker remain defiantly out of step with contemporary trends, and that is precisely their strength. While everyone else is chasing algorithms and TikTok virality, Mills and company are still exploring the inner cosmos, crafting songs that could soundtrack a late-night conversation about the meaning of existence just as easily as they could fill a festival tent with blissed-out dancers.
The production here is warm and organic, eschewing modern studio trickery for a sound that could have been beamed in from 1967 – if 1967 had better recording equipment and a healthy dose of Indian classical influence. Mills' vocals remain as distinctive as ever, that slightly nasal delivery that somehow conveys both earnestness and a knowing wink at the cosmic absurdity of it all. The instrumentation is rich and layered without ever feeling cluttered, each element given room to breathe in the mix.
"Lucky Number" opens proceedings with a burst of optimistic energy that immediately establishes this isn't going to be a dark journey. Jay Darlington's organ work recalls classic Doors, all swirling Hammond tones and hypnotic progressions, while the rhythm section keeps things bouncing along with proper groove.
There is a funkiness to Winter-Hart's drumming here that catches you off guard in the best possible way – this isn't just retro pastiche, there's genuine swagger. Mills' vocals soar over the top, delivering lyrics about fate and fortune with the conviction of someone who absolutely believes in the mystical properties of numerology. It's infectious stuff that sets the tone perfectly, announcing that Kula Shaker are here to spread good vibes and cosmic wisdom in equal measure.
"
Good Money" shifts into slightly more sardonic territory, taking aim at materialism with a tune that's paradoxically incredibly catchy. There is a Beatles-Esque quality to the melody construction here, particularly in the chorus harmonies, while the guitar work adds just enough grit to keep things from floating off into pure pop confection. The funk influence really comes through in Bevan's bass line, which locks in with Winter-Hart's drums to create a pocket that is absolutely irresistible. Mills' voice takes on a slightly sneering quality that suits the subject matter perfectly, proving he can deliver social commentary without losing the tune. The spiritual versus material world has always been core Kula Shaker territory, and they navigate it with their usual blend of sincerity and playfulness.
"Charge Of The Light Brigade" is where the band really spreads their wings and takes flight. This epic track references Tennyson while delivering a sprawling psychedelic journey that builds and builds across its runtime. The Mellotron strings add genuine drama, sweeping in like a Victorian symphony filtered through a prism of lysergic consciousness, while the guitar solo in the middle section channels both George Harrison and Robby Krieger without directly copying either. Winter-Hart's drumming is tastefully martial when needed, establishing the cavalry charge rhythm, then loosens into more fluid, funky patterns as the song evolves. It's ambitious without being pretentious, which is a difficult balance to strike, especially when you're a band known for your spiritual leanings. This is Kula Shaker at their most cinematically minded, painting pictures with sound.
"Little Darling" offers up some of the album's most tender moments, showcasing the band's softer side. This is Kula Shaker at their most romantic, crafting a melody that would have fit perfectly onto "K" back in 1996. The acoustic guitars shimmer with genuine warmth, the vocals are heartfelt without tipping into melodrama, and there is a genuine sweetness here that never becomes saccharine. Darlington's keyboards add subtle colour, while the rhythm section shows admirable restraint. Sometimes simplicity is the hardest thing to pull off in psychedelic rock – there is always the temptation to add another layer, another effect – but the band shows maturity, letting the song speak for itself.
"Broke As Folk" injects some working-class grit into the cosmic consciousness, grounding the album's more esoteric tendencies. There is a pub-rock energy here that reminds us that for all the talk of karma and cosmic wheels, these are still lads who understand a good knees-up. The funk elements really shine through here, with Bevan's bass absolutely locking in with Winter-Hart's pocket. The organ breakdown in the middle is absolutely joyous, Darlington getting proper funky on the keys, creating the kind of moment that makes you want to raise a pint and move your feet. It's earthy and unpretentious, providing necessary balance to the album's headier moments.
"Be Merciful" slows things down into ballad territory, with Mills delivering some genuinely affecting vocals over a bed of acoustic guitars and subtle string arrangements. There's a spiritual yearning here that the band has always done well, that sense of reaching for something beyond the mundane without coming across as preachy or holier-than-thou. The production allows space for every element to breathe, creating an almost hymn-like quality that invites contemplation. The original lineup's chemistry is particularly evident here – they know when to play and when to hold back, creating dynamics that serve the song rather than showing off chops.
"Shaunie" picks the pace back up with what is essentially a love song dressed in paisley and beads. The jangly guitars recall the best of 60s British psych-pop, all chiming twelve-strings and reverb-drenched leads, while the rhythm section locks into a funky groove that is utterly irresistible. It's lightweight in the best possible way – not everything needs to be profound, and sometimes a perfectly crafted pop song celebrating someone special is more than enough. The harmonies in the chorus are particularly strong, showing that the original lineup's vocal blend remains as sharp as ever after all these years.
"The Winged Boy" ventures into more experimental territory, with Eastern influences coming to the fore in ways both subtle and overt. The sitar-like guitar tones blend seamlessly with Western rock instrumentation and funky rhythms, creating something that feels both exotic and familiar – a trick Kula Shaker have been pulling off since their inception. This is the band's background in Indian classical music being deployed tastefully rather than as mere orientalist ornament. The interplay between all four original members is exceptional here, demonstrating real understanding of the ragas being referenced while keeping everything grounded in a rock context with proper groove.
"Day For Night" continues the adventurous streak with a track that plays with dynamics and texture in fascinating ways. There is a dreamy, almost cinematic quality to this one, like a psychedelic film score for a movie that exists only in Mills' imagination. Bevan's bass line provides the solid anchor while everything else swirls and spirals around it – guitars phase in and out, Darlington's keyboards paint colourful washes, and Winter-Hart's drums maintain a hypnotic pulse. The whole thing creates a properly trippy effect without losing the funky undercurrent that makes it more than just atmospheric noodling.
"Wormslayer" – the title track – finally arrives near the album's end, and it is worth the wait. This is Kula Shaker firing on all cylinders, the original lineup combining their pop sensibilities with their cosmic ambitions into something genuinely special. The chorus is massive and memorable, the arrangement is clever without being showy, and there's a triumphant quality that suggests the slaying of worms is more metaphorical than literal – perhaps the slaying of earthly concerns, of base materiality, of everything that keeps us from spiritual enlightenment. The funk grooves throughout give it an irresistible momentum, while the psychedelic flourishes remind you this is still very much a Kula Shaker track. It's the kind of song that reminds you why this band has endured through changing fashions and fickle music industry trends.
The album closes with "Dust Beneath Our Feet," a reflective piece that brings everything to a gentle conclusion. There is a wistful quality here, a Buddhist sense of impermanence and the transient nature of all things, handled with grace rather than maudlin sentiment.
After the triumph of the title track, this comedown feels earned and appropriate, leaving you in a contemplative space. The original lineup's interplay is beautiful here, each member knowing exactly what to contribute. It's the perfect closer, leaving you wanting to flip the record over and start the journey again.
Wormslayer" proves that Kula Shaker still have plenty to offer in 2026, and that reuniting the original lineup was absolutely the right move. This is psychedelic rock crafted by musicians who genuinely love the genre, enhanced by retro-funk grooves that give familiar sounds fresh legs. The songs are strong throughout, the performances are excellent, and the production captures the warmth and immediacy of the band's sound without feeling dated or overly nostalgic.
The spiritual themes that have always defined the band feel more grounded here, more earned by years of living rather than youthful enthusiasm alone. Is it going to convert sceptics who never bought into their cosmic consciousness shtick? Probably not. But for those of us who appreciate well-crafted psychedelic rock with actual tunes, genuine funk, and spiritual seeking, this is a welcome addition to the catalogue and proof that the original magic is still very much alive.
Stand-out Tracks: "Charge Of The Light Brigade," "Wormslayer," "Good Money," "The Winged Boy"
4/5
Wormslayer – FULL TRACK LIST
1. Lucky Number
2. Good Money
3. Charge Of The Light Brigade
4. Little Darling
5. Broke As Folk
6. Be Merciful
7. Shaunie
8. The Winged Boy
9. Day For Night
10. Wormslayer
11. Dust Beneath Our Feet
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