Few bands from the Britpop era have followed their own compass quite like Kula Shaker. Never content with revivalism or nostalgia, they’ve spent decades weaving psychedelia, mysticism, folk traditions and crunching rock into something unmistakably their own. Wormslayer, released on 30th January, sees the band doubling down on that identity — bold, spiritual, playful and unapologetically colourful.
This is not a band looking backwards. Instead, Wormslayer feels like a reaffirmation of belief: in melody, in message, and in the power of psychedelic rock to still feel dangerous, curious and alive.
Here’s the ThisIsTheMusic track-by-track review:
Lucky Number
The album opens not with bombast, but with intent. Lucky Number unfolds patiently, built on a hypnotic rhythmic sway and shimmering guitar lines that feel almost ceremonial. There’s a mantra-like quality to the vocal delivery, drawing the listener in rather than demanding attention. It’s a confident opener — relaxed yet purposeful — signalling that Wormslayer is about immersion, not instant gratification.
Good Money
One of the album’s earliest signposts, Good Money distils Kula Shaker’s psychedelic instincts into something playful and sharply focused. Funk-leaning basslines and elastic grooves give the track a swagger, while the lyrics hint at satire beneath the sunshine. Familiar enough to hook first-time listeners, but layered enough to reward repeat spins, it works as both a standalone single and a crucial pillar of the album’s identity.
Charge Of The Light Brigade
Dramatic and cinematic, Charge Of The Light Brigade marches forward with real intent. There’s a sense of movement throughout — propelled by driving rhythms, swirling guitars and a sense of controlled urgency. The song taps into Kula Shaker’s flair for grandeur, yet never feels overwrought. Instead, it balances scale with precision, making it one of the album’s most immediate and commanding moments.
Little Darling
A shift in mood arrives with Little Darling, where the band explore a more intimate, romantic tone. Reverb-washed vocals drift over a gently pulsing arrangement, hinting at gothic undertones without slipping into darkness. There’s a timeless quality here — a nod to classic balladry filtered through psychedelic haze — showing Kula Shaker’s ability to dial things back without losing atmosphere.
Broke As Folk
Broke As Folk is one of Wormslayer’s most deceptively rich moments. Sonically, it leans into an earthy, almost pastoral soundscape — acoustic textures sit alongside gently swirling psychedelic flourishes. There’s a looseness to the groove, driven by a warm, rolling rhythm that draws on traditional folk influences, whilst maintaining a modern psychedelic edge, keeping it firmly in Kula Shaker territory.
Lyrically, the song explores themes of value, survival and perspective, touching on what it means to live with less while holding onto identity and belief. There’s a quiet defiance woven through the lines — not bitterness, but resilience — suggesting that being “broke” isn’t just financial, but philosophical. It’s about stripping life back to essentials, rejecting excess, and finding meaning outside of material gain.
What makes Broke As Folk stand out is how naturally those ideas are reflected in the music and lyrics (“The King has lost his crown”). Nothing feels overstated or indulgent; instead, the arrangement mirrors the song’s message, favouring warmth and authenticity over grand gestures. It’s one of the album’s most human moments — understated, reflective, and quietly powerful.
Be Merciful
Be Merciful slows the pace and deepens the emotional register. Soulful phrasing and warm instrumentation give the track a reflective, almost prayer-like feel. There’s restraint here — the band resist the urge to overload the arrangement, allowing space for the song to breathe. It’s a moment of calm introspection that adds emotional weight to the album’s midsection.
Shaunie
One of Wormslayer’s most playful cuts, Shaunie injects colour and character into the tracklist. The melody is bright, the rhythms nimble, and the delivery carries a looseness that feels deliberately unpolished in the best way. It’s a reminder that Kula Shaker’s psychedelic worldview has always left room for joy, humour and light-hearted storytelling
The Winged Boy
Here, the album lifts off into more dreamlike territory. The Winged Boy floats between folk mysticism and psychedelic pop, its imagery vivid and open to interpretation. The arrangement gently expands as the track progresses, reinforcing the sense of flight and freedom suggested by the title. It’s subtle, atmospheric and quietly ambitious.
Day For Night
Day For Night is stripped back to vocals and acoustic guitar that embraces the folk styles heard throughout the album. There’s a cinematic quality to the song, as if it’s soundtracking a slow-motion scene just out of focus. The layered instrumentation builds tension without ever fully releasing it, making this one of the album’s more introspective and mood-driven tracks.
Wormslayer
As the album’s title track, Wormslayer feels deliberately placed at the heart of the record, both sonically and thematically. Musically, it drifts between a psychedelic odyssey and a heavier, riff-driven sound, its circular structure giving the track a ritualistic pull rather than a traditional verse-chorus release. The rhythm section locks into a slow, purposeful groove, grounding the song with weight and momentum.
Lyrically, Wormslayer explores imagery of struggle, transformation and inner conflict. The title suggests confronting what feeds beneath the surface — habits, fears or beliefs that quietly consume from within. Rather than offering easy answers, the song leans into symbolism, encouraging reflection and interpretation. It feels like a statement of intent, reaffirming Kula Shaker’s fascination with spirituality, self-awareness and transcendence through sound.
Dust Beneath Our Feet
Closing the album on a reflective note, Dust Beneath Our Feet strips things back. Pastoral, warm and quietly emotional, it feels like an exhale after the journey that precedes it. There’s a sense of humility in its tone — a grounding reminder of impermanence that ties together the album’s spiritual and human themes beautifully.
In an era obsessed with quick hits and short attention spans, Wormslayer is a reminder of the power of the album as an experience.
Wormslayer is a record that feels lived-in yet adventurous — the sound of a band at the top of their game whilst still pushing forward.
It’s immersive, thoughtful and richly textured — the kind of record that reveals more with every listen.
Psychedelic without being indulgent, spiritual without being preachy, and melodic without ever playing it safe, Wormslayer stands as one of the band’s most complete and confident statements to date.
Kula Shaker may have been around the block, but Wormslayer proves they’re still carving their own path, guided by instinct, belief and an unwavering love for the psychedelic unknown.
Wormslayer is released on Friday 30th January and can be pre-saved here
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