Tapeworms - 'IRL'

Genre-bending Tapeworms have returned with the new single, ‘IRL’ ahead of their upcoming UK tour in May.

Tapeworms are formed of vocalist and bassist Margot, guitarist Theo and drummer Elio. The trio are a French band who were originally dubbed a “shoegaze revival trio”. The band now explores a wide-range of sub-genres from indie-pop to electronic to art pop, with them taking inspiration from day-to-day life and their songs showcasing a wide variety of sounds filled with nostalgia.

Arriving just in time for Spring, the rebirth season, ‘IRL’ is a melting pot of digital string sections with warped sample solos. The new single follows from their 2020 debut album, ‘Funtastic’ seeing Tapeworms build their own innovative bridge between synth-pop and contorted indie. ‘IRL’ pushes the trio’s sound into new exciting directions, bringing a steady tempo and lush production that connotes images of surrealistic dreamlands.

The acronym for the new single, ‘In Real Life’ is a phrase born on social media, which was used to distinguish ‘virtual life’ to ‘real life’. ‘IRL’ is heavily inspired by the Japanese light novel ‘Haruhi Suzumiya’. The new track blends ethereal vocals with wonky pop beats, all while it brings you on the journey of relationship between dreams and real life.

‘IRL’ is accompanied by an official video, with dazzling imagery inspired by livecam websites and lifecasting macro-stars such as Jennicam. The visuals play a variety of narratives that capture the band living out their day-to-day lives.

With Tapeworms unleashing their own music and setting a new chapter for the band as they get ready to kick off their UK tour in Manchester on the 4th of May.

Words by Bethany Simms

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WTHB OnlineMarch 23, 2023Single Review, Reviews