Spiritual Synth-Wave For a Better Future: The Heroic Enthusiasts team up with Stephen Hague to co-produce upbeat and enlightening album ‘Illuminate’
EXTENDED ALBUM REVIEW: Illuminate by The Heroic Enthusiasts
For people who like…synth-wave, post-punk, new-wave.
The Heroic Enthusiasts and legendary producer Stephen Hague co-write and co-produce new album ‘Illuminate’. Having an extensive working relationship with Stephen – pioneer producer behind synth pop legends such as New Order, Erasure and Depeche Mode – The Enthusiasts were keen to get his input on this album, which brings an air of spirituality and subtle subversion to the contemporary synth-wave scene.
The Heroic Enthusiasts latest album Illuminate brings rays of sunshine from the very beginning with opening track All I Want, a groovy danceable unserious anthem perfect for getting down to with your significant other, for now leaving out much of the deeper philosophical themes explored in the rest of the album. As their original work with Stephen resulted in some quite dark songs both lyrically and sonically, with Illuminate they were going for more of a fun and uplifting theme – All I Want definitely brings that vibe, as does Jaded, with its fast tempo and happy-go-lucky sound.
“For Illuminate, we aimed to create a more upbeat, brighter album filled with uplifting songs. Not all the songs turned out that way, but the overall feel of Illuminate is fun, reflective, energetic, and danceable.”
Thomas Ferrara and James Tabbi (aka The Heroic Enthusiasts), have been fostering a deep and productive working relationship with Stephen Hague over the years, so it was of course an easy decision choosing him to co-produce and co-write this album.
“We had such a productive and inspiring time working with Stephen on our ‘Fits, Fashions, Crimes, Passions’ project, that it was only natural to turn to him again for Illuminate. It had been an incredibly powerful experience for us. He always seems to floor us with his ideas and passion.”
Inspired by their travels, life experiences, and Buddhist spiritual practices, with Stephen’s creative input early on The Enthusiasts nailed down song sketches and four initial seed tracks – one of those was Left A Light On, selected to be the feature track on the album, and an emphatic expression of the Buddhist teachings that guide the spiritual themes of this 10 track collection. Comprising of stanzas paraphrased from zen masters and even reiterating the final words of the Buddha – “appo deepo bhava” meaning “be the light unto yourself” – this track is a catchy fusion of eastern philosophical lyricism and contemporary western instrumentation.
“These quotes and readings from the Bhagavad Gita inspired this song, which was selected to be the feature track of Illuminate.”
Not all songs on this album are full of light though, with the next track Clear speaking of difficult reflections with dark and ominous synths to say the least. Ending on a slightly lighter, more upbeat tone, in listening to this track it’s clear that a lot of effort and refinement was put into the songwriting process, with James and Thomas engaging in something of a creative back-and-forth with Stephen on either side of the Atlantic to perfect the songs into pieces they were happy with, and would select for the album.
“It’s the exciting cycle of creating, listening critically, and then revising and refining until we all felt that the song truly captured what we were aiming for. Selecting the final 10 songs for the album was pretty much dictated by which 10 songs best fit our vision, and fulfilled our intended direction.”
Another song with less happy and fun tones, which explores darker more critical concepts is Wake Me When It’s Over. When asked about the ideas behind this song, James Tabbi’s explanation leaves me drawing a direct relation to much of the geopolitical events playing out across the world today, and the deep frustration that comes with them. With such a relatable title, and the music and lyrics adding significance, to me this is perhaps the most meaningful track from Illuminate.
“Wake Me When It’s Over expresses frustration and exhaustion in a stagnant situation, yearning for clarity to break the cycle. Don’t we all desire a significant event for change? Unfortunately, history repeats, forcing us to endure painful times similar to those of our predecessors.”
Songs that The Enthusiasts find particularly significant themselves are Kiss Me Tonight and Play The Part. Thomas shares the below about the Kiss Me Tonight lyrics.
“I am quite fond of the ‘Kiss Me Tonight’ lyrics. They mean a lot to me because the song was inspired by an uncertain time in my life. Then, working on it with James, the lyrics morphed from a linear love song to one with a double entendre. See if you can figure it out.”
James then shares how the idea behind Play The Part was developed to become something much different to what they initially set out to write.
“Between the three of us, the song shifted and morphed into a story of two young lovers who meet during the production of a play and fall for each other through the process of reading, playing, and then living their parts.”
Thomas tells me his overall favourite part of creating this album was “…the results of the growing chemistry between James and me; and the positive trajectory and chemistry working with maestro Stephen Hague.”
Their intention may have been to create a fun and uplifting album, which they have done for the most part; but looked at more closely Illuminate is not simply celebrating the joy of human existence and fruits of civilisation, but rather illuminating both the tyrannies of modern society and a brighter path for humanity. James speaks of how the “post-punk and new-wave revival”, Illuminate being part of that, can encapsulate the anti-establishment aggression of traditional punk music in more subtle, subversive and atmospheric ways.
“As post-punk artists, we move beyond simple anti-establishment slogans and embrace more complex lyrical themes with greater depth. Post-punk and New Wave revival allow for more atmospheric and subtly subversive ways of conveying our political and social commentary. We want to retain the anger and energy of punk while channeling it into more abstract and less overtly aggressive forms of expression.”
Closing track Confessional is a clever juxtaposition of challenging dark tones, at times expressed through the sounds and lyrics, alongside the bold hope and optimism that ultimately makes Illuminate a very positive and enlightening album. Elevating synth progressions and lyrics that convey honest reflections end the album on a high.
Thomas speaks of the most prominent social challenge that he believes should be illuminated in the world today: that being unregulated, limitless capitalism.
“Sadly, capitalism is failing humanity. Our global trade system is widening extreme inequality, driving unsustainable environmental destruction through its growth imperative. The focus on profit and competition will ultimately undermine the long-term prospects and well-being of humanity and the planet.”
In true illuminating fashion, he goes on to suggest better paths that could be taken, and ways of organising society that would preserve spiritual well-being as well as environmental health. In doing so he lends more meaning and significance to stand-out tracks from the album Left The Light On and Wake Me When It’s Over.
“Perhaps a better-regulated and more socially conscious form of capitalism can serve as a powerful engine for sustained innovation, prosperity, and equity; but we are moving away from such controls and further toward economic chaos.”
Perhaps this is the hidden purpose behind the seemingly fun, happy and uplifting sounds and words of Illuminate – to shine a light on the brighter and more positive capabilities of our societies and cultures. We’re certainly not there yet, but with independent artists like The Heroic Enthusiasts and Stephen Hague, we are at least reminded of the direction we should be going. While speaking of the responsibilities independent artists have in terms of bringing hope for a better future, Thomas leaves us with some poignant final words about the overarching mission behind their music.
