Hemendex Offer Solutions To Reality

Eastern Europe seems to always be one of the hottest locations on the planet for 80s inspired synth music that aims for the authenticity of vintage sounds as a priority. Modern elements are often included as a complimentary bonus, more than the backbone of the music and in Hemendex's new record we're given a totally rockin mix of quality early 80s synth pop that has then been frosted with just enough modern details to give it a time and space. These rockers from Zagreb, Croatia have just released a new album, Solution To Reality, and it is something that I've found absolutely captivating.

The Hemendex soundscape is a mix of Cold War European electro synth, akin to Monuments' and Linear Movement's work, but give a glossy pink splash of Duran Duran's bassline driven synthpop. The combination of sounds works amazingly well with Hemendex being a three piece band allowing for a very live and electric feel to their music. It's not often I get to say on Synthetix.FM how I'd love to see modern producers of 80s inspired synth music perform live, but a Hemendex live show would be something I'd be in raptures over.



Theres a harder/80s indie edge to Hemendex's sound that is highly energetic. The vocals are delivered with cutting sarcasm and biting commentary and very little about Hemendex's sound falls into the traditional synth categories I usually cover on Synthetix.FM but there is no denying this music is fashioned from vibrant 80s colours, painted with strong strokes, from a hugely palette in a refreshing and bold manner.

In each song I hear new and old sounds combining in a way that honours them and re-envisages them. The opening song, 'Faith In War', I've previously covered in a Weekend Update on here, but it must reiterated how well Hemendex capture the New Order ambiance with the bass and guitars while adding their own flavours on top. The social commentary in the lyrics is also done in a very 80s-indie manner with glorious metaphors and a delightful air of cynicism the post-punk bands of the early 80s would be proud of.

With 'Pick Me Up' we get to experience a spectacular revision of Duran Duran's sounds taken out the back of Europe and toughened up into a streetwise anthem. The groove is solid and deep and the synths  dance with electronic precision while the vocals add the extra bite to the synthscape. 'Initial Ideas' takes the direction into purely synth driven pop drama with the vocals taking on indignant bitterness that does a beautiful job of conveying frustrations while keeping things super catchy as the final chapters become sublimely anthemic.

The album keeps the pace up and rockin hard with third chapter 'Song In A Minor' with pulsating synth melodies offering a frenetic companion to even more totally kick arse lyrics providing an eloquent dissertation on night club rendezvous betwixt DJ's and patrons. A bitterness flavours the entire episode and some carefully considered elements of self loathing creep in too. Very nicely done.

The short interlude of 'TV Zagreb' leads into the title track, and it's only really here that I find the album falters a little and the songwriting seems to switch to a more indie-90s flavour. It feels a bit lacking in passion, but that is then contrasted by the return to form in the next track 'Fall Together'. This is  the perfect nihilistic three and a half minute synth pop song with loads 80s love and another catchy chorus delivered while song evolves and builds with an action packed structure.

'Safe From Ghosts' comes up next, adding another little oddity to the album. I can hear elements of The Cure's more synth oriented music here, but at just over ninety seconds the experience is over before it begins. More indirect channeling of New Order can be felt in the second last song, 'Just Because' as Peter Hook style lines drive the chorus. The overall tone of the track is leaning towards modern sounds and styles, but Hemendex walk a line between both worlds spectacularly well, especially with a delightful homage to Duran Duran's Save A Prayer wending it's way through the background of the experience.

The final track on the album is one of the strongest as the chorus refrain is drilled in early as synths and bass join voice in unison for a quirky track that is full of 80s love. The simplistic nature of the song is what gives it so much charm and this uncomplicated story is allowed to hit with maximum impact. This could quite happily be a Missing Persons lost single from 1983, which is most righteous.

Hemendex's latest album is full of rockin ideas packaged and performed in a way that I find really captures the spirit of early 80s synth pop. The lyrics and melodies are crafted with great skill and although the modern touches can become a little to prominent on some tracks, for my tastes, the overall experience is absolutely engaging in an uncommon manner. There are few of the well worn 80s trappings in this album, nothing feels like it's trying to 'do' 80s sounds in a one dimensional way, instead Hemendex continue the magic and lineage from the early 80s synth pop movements with an unabashed honesty and their own individual vision.

Hemendex present the Solution To Reality album on their Bandcamp page, here at a name-your-own-price point. Synthetix.FM highly recommends this album to those of you wanting a more biting edge to your 80s inspired synthpop, with a minimum of bubblegum, but a whole lot of rockin. Be sure to follow Hemendex on their soundcloud page here and give these rockers some well deserved love and support.

Synthetix Weekend Update

Another totally kick arse compilation has been released to celebrate the first anniversary of Telefuture Records. This label has been instrumental in bringing to light many talented producers in the last year including scene favourites like Garth Knight, Makeup & Vanity, Le Cassette, Collins, Arcade High and Rolly Mingwald, amongst others.

One: A Telefuture Compilation presents all new tracks from these artists and many more at a 'name-your-own-price' point on their Bandcamp page here. Make sure you grab a copy and support this fantastic label.

Now, let's rock the latest Synthetix Weekend Update!


First up is a totally killer new track from Final DJ's. 'Flash In The Night' is a return to the classic 80s synth sounds for this duo, flavoured with a modern dancefloor energy. This is one half of their latest EP, with the their piece 'Los Angeles' providing the other side. This FREE EP is available through the link the player, so get it switched on ASAP.




Foreign Blade is building the momentum for his new release Electric Dusk rapidly by sharing two tracks from it this week. 'Night Life' was my favourite of the two, but Crystal City is also very impressive. This smooth twilight synth piece is perfectly executed with an understated ambiance that is tremendously engaging. I'm definitely looking forward to the release of Electric Dusk, which is at this stage still un-dated.




Fantastisizer is back with a moody new morsel of synthtacular sounds with his latest 'The Dark Sun'. Minimalist in presentation but also full of character and personality I love the narrative that builds throughout this piece. It's thought provoking and delightfully introspective from beginning to end.




DigitalNativeDance is spreading his creative wings into some seriously sensual synthscapes with his latest experience 'Ocean Drive-Through'. The languid nature of this track is completely enthralling, time begins to slow and the sights and sounds of the seaside begin to permeate through. Sublimely orchestrated with every element working together in perfect symbiosis. This is currently available for FREE download currently.




Keeping on the same track, but moving into more urban surrounds is 'Take The D-Train' from the always rockin Amazing Police. Melodies are are vibrant and colourful against a buckled down funk bassline. The mid point break down and consequent rebuilding is absolutely k-rad to the max.




Another rocker who's got the funky flow this week is Rutger Megahertz and his teaser for a new track called 'Tension'. The sparse synthscape reverberates with sexual tensions and teasing glimpses. The experience is still to be fully realised, but this two minute teaser is still available for FREE download.




Time for some high energy synth pop and Sady K Diskostar's totally rockin new song 'Ich Bin Nicht Wie Du'. Even being in german language this song is full of nocturnal adventures and sensual promises with a huge percussion track and synths that soar majestically with the vocals. This is the first track from the upcoming album '1981', which I hope is going to be released soon.



The Boy & Sister Alma are back with a superb new rockin track 'Tom's Cruise'. This is one hell of a ride with a totally killer guitar track and, once again, a hugely catchy chorus. The songwriting is beautiful throughout this experience and displays a great knowledge of understanding what makes 80s style pop so wonderful. 'Tom's Cruise' is currently available for FREE download.




It's time to welcome Hemendex into the Synthetix.FM family with their new song 'Faith In War'. This band from Croatia do a radical mix of New Order and earlier UK synth pop styles, and also have an excellent message to their music. There's a lot to love about the Hemendex experience and I'll be sure to  be giving them lots more love on Synthetix.FM in the future. 'Faith In War' is also available for FREE download. Be sure to check out their other rockin tunes on soundcloud too.




Bending the concepts of reality ever so slightly is the new SPF5Ø track 'フェティッシュ' which loosely translates as 'Fetish'. This vampiric cacophony of synth sounds is accented by spoken word samples and I do believe an obscure Billy Idol sample. It's riveting all the way through and it's elements of ChipTune rawness add even more intrigue. Available for FREE download at this time




While we're in the twilight zone of 80s inspired synth it's a good time to take a trip to 'Golden Pond' with Toasters & Dreams. This unsettling piece swirls synths around pointed samples from the movie On Golden Pond, while percussive drama and flourishes from other parts of the cosmos complete the soundscape. It's an uncommon combination that Toasters & Dreams manages to pull off exceptionally well. Available for FREE download, also.




I must say, I do have a penchant for the odd bit of vaporwave. It's not a style I listen to a lot, but I find it provides a delightfully engaging alternate 80s dimension. Sgreyes has taken the vaporwave pill with his new track 'Provincial Fashion' and his hazy dreamlike loops make for an interesting adventure. Sounds obtain much more clarity than the usual vaporwave fare and this adds a much more defined and solid nature to the soundscape.  Stellar work, as always, from Sgreyes.




Taking the on-ramp to excitement is the rockin new track from RF.Extreme 'Speed Daze'. The powerhouse drum track compliments the slow motion rhythm melodies incredibly well, the experience is constructed with the right amount of questions and answers throughout the narrative. It's simplicity belies it's energy and that's what makes it rock so very hard.




We're already up to Version 4 of Lost Years new experience 'The Other Side Of You'. The last couple of revisions really expanded upon the initial ideas and through this current incarnation we're told a much deeper story. The Lost Years soundscape is always so precisely engineered, this piece really makes that pinpoint sharp dynamic of the Lost Years experience a priority.




A rare treat from Professor Zonic Zynth as he has shared his track 'Contact' as also being a FREE download. This producer is near the top of my short list of producers who I really think need to release a full album, which will hopefully occur sooner rather than later. Getting back to 'Contact' we're taken on much more ambient space themed excursion that hypnotises with it's melodic refrains and dazzles with it's otherworldliness.




Our final piece in this week's Weekend Update is a compendium of free tracks previously released by synth romance raconteur Rain Sword. This is a must-have release for all fans of quality 80s inspired synth music and goes a great way to solidify Rain Sword as one of the true artistes in the field. These eleven tracks  encompass many and varied genres of vintage sound and all are filled to overflowing with golden neon 80s magic. Pick this up through the player or click here to go directly to Rain Sword's  Bandcamp page.



That does us for another rockin Weekend Update. I'll be back during the week with more good times and great rock'n'roll but there won't be a Weekend Update next weekend, I'll be having some time away but will be back with more radical action the following week.

'Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin.