From David Bowie to Sam Ryder, not forgetting a brief stop at the S Club along the way, pop music has long been obsessed with outer space. This phenomenon is perhaps unsurprising when considering the escapism from world events that it has long provided listeners with – indeed, what is more escapist than actually departing planet Earth?
In many ways, HENGE are the embodiment of this cosmic ideation taken to its most extreme degree: not only do they indulge the fantasy of space travel, but they provide listeners with a pathway to it, specifically through an all-expenses paid trip to a distant planet known as Voltus B. The four-piece, who each claim to have originated in different corners of the galaxy, have spent the last 10 years regaling Earthlings with disparate stories from the known universe and beyond. 'Journey To Voltus B', their fourth album, is the most accommodating yet for its tellurian audience, providing an immersive, chronological account of the process of planet hopping, whilst simultaneously providing a cautionary tale to the people of this planet.
This ambitious undertaking can only be encompassed in an equally bold musical style. Fortunately, HENGE rise to the occasion, with what they call “Cosmic Dross”: a signature sound developed and honed throughout their years of interplanetary exploration. To the human ear, it is a meeting point between indie-electronica, hyperpop, and chiptune, capturing the chaos of the cosmos with impressive precision.
NOTE: In this review, I will endeavour to capture Cosmic Dross to the best of my ability. Sadly, my limitations as a human make this a nigh-on impossible task: Zpor, HENGE’s lead singer who originates from the long dead planet of Agricular, has previously explained that the genre is not definable with human language. Nevertheless, to all human readers, I hope that I can provide you with a rough understanding of the music of our intergalactic neighbours. To any off-planet beings who may come across this review, please be assured that no offence is intended in its writing, and that I approach your culture purely from a position of wonder and admiration.
We join HENGE mere seconds before lift-off, as the countdown bellows over blaring synths dutifully provided by Grok, the human who initially brought his fellow bandmates to this planet. 'Ascending' is a disorienting beginning to the record, but this is absolutely necessary in order to faithfully recreate the feelings of launching into space. The barely decipherable, Daft Punk-style vocals barking out protocols evoke a feeling of powerlessness as the experienced flyers ensure that the trip goes as smoothly as possible for the first-timers onboard.
Fortunately, on 'Slingshot', the rest of the crew (us, the listeners) are caught up with the proceedings. Zpor takes this opportunity to explain the mechanics of space travel, all whilst Nom’s pulsing drums leave everyone aware of the urgency with which operations must be undertaken in order to avert disaster. Fortunately for anyone experiencing travel sickness, this breakneck pace is slowed on the ambient 'Hypersleep'. Space travel is a time-consuming ordeal, and in order for the human body to withstand it, we need to be placed under a suitably deep slumber that can make a thousand light years pass by in the blink of an eye.
For this reason, the reprieve is short, as we are awoken with a start on 'Descending', a predominantly bass-led instrumental soundtracking the approach to Voltus B, before 'Welcome To Voltus' familiarises listeners with their destination. In Voltus, we find a planet at a crossroads: its inhabitants have just discovered atomic power and its potential, and are engaged in vociferous debate about how to harness it.
If you’ve read up to this point, it should be apparent to you that this record presents its futurism with tongue firmly in cheek. Amongst the silliness, though, is a genuinely novel use of technology. Following the conclusion of 'Welcome To Voltus', the vinyl version of 'Journey To Voltus B' utilises concentric grooves, a pressing method in which two tracks are pressed onto the same side, leaving it completely up to chance which one the needle catches.
HENGE incorporate this into 'The Power of the Atom', which has two different versions concentrically pressed: the fusion version, which documents the timeline where Voltus’ people choose to use nuclear power to create clean energy; and the winter version, which explores a darker future, where nuclear power is used for war. From there, two entirely different closing tracks spawn accordingly, detailing the multiverse outcomes of the planet. 'Nuclear Fusion' is a triumphant closer, whereas 'Nuclear Winter' is a sparse, minor-key affair, accompanied by a voice detailing all of the dire environmental consequences of nuclear warfare. Call me a pessimist if you like, but I vastly prefer this iteration of the album’s end: the eeriness of the track, as Voltus’s prognosis is emotionlessly laid out so incisively, hammers home the allegory that HENGE are so obviously telling throughout this album.
Clocking in at just over 27 minutes on both versions, 'Journey to Voltus B; is careful not to overstay its welcome. With a concept that is so overtly gimmicky and a sound that matches, it would be easy for both the messaging and instrumental to become overbearing and annoying if overexposed to it. HENGE seem well aware of this fact, and thus have worked to ensure that all the fat is trimmed, leaving a concise, impactful piece of work behind. Though the seemingly expansive concept belies a simplistic, well-trodden moral centre, the genuinely unique use of its medium to convey this message makes 'Journey to Voltus B' a must-listen album, especially for vinyl enthusiasts. You will struggle to find a more creative use of your turntable on any other record you buy this year.
Words: Ali Glen
Photos: HENGE
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