New music from R.M. Hendrix

Boston-based experimental musician and producer R.M. Hendrix is on a constant quest to explore the fringes of his unique sonic vision. With a unique blend of psychedelic, trip hop, shoegaze and indie rock, Hendrix crafts a sound unlike anything else. His music is a thrilling journey into the uncharted territories of sonic exploration, and his latest release, “Automaton (Turn Yourself On),” is another superb example of his original output.

Hendrix’s musical journey began in the early 2010s, marked by a series of shoegaze EPs that hinted at the experimental direction he would later explore. Over the years, his discography has evolved to tap a range of different styles including electronica, trip hop and ambient soundscapes. Influenced by artists as diverse as Seefeel, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Boards of Canada and Deerhunter, Hendrix’s work showcases the depth of his creativity and talent as a producer.

A significant chapter of Hendrix’s artistic journey occurred this year in Reykjavik, Iceland. In August, he dropped Blindur, an EP that introduced a cinematic character to his music, blending haunting atmospheres with his experimentalism. Shortly after, Hendrix followed up with a melancholic double-A single, “Drugs/Wet Work.”

Now, just in time for Halloween, he brings us his latest release with the single titled “Automaton (Turn Yourself On),” recorded in three distinct sessions spanning Los Angeles, Reykjavik and his hometown of Boston. Laying down an intense synth-driven experimental electronic cut, the song is written about an AI entity that loses control, resurrects itself and seek revenge, leading to a nuclear fallout apocalypse.

Opened by the buzz of a gritty synth pulse, the patter of drums sets up the uptempo energy for the spacey layers of vocals to enter. As the drums pick up pace, they then drop out before launching back into the lively sound of subtly haunting vocals carrying bleak storytelling lyricism as eerie synth tones ride above the relentless rumble of the bass synth.

Adding intensity with a dark, spoken word style vocal delivery, the song builds to a rousing crescendo of furiously energetic drums and layers of competing synth tones. It’s an enthralling finale to this extraordinarily original new track from an innovative artist who always offers something entirely new.

Listen to Automaton (Turn Yourself On) below

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