Hex: The UK's Pioneering Electronic Rock Architect
Hex is the innovative electronic rock project masterminded by British producer and multi-instrumentalist Liam Howlett. Emerging from Bristol's influential music scene, the artist achieved a major commercial milestone with the 2018 album "The Machinery of Joy," which debuted at number 12 on the UK Albums Chart and received a silver certification for sales exceeding 60,000 copies.
Early career
Hex began as Liam Howlett's solo studio endeavor in 2010, following his departure from the indie band The Violet Hour. Drawing from Bristol's rich history of trip-hop and big beat, Howlett spent several years crafting a dense, layered sound that fused aggressive guitar riffs with complex synthetic programming. His self-released 2013 EP, "Signal Noise," caught the attention of the independent label Circuit Breaker Records, which signed him the following year.
Breakthrough
The project's breakthrough arrived in 2017 with the single "Glass Cutter." The track's viral success on alternative music platforms led to heavy rotation on BBC Radio 1, propelling it to number 28 on the UK Singles Chart. This momentum set the stage for the 2018 debut album "The Machinery of Joy," a critical and commercial success that firmly established Hex's signature industrial-tinged electronic rock sound.
Key tracks
Glass Cutter — This breakthrough single defined the Hex sound with its punishing synth bass and became a staple on alternative radio.
Neon Fever Dream — Featured in several major video game trailers, this track expanded Hex's audience into the gaming world.
The Machinery of Joy — The ambitious title track from the debut album showcased Howlett's skill at composing intricate, multi-movement electronic rock.
Black Codex — A notable collaboration with vocalist Rina Sawayama, this 2021 single demonstrated Hex's evolving, more melodic direction.
Expanding the sonic blueprint
Following the debut's success, Hex released the sophomore album "Resonant Frequency" in 2021. The record explored more atmospheric territory while maintaining a rhythmic drive, earning positive reviews for its production depth. Howlett has since become a sought-after collaborator and remixer, working on tracks for artists like Bring Me The Horizon and contributing production to the 2023 EP by Enter Shikari.
Hex's music draws clear inspiration from the aggressive electronics of Pendulum, while also sharing a textural approach with the experimental rock of Everything Everything. The project continues to be a dominant force in the UK's electronic rock landscape, headlining festivals like Download and frequently appearing in the playlists of online rock radio streams and independent music radio stations.
Hex's catalog is a regular feature in the rotation of classic rock FM stations that embrace modern heavy electronics and alternative rock radio stations worldwide. Listeners can consistently hear tracks from "The Machinery of Joy" and "Resonant Frequency" across a spectrum of dedicated rock and alternative formats.
You can discover the powerful electronic rock of Hex by tuning into the radio stations featured on our website. Listen to his music on various rock and alternative stations available on onairium.com, where his key tracks remain in heavy rotation.
