Clinton Township, MI—Detroit-born synth-pop innovator JH-X9, the artistic alter ego of Justin Horbes, is making waves with his latest single, "Heavy Water". Known for crafting music that merges moody industrial textures with danceable rhythms, JH-X9’s new track offers a mesmerizing blend of fluid melodic layers, mechanical beats, and haunting monotone vocals that linger long after the song ends.
"'Heavy Water' started out as a cyclical melodic line,” JH-X9 explains. “I was getting a fluid and a little melancholy, a little ominous vibes. One of the keyboards I used, a Roland D-10, gave the track that oceanic, melodic theme, kind of inspired by the new age music of Enya, but twisted into a more mechanical and danceable sound."
The song demonstrates JH-X9’s signature ability to balance a mechanical, industrial tone with rhythmic components that compel movement. "The rhythmic component is what determines how danceable a track will be," he says. Layering arpeggiated bass lines with a driving mechanical beat, he constructs an atmosphere that is both hypnotic and immersive, inviting listeners to feel the music in a variety of settings, from the dance floor to the car to quiet introspection at home.
Drawing from Detroit’s rich legacy as the birthplace of techno, JH-X9 embraces a mechanical, automated sound, reflecting the city’s industrial heritage. "Detroit techno is a bit more mechanical, and it’s got that robotic, factory-esque sound, which I try to incorporate into my music. I also used a vocoder for backing vocals to give it a semi-human, robotic undertone."
JH-X9’s production techniques blend traditional electronic instrumentation with innovative sound design, while earlier in his career, he experimented with recording percussive sounds from pots, pans, and junk metal. "Heavy Water" uses hardware synthesizers to create clangy, percussive textures and deep 808-style bass, achieving a polished and professional sound that reflects his growth as a producer.
Since its release, "Heavy Water" has already garnered attention from DJs and mix shows specializing in darker electronic music, the track was recently featured on the Communion After Dark mix show, which highlights Gothic and darkwave music, as well as on Synthentral, a show dedicated to synth-pop and electronic exploration, listeners have praised the track for its fluidity, danceable structure, and haunting atmosphere.
"Stylistically, the music I’m working on now is about showcasing versatility," JH-X9 notes, "I incorporate a wide range of influences, Eurobeat, J-pop, industrial, techno, and I think 'Heavy Water' reflects that evolution. It’s stylistically unique, but it’s also distinctly me."
For fans and new listeners alike, "Heavy Water" provides an opportunity to experience JH-X9’s distinctive approach to electronic music, where melody, mechanical textures, and rhythm converge to create something immersive and unforgettable.
About JH-X9
JH-X9 is the alter ego of Justin Horbes. Born in 1999 in Metro-Detroit, Michigan, he released his debut album as JH-X9 in 2016 while still in high school. Over the years, his music has received coverage from international music blogs and radio shows, including X-Ray FM’s Songs From Under The Floorboard and Italy-based Whitelight//Whiteheat. JH-X9 performed his first live show in 2019, opening for French coldwave duo Lovataraxx, and continues to fuse industrial, techno, and synth-driven sounds into moody, mechanical, and danceable tracks that push the boundaries of electronic music.
"Heavy Water" is available now on all major streaming platforms.
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