With Illuminate, The Heroic Enthusiasts—the duo of vocalist James Tabbi and guitarist Thomas Ferrara—have crafted an album that bridges eras, blending the icy sophistication of their post-punk roots with the shimmering precision of modern synth-pop. Co-written and produced by legendary hitmaker Stephen Hague (New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Depeche Mode), the record is both a love letter to the past and a bold step forward, proving that intelligent, meticulously crafted pop still has a place in today’s fractured musical landscape.
From “All i want” to the melancholic glow of “confessional,” Illuminate is a masterclass in atmospheric storytelling. Hague’s fingerprints are unmistakable—crisp drum programming, lush synth layers, and melodies that lodge themselves in the subconscious—but Tabbi and Ferrara’s artistic identity remains front and center. Tracks like “Come Find Me Inside” and “Euro Star” balance new wave nostalgia with contemporary urgency, while “Jaded” and “Wake Me When It’s Over” channel the existential weight of our times into soaring, anthemic refrains.
The album grapples with isolation, resilience, and the search for meaning in an increasingly chaotic world. “It’s been striking to experience our rise during such a dark time,” Tabbi reflects. “We must make our own light.” That tension—between despair and defiance—fuels Illuminate, giving even its most danceable moments (“Play The Part”) an undercurrent of emotional depth. Ferrara’s guitar work, meanwhile, adds a cinematic grandeur, weaving through Hague’s pristine production like a shadow cutting through neon.
The album’s meticulous craftsmanship is no surprise given its pedigree, but what impresses most is its heart. Whether reimagining ’80s classics (their haunting “It’s A Sin” cover) or delivering originals that feel instantly timeless (“Left A Light On”), The Heroic Enthusiasts never lose sight of the human pulse beneath the electronics.
Illuminate is more than a triumph of collaboration; it’s a beacon of what pop music can be when artistry and ambition collide. For fans of New Order’s melancholy grooves or Pet Shop Boys’ wit, this is essential listening—an album that glows in the dark. Connect With The Heroic Enthusiasts on Instagram and Spotify
