While our focus on this website is normally to review full-length album releases, we realised we simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to check out the first solo single by Juli Hope. If you’re an afficionado of the symphonic metal genre, then you might already be familiar with Hope’s previous work. But it’s possible you are less aware of her effortless capacity to switch to other genres, unless you’re one of her many followers on YouTube. This all means you may be in for a surprise with “Imaginary Enemies“; our first taste of Hope’s upcoming solo debut album, due to be released next year.
For those who are completely new to the artist, Juli Hope is a highly talented singer, vocal coach, and multi-instrumentalist from Argentina. She started her musical development at the early age of 10, when she joined the school choir and discovered a love for vocals and contributing to music production as part of an ensemble. Her dedication grew at 13, when she decided to improve her technique and undergo classical voice training. This rewarded her with a solid foundation, along with the confidence to start exploring and experimenting with different styles of music during her adolescent years. She began to study the piano at the age of 18, and this would later lead to her graduation from the National Conservatory of Buenos Aires (where her educational studies also included the flute and cello). Her interest in rock and metal finally led her to the bass, and the start of her professional career as she began engaging in various projects that helped to broaden her experience with songwriting and live stage performances – turning her into the formidable musician she is today.
Her list of career accomplishments is impressive. In her home country, she was a member of the electro-infused Moonlight Asylum (2013-2018), accepting the duties of both bassist and vocalist on the studio album “Death is Coming” (2017). At around the same time, Hope also formed the alternative/nu metal band Breikdaun (2014-2017), which led to the release of two EPs, “Errores” (2015) and “Otro Lugar” (2016), and Hope taking on the roles of lead singer, bassist, and chief songwriter. After a brief stint in melodic death metal band Unfear, where she contributed as a vocalist to the “Chronicles of a Broken Mind” album, she found a new home in the Netherlands in 2021, and became the current singer and co-songwriter for the Argentine-Dutch symphonic metal band Abstracted Mind – who have since put out the EP “Where It Begins” EP (2025), and their debut album is set to drop in 2026.
As luck would have it, this is the same exact timeline as the planned release for Juli Hope’s debut album, which means that come next year we will be getting the best of both worlds if it all works out. Because as I hinted earlier, Hope’s solo material is a bit of a departure from her more widely-known projects. She has forgone the metal and full orchestration in favour of a more earnest and intimate approach. Musically, it is a different sound than we’re used to from Hope – more rock-focused and raw in its presentation. Yet still equally as powerful, perhaps due to the emotions expressed, which Hope states was a key motivator during the songwriting. “Imaginary Enemies” is an honest reflection on everyday challenges, and how living inside our own head can lead to a distorted perception of reality from outsiders. The idea that someone is distant or perhaps even hostile, because of their internal daydreamer tendencies, when the truth is actually the opposite. They are just struggling to be present in the moment: “I’m not staring, not even looking at you // I don’t even notice… // I’m imagining chaotic possibilities // It’s a hobby I can’t quit“. It’s an interesting examination of the social consequences of our cognitive behaviour, and the song will no doubt be quite relatable to creative personality types. As someone with an Honours degree in Psychology, this extra nuance is fascinating to me. And we can anticipate more introspective revelations on the upcoming album, as Hope has described it as “… a healing process. Transforming chaos, growth, and the long journey toward self-acceptance into music”. I can’t wait to hear it, but for now I’m more than content with this brilliant teaser. Go check it out!
Verdict: “Imaginary Enemies” heralds the start of a new chapter for Juli Hope. Fans should appreciate the edgier and more direct approach to the music this time. It is a different side of her capabilities, but certainly no less of a showcase. If this single is anything to go by, we should all keep an avid eye out for the upcoming debut album. There is lots of promise here, especially if you like rock music with a bit more depth.
