From the top of Raspberry Moonlight, I got the immediate impression I was listening to The Traveling Wilburys of Shoegaze. The densely layered guitar intro of “Was I Wrong?” dropped me into the deep end of Hotline TNT’s brash and clanging world, and I didn’t want to concern myself with finding an exit anytime soon. 

Though I’ll admit, calling them Shoegaze isn’t quite fair in my book. Shoegaze usually has a swampy, spacey feel to it that allows the edges of each instrument to blur into each other, but Hotline TNT feels very present. Very direct. The guitars are massive and the drums are pumping, but the vocals direct the songs in a way that’s all very focused. It’s that clarity that gets me so excited for Raspberry Moon. 

Another huge point-winner for me is that a lot of the vocals are doubled and harmonized instead of being washed out in the mix. Songs like “The Scene” and “Julia’s War” feel like Oasis meeting …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of The Dead. If that combo sounds exciting to you, then you’re in the right place. There’s enough power, grit, and pop present to start a revolution. 

For those of us just discovering the group, “Julia’s War” was the first single for the record. Having heard the album ahead of its release (I’m sorry, I don’t mean for that to be a flex), it all connects so smoothly that I didn’t quite hearing anything in the context of a single. Listening back to “Julia’s War” as an independent composition though, I think it was the perfect choice for a single. The whole album is anthemic, but this tracks does a good job of concisely encapsulating that feel. 

“Letter to Life” in another great track that showcases the larger than life mix of the record which elevates each of these tracks. The combination of doubled acoustic and electric rhythm guitars as well as gnashing leads just does wonders to my guitar nerd heart.

Proving they’re not exclusively wrapped around six strings and effects pedals, “Break Right” and “Dance the Night Away” help break up the mix with pianos and… jingle bells? Is that really what I’m hearing? More importantly, why does it work so well? Who even suggested that?! Christmas came early though, because this song could very well be a Hallmark movie soundtrack for a Noise Rocker who falls for the local goth Graffiti Artist. 

The flow of Raspberry Moonlight feels important for me to point out as well. While the first half of the collection feels very much like a good live show, the back half of the record takes chances and allows for a more tender side of the band to come out. “Where U Been?” closes the album with a beautiful combination of the two halves. Having both intimate and tender moments as well as more explosive ones, it’s the perfect finale.

Hotline TNT are making some of the most exciting guitar-based music of the decade. Their sound is thick, but doesn’t wear long on the ears even after several listens through. Raspberry Moonlight is a passionate and ravaging listen that will surely put the group into the top tier of Third Man Records’ heavy hitters which is a huge feat on its own. Whether you feel like smashing some lamps or tuning out the world outside, Hotline TNT’s latest offering is the summer soundtrack for you.