Hotline TNT, the NYC-based project led by Will Anderson, presents a bold and engaging full-length album titled ‘Raspberry Moon,’ released through Third Man Records.
‘Raspberry Moon,’ recorded by Amos Pitsch, seems to signify a turning point for the band, which has long balanced chaos with clarity. Hailing from Wisconsin, both Pitsch and frontman Will Anderson bring a sense of familiarity and precision to the sessions. With Anderson now supported by a full band, the album refines their sound, maintaining the fuzzed-out charm characteristic of their earlier work. At its core, this is a shoegaze album that opens up to include elements of slacker rock wit, power-pop melodies, and genuine emotional depth.
The album begins with the slow-building track “Was I Wrong?” that creates a minute and a half of tension before the drums make their entrance. This track serves as a sonic declaration, featuring shimmering acoustic sounds and soaring solos reminiscent of The Swirlies, coupled with lyrics that deliver a smirking punch – “…your bank account overdrawn.”
This unfiltered emotionality carries on into “The Scene,” the album's weightiest song. Its genesis came from a creative block; Anderson was struggling to make another demo work, ultimately abandoning it to write “The Scene.” Its central line expresses a sense of pleading pain – “Maxine, if you really loved me, make a scene” – yet offers a moment of pause with a piano bridge that momentarily clears the distortion before it all crashes back in.
Throughout the record, a strong sense of contrast is prevalent, both in the production and in Anderson’s vocal delivery.
Tracks like “Transition Lens” and “Break Right” emphasize mood and texture, merging ‘80s synths with abstract percussion, creating a sound that lies somewhere between Alex G and nostalgic memory. In contrast, songs such as “Julia’s War” and “Candle” are effortlessly catchy, with a sound reminiscent of Blink-182 processed through a Ride pedalboard. Even the most sentimental lyrics – “they don’t hold a candle to you” – feel casually believable thanks to Anderson’s straightforward honesty, which adds to the album's overall impact.
Despite its emotional depth, ‘Raspberry Moon’ never feels weighed down. There are moments that break through the moodiness, providing illumination. The album’s underlying message of hope suggests that although times may be tough, it’s perfectly acceptable to seek something better. Some tracks are drenched in delay and swirling sounds, while others possess a raw, live-in-the-basement feel.
With a U.S. headlining tour approaching, Hotline TNT appears to be a band hitting its stride – loud, scrappy, and focused.
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© Graham Tolbert
an album by Hotline TNT
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Hotline TNT, the New York City project led by Will Anderson, reveals everything on ‘Raspberry Moon’: a distinctly catchy, witty, and hook-laden album released through Third Man Records.