Hotspot
NIGHT TRAVELER (2024) 90/100
By Ross Keegan Favourite Tracks: Don’t Go Dark, Love Nobody Else, Damage
If you’ve ever needed an album that just gets you—one that fits the mood whether you’re driving at night, unwinding in your room, or reminiscing about old memories—then Hotspot is for you. From the very first listen, this album transported me straight back to my university accommodation, LED lights glowing purple, music on full blast, lost in the moment. It’s been a long time since an album made me hit replay this many times in a row, but Hotspot managed it effortlessly.
NIGHT TRAVELER has mastered the art of reverb-soaked guitars, smooth yet impassioned vocals, and that dreamlike atmosphere that lets you escape from reality for a little while. Adam Fischer’s voice carries so much raw emotion—his breaks and cracks feel almost intentional, like they’re meant to hit you right in the heart. And while some might say the album stays within a certain pocket, and that for this reason the rating should be lower. I think it’s part of its magic. It sticks to its signature sound, but within that, it plays with different paces and textures to keep things feeling fresh. I will not be throwing 90+ rated reviews, this albums has been an instant contender for one of my favourite albums.
Take Hotspot, for example. It was my gateway into the album, a song that popped up on my Spotify recommendations and immediately had me hooked. The way it builds, the way the riff kicks in, the way the synths and soaring guitar solo completely take over—it’s the kind of track that reminds you why you love music in the first place. I knew right then that I had to hear the rest of this album.
And it didn’t disappoint. Love Nobody Else shifts gears slightly, a slower, more delicate song, but one that lets the intricate guitar work really shine. Lyrically, it’s beautiful—effortlessly capturing emotion without overcomplicating things. The balance between stripped-back verses and the subtly powerful chorus makes it a standout.
Not every track landed quite as hard for me. Broken Records felt a little too slow, missing some of the depth that makes the other tracks so captivating. But right after that, Don’t Go Dark pulled me right back in. This one has it all—Fischer’s vocals dripping with passion, an explosive chorus, and a bridge that lyrically and vocally breaks your heart and injects some real grit into the record. Add in yet another phenomenal guitar solo, and this track became an instant favorite.
The album’s softer moments aren’t to be overlooked either. Under Your Spell takes the stripped-back approach of Broken Records but executes it flawlessly. The harmonies in the verses are hypnotic, and when the chorus arrives, it doesn’t overpower—it just feels right. The same can be said for Stick Around, where the focus shifts slightly away from the guitar and towards the vocals and harmonies, showing just how versatile this duo can be.
Now, there are definitely a couple of tracks that lean into “filler” territory, but even then, they don’t feel like throwaways. Honey and Vampires might not be the first songs I’d reach for, but they still carry that same smooth atmosphere and impeccable production that makes Hotspot so immersive.
And then there’s Damage. This track is pure beauty. The small sound effects woven into the synths create an atmosphere that’s both haunting and soothing, giving Fischer’s vocals the perfect space to shine. The guitar solo is, once again, unreal—but it’s the moment after that hits the hardest. A simple phrase, repeated over and over, and somehow, that repetition makes it even more powerful. This song easily could have closed the album, and honestly, it would have been a perfect way to end things.
But instead, we get The One You Love—a track that feels almost like a bonus moment, a final scene in a coming-of-age movie. It’s warm, nostalgic, and a fitting way to wrap up this incredible listening experience.
At the end of the day, Hotspot is an album that does exactly what I want music to do: transport me. It brings back memories, creates new ones, and offers an escape into a sound that feels both fresh and familiar. Sure, some songs are stronger than others, but as a whole, this album is something special. I haven’t stopped listening to it front to back for over a week, and honestly? I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Back to the start for another listen.