Entry 366 - Hotline Miami

 

I got this record in a trade with a good friend recently. It's been on my list of records to acquire for quite a few years and I'm glad that it's finally in my collection.

Hotline Miami is a game that I have never been able to get past the first few levels. It's way too chaotic and ends up becoming more frustrating than fun for me. The music on the other hand ranges strange to incredibly cool.

The album starts off with one of the stranger tracks. It's almost a washed out surf rock that sounds drunker than a sailor on a Saturday night bender. It's just strange... and it speaks perfectly to the ride that the listener is going to be in for during the duration of the three records in this soundtrack.

Stranger stuff aside, the majority of Hotline Miami is synthwave. This is early synthwave that came out before the current boom. It's much simpler, maybe even a bit more primitive than the current scene. It also feels more genuine than the current stuff that is being put out.

There is something about a thumping bass line, a synth lead, and four on the floor drums that makes this soundtrack stand out in a great way. You combine basic as hell synthwave with some songs that are truly off the wall strange and you got yourself a winning formula.

While Hotline Miami remains a game that I cannot get into, the soundtrack hits that sweet spot of being completely listenable while still channeling the energy of the game. This is another one of those great soundtracks that doubles as a great record as well.