Gothic indie Americana band Del Roscoe has released “Black Hats,” the latest single from their upcoming self-titled debut album, out August 22nd via Waydrift Records. Following the atmospheric “A Few More Miles” and the poignant “Train Train,” the new track shows a darker, more defiant side of the Atlanta-based outfit.
Built on driving acoustic guitar, taut rhythms, and the band’s signature blend of layered harmonies and weathered instrumentation, “Black Hats” is as much a warning as it is a rallying cry. Written by lead vocalist Robert Lee, the song depicts an ominous figure who spreads lies and fear from town to town to gain control.
“This song is a commentary on the current climate in America and beyond,” says Lee. “The figure in the song represents the worst of humanity – the judge, jury, and executioner. It’s a condemnation of those who live on greed and control, and a reminder to good people not to be submissive or follow blindly. The world is full of ‘black hats.’ Beware.”
The track’s narrative unfolds with cinematic intensity. Lee’s lead vocal is flanked by Tim Lee’s mandolin and harmonies, Yanaëlle Cornez’s electric guitar lines, Steve Thomas’ lap steel, and Debra Tala’s accordion, all anchored by the late Paul Abrelat on bass and Matt McKenny on drums. The arrangement captures the looming presence of its subject, building tension with every verse before driving home the refrain: The man in the black hat is coming for your town.
“Black Hats” follows the debut single “A Few More Miles,” a slow-burn meditation on distance, clarity, and the ghosts that follow us, and “Train Train,” a moving reflection on Robert Lee’s father’s final years and the dignity of letting go. Together, the three singles offer a cross-section of Del Roscoe’s sound: rooted in Americana, indie folk, and cosmic country, yet unafraid to lean into darker, more atmospheric territory.
The self-titled debut was forged in urgency and love. Shortly after the band began recording, Abrelat was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Determined to capture the songs they had been building together, the band moved forward quickly. Abrelat recorded all of his bass parts before his passing, and the album is dedicated to his memory. Across its tracks, Del Roscoe blends Robert Lee’s songwriting with the contributions of each member, creating arrangements rich with grit, harmony, and haunted storytelling.
From the hand-drawn artwork to the immersive live performances featuring handmade masks, props, and symbolic visual elements, Del Roscoe builds a world as textured and human as their music. With “Black Hats,” they deliver a powerful statement – one that resonates far beyond the fictional figure at its center.
Del Roscoe - Track List
1) A Few More Miles
2) Train Train
3) Black Hats
4) Bad Lovin’
5) Westward
6) Red Desert
7) Visions
8) Ready For It All To End
9) Worry Birds
10) One More Song
