Del Roscoe’s latest single “Black Hats” feels like a Western thriller unfolding in real time. Acoustic guitar sets a steady pace while mandolin, lap steel, and accordion conjure shadowy landscapes. Robert Lee’s haunting vocal pulls everything into focus; less a warning than an omen, timeless and urgent.
The song forms part of a loose trilogy with earlier singles “A Few More Miles” and “Train Train”, leading into their self-titled debut album out August 22 via Waydrift Records. Where the former offered reflection and farewell, “Black Hats” marks the storm’s arrival.
Written during a period of personal urgency following bassist Paul Abrelat’s diagnosis, the track carries a weight that’s both technical and emotional. Live, Del Roscoe’s theatrical performances echo this intensity, with masks, props, and hand-drawn visuals building a world around the music.
“Black Hats” may be fiction, but its message couldn’t feel more real.
