Jonathan Bates’s Big Black Delta has released a great new single called “Side of the Road” on Soundcloud. A full length album is scheduled for April 9th on his label, Masters of Bates. The group is fronted by the energetic vocalist/musician, formerly of Mellowdrone and White Sea, as well as a touring member of M83 for whom Big Black Delta opened at Club Nokia last year. Drummers Mahsa Zargaran and Amy Wood complete the line-up.
“Side of the Road” is slick and hooky in a way that reminds me occasionally of Charli XCX at her best, but it is definitely earthier and has a great dance groove. Bates’s vocals are cool and melodic but heavily distorted in choppy layers, and sometimes even call to mind David Byrne. It’s a very distinct sound that seems like it would be a lot of fun live. The band is playing at SXSW in March.
Image via Big Black Delta’s Soundcloud
