“Black Hats” brings Del Roscoe’s darkest story to life
15 August 2025
Newsdesk
“Black Hats,” the new single from Del Roscoe, comes in low and steady, but the sense of threat builds with each verse until you can almost hear the boots on the wooden sidewalk.It’s a testament to the band’s chemistry. Robert Lee’s voice rides the top of the mix like a watchman calling out across a square, while the rest of the band creates a shifting backdrop that keeps you guessing what’s around the corner. The interplay between mandolin, accordion, and lap steel adds a surreal edge, as if the song exists in a slightly tilted version of reality.
What’s striking is how specific and unspecific the central figure is. The “man in the black hat” could be anyone - a composite of every person who’s abused power for personal gain. That openness makes the song travel well across contexts, from Old West imagery to contemporary politics.
The track is also part of a bigger picture. With “A Few More Miles” and “Train Train” already setting the tone, the August 22 self-titled debut is shaping up to be a record of contrasts - tenderness one moment, sharp warning the next.
Looming over it all is the dedication to bassist Paul Abrelat, whose parts on “Black Hats” are rock-solid and purposeful. There’s no overplaying here, just a foundation that lets the rest of the arrangement lean into its atmosphere.
Del Roscoe has built a space that’s informed by personal loss, regional storytelling, and a willingness to get a little eerie when the song demands it. “Black Hats” is a door into that space, and it’s well worth stepping through.
