Big Black Delta - BBDLP1 Review

By Tom Daly / November 27, 2011

rating: 4.0

Black Delta is the new project from electronica cult legend Jonathon Bates. After working with the likes of M83 and Mellowdrone, Big Black Delta is his first solo project. After touring with M83, he Big Black Delta released their first EP, BBDEP1 last year, and followed it up with their debut LP this year. Big Black Delta€™s sound could be best described as dark synth pop- I€™ve seen comparisons to both Depeche Mode and the Horrors, and it is difficult to argue with these comparisons. They still, however manage to maintain a fairly house-like sound at times. Their sound is mostly driven by synths and snares, with Jonathon Bates declaring that €˜'Snare tones are more important than guitar tones.'€™ The first album by the group, BBDLP1 was released earlier this year for a free download from their website. BBDLP1 starts with €˜Put the Gun on the Floor€™ a great track that starts off brilliantly, sounding like an odd combination of Crystal Castles and Daft Punk. The second track on the eleven track LP is €˜Capsize€™. This is a much slower and mellower track than €˜Put the Gun on The Floor€™ and this is certainly a good thing. The third track, Huggin and Kissin is arguably the most famous and most well received track that Big Black Delta have released so far; it is the most radio friendly and danceable, and I mean this in the nicest way possible. Its on €˜Huggin and Kissin€™ that I can really see the comparison with The Horrors.The fourth track on €˜BBDLP1€™ is called Betamax. It is most similar to €˜Huggin and Kissin€™ in regards to the fact it is some really good, synthy, danceable electronica. It€™s not until the next track, Dreary Moon that we hear something fresh and exciting from the last couple of tracks- featuring both male and female vocals and almost dreampop like, you can easily get lost in Dreary Moon. The next interesting track is PB3, the 8th track on the 11 track album that features a long, synth driven drone at the beginning; it continues for the entire track. It feels kinda out of place on the album, like some weird interlude but that doesn€™t stop PB3 from being interesting.As €˜BBDLP1€™ starts to come to an end, we hear the last two tracks. €˜Roost€™, the tenth track is the most full on of all the tracks on the album, mixing hardly understandable vocals with droning synths and guitars. It might be my favourite song from the album. The finale to €˜BBDLP1€™ is GimmeARide, another instrumental track that sounds awesome with the harsh sounds but fails to really go anywhere. Overall I feel like €˜Big Black Delta€™ is one of the best electronica groups I€™ve heard in a long time- it is a surprise to me that they aren€™t much more well known. I dearly hope they will gain more recognition soon, because if anybody in the music industry deserves it, its Jonathon Bates and Big Black Delta.