Big Black Delta—the project under which Venezuelan singer/multi-instrumentalist Jonathan Bates since 2013–has revealed a hypnotizing music video for new single “Vessel.” The film, directed by Warren Kommers, follows the deteriorating emotional state of man whose relationship has just ended. Framing it quite literally in claustrophobic terms, the walls around the man begin to close in to reveal the flourishing romantic life of his ex-girlfriend.
The walls continue to close as the girlfriend’s life turns to color and his remains in dull shades of gray and black, all the while he’s simultaneously pushed out of the picture. The film is hypnotic in its raw depiction of a split between two people, while the song that soundtracks it hones in on a deeply introspective outlook on the end of a relationship—however visceral and pained it may be.
“When approaching Warren about doing something for this song, he and I were both at points in our lives where we were revisiting past failed relationships and our responsibility in their failures,” shares Bates. “I sent him the song which is about me owning up to my victimhood. A few days later he had a complete pre-visual and the whole video laid out. It was a fabulous experience watching it start from a vision in his head to the final edit.”
Bates, a long time member of Mellowdrone and M83 collaborator, continues to find all the weighty emotion he needs in his elegant synth melodies. Excited and anxious, “Vessel” creates a mania in its pulsating electronica that informs the silent but vibrant dance the film’s actors engage in.
Big Black Delta’s new album 4 is out July 10, pre-order it here. Visit their website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and announcements.
