Delta Spirit: “From Now On”

If there was any doubt about Delta Spirit’s California roots, their 2008 debut was called Ode To Sunshine. That’s not to say there weren’t some dark themes, but the band mostly went for joyous raucousness on songs like “Trashcan” and “People C’mon.” Delta Spirit earned its reputation in clubs and at festivals across the country, ripping through their songs with urgency.

That urgency is still there on Into The Wide, the band’s fourth album, but it’s been spiked with weariness. Delta Spirit moved to Brooklyn in 2012 and set up their own recording studio, only for it to be damaged by Hurricane Sandy a few months later. They regrouped and settled into their surroundings, and it’s easy to hear a certain New York grittiness in Into The Wide. The production now matches their forceful performances; lead singer Matt Vasquez is bathed in reverb, giving his howl a nice spectral touch. Songs like “Push It” and “Patriarch” show off Delta Spirit’s way with a rousing ballad, while “From Now On” bursts from the speakers like a caged animal.

This restlessness makes Delta Spirit worth following–word is that the band has now settled in Austin, so it will be interesting to hear what local roots peak through on their next release. Until then, Delta Spirit is in fine form shining some light on some shadowy sounds. Grab a download of their recent Studio 1A live performance below.

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