Thot – Delta | Album Review

Belgian post-progressive collective Thot’s fourth album is a continued exploration of industrial textures, post-rock and progressive songwriting, curating eerie dream-like soundscapes of eclectic influences with Delta.

Delta has been a long time in the making, initially starting the songwriting sessions in late 2019 and continuing through to 2023, Belgian progressive collective Thot have taken as much time as they needed on the path to their fourth full-length album. Another victim of the pandemic, Delta has been through several iterations throughout the writing process before landing in the form that is now releasing in 2024. 

The band are well known to play with an eclectic mix of styles throughout their discography and the same is true across Delta. Songs like the opening track “Euphrate” have a very experimental electronic and industrial feeling to their sonic presentation. Others stem from a more grounded home in progressive guitar music, with a particular focus on emptying and exploring the dynamics and songwriting features typically associated with post-rock and more orchestral stylings, such as eight minute powerhouse single “Hüzün”. Similarly, the wonderfully effervescent “Sleep Oddity”, featuring an uplifting and heavenly vocal feature from Czech singer/songwriter Lenka Dusilová, follows from a similar progressive ilk and makes for one of the standout tracks on the album. Bubbling forth from a rather intense synth line that feels as though it may burst into rave territory, sweeps into into a sultry and dreamlike affair that saunters softly onwards towards a compelling and infectious chorus.

For the most part, everything here sounds great. All the instrumentation and vocals are captured wonderfully with plenty of clarity in the recordings, from the grainy distortion of the analogue style synths to the soaring clean vocals. There is a lot going on as well, from the variety in drums and vocal tones, the layered guitar work and wide variety of synthesis on offer. The only real issue comes from the mix; everything is well represented and balanced, but it is lacking a certain oomph, a certain weight that you may expect from some of the more intense crescendos and climactic moments on the album. Its a very soft delivery, that at times feels a little muted and not quite as punchy as the dynamics of the track lead you to believe. It holds back some of the more grand moments Thot are working throughout the songwriting. Perhaps this gap will be filled in better in a live capacity, but otherwise Delta’s production is handled well.

A more dominant style seen cross a lot of the tracks such as “Céphéide”, “Bateleur”, single “Supercluster” and following track “Morning Waltz” have more of a goth/new-wave/post-punk feeling to them, a overwhelming sense of urgency and drive to instrumental with choppy angular rhythms and impassioned barked vocal deliveries. The back and forth between vocalists Grégoire Fray and Juliette Mauduit work wonders together. Grégoire has a more raspy and intense delivery in his native French language compliments and juxtaposes the breathy soaring English lyricism put forward from Juliette. The album also features multiple samples and performances from Bulgarian all female polyphonic choir ‘Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares’ across several different tracks as the band continue to collaborate with their psychedelic progressive approach to choral performance.

The finale “Estuaire” is a rather sombre affair, even compared to the rest of the album. Sticking to a low-key atmosphere and scored simplistically with just Grégoire’s vocals and impactful piano melodies. Various synths are peppered in across the five minutes or so, adding to the dramatic weight slowly building in emotional intensity before a final false climax as the synths deteriorate and eerie layered backing vocals chants along with the piano melody.

There is a lot to enjoy with Delta, an interesting meld of a variety of genres and styles for a rather unique and spirited, if rather sombre, experience. Its not all there and certainly could’ve used a bit more punch at times, but there is still plenty of catchy hooks, synth melodies and unexpected shifts in the songwriting. There are tonnes of detail strewn throughout as well, benefitting repeat listens. Thot continue to be a unique and intriguing musical project, well worth checking out for any fans of the Belgian alternative scene and synth heavy progressive music with touches of industrial.