Oxford indie/new wave trio Black Hats have announced the release of their new single, “Witness To Everything”, the latest track from a forthcoming four-song release planned for 2026.
Built around solid grooves shaped by reggae-infused bass lines and skittering drum beats, the band’s sound fuses rhythmic precision with razor-sharp guitars and anxious energy.
Their melodies carry a punchy, melodic edge reminiscent of classic British punk-pop, while witty, catchy lyrics complete a formula that has helped cement their growing reputation on the local and national circuit.
Part of a four track single release for 2026, “Witness To Everything” is a tack sharp song, with an energy built on hope and then despair and a need for change in a world gone mad.
Black Hats — Mark, Budd and Nick — previously worked with Grammy Nominated producer Sam Williams (Supergrass and Plan B) on their debut single, “Kick In The Doors”.
Since then, they have supported notable acts including Reef, Dodgy and Stornaway, and have appeared at major UK festivals and venues such as Wychwood Festival, Truck Festival and the O2 Academy Oxford. Their second single, ‘No More Smoke’, featured in both Shameless and The Magicians on US television.
“Witness To Everything” will be released on Monday 09 March 2026 via Hoi Polloi Records. The single will be available across all streaming platforms, as well as on cassette and CD. A vinyl release is scheduled for later in the year, bringing together all four singles alongside additional tracks.
Early praise for the band continues to underline their rising profile. Dancing About Architecture describes them as “Black Hats are a mesmerising band – the perfect balance of muscle and melody, power and poignancy, grove and grandeur”.
The Oxford Mail notes: “The band are an exciting live act and they sweat and strut their punk-pop with a sound that has one foot in the past and another in the current”.
Nightshift Magazine adds: “Influences from Young Knives, Elvis Costello , the Jam and Gang of Four – more to come for sure?” and declares: “If all bands could write a song like Just Fall then they would have made it”.
