May 22nd’s World Goth Day has already passed. Over a month later, we’re indulging in the comfortable spookiness of June 22nd’s Summerween.
If you’re still itching for a gothic taste, have your fill with these 22 songs curated by yours truly.
1. Devil’s Dagger – Temptrix
The Texan-native Temptrix shrouds any listener into a haze of fluid darkwave sound. Their track urges the soul to dance while embracing the ebb and flow of emotions. Listen to it, and see if you see any devils in your dreams.
2. Favorite Time of Day – Ex Lover
From Omaha, Nebraska comes Ex-Lover a self-titled post-punk collective that flips-between nectarous vocals and a rocking bass. “Favorite Time of Day” will keep you tapping your feet all night long with just the right amount of romantic fervor.
3. Distance – rendez-vous
Released in 2016, their titular track “Distance” from their EP managed to channel the essence of ‘80s post-punk against the backdrop of trap, pop, and hip-hop that dominated the year. To me, this song is like drinking a red-bull, minus the heart failure.
4. How it came to be this way – Autumn
Haunting in every way for me, is Autumn’s first track of their “the hating tree” album. Melodic, but witchy, pleasant but horrific, with an exhilarating finale this track gives me shivers both because of the music’s excellence but also because of the sorrow reflected in it.
5. Disappoint – In a Lonely Place
It’s a cloudy day, you’re broke, hankering for a cigarette, and wishing that maybe today could go just a bit better. It probably won’t, but at least you have “Disappoint” by In a Lonely Place. The Moscow band can dull the ache a little with its fast tempo song, droning guitar and neutral vocals. Give it a whirl in your ears and see if it helps you get through.
6. Plastic Mind – Dead Husband
Clubbing but better is Dead Husband’s “Plastic Mind”. Punchy synths get your body grooving, and have you do that awkward hip shuffle while one hand holds a vodka redbull. Nothing less can be said of a simple but suspenseful and effective track.
7. Necroamor – Corbeau Hangs
It’s romantic, it’s dark, it’s Goth. Corbeau Hangs manages to conjure up a song indicative of those old 1920’s movies with visually striking representations of the macabre such as Nosferatu or The Seventh Seal. “Necroamor” combines the best of synths and of an aching voice.
8. I Can See Right Thru You – Ex-Voto
Who doesn’t love some great deathrock? “I Can See Right Thru You” manifests a strong urge to thrash your hair around and sing. A grilling guitar shakes you to your core and a dire drumbeat gets your heart elevated—now that’s Ex-Voto!
9. We’re so Happy – Danse Society
One of the more aesthetically optimistic songs, Danse Society’s tune would be a phenomenal marching band track. I can’t tell you how many times a relaxed car drive transformed into a session of self-motivation and affirmation when this song plays.
10. Shoot Me Up – Night Sins
With the growing heat, Night Sin’s “Shoot Me Up” won’t blot out the sun, but it sure does refresh your ears. The synths, vocals and bass à la Sisters Of Mercy definitely sell that feeling of shade and musical richness.
11. El Espía – Polansky y El Ardor
Part of the La Movida Madrileña is Polansky y El Ardor. The countercultural goth movement of Spain in the 80s allowed this band to produce the headbop of “El Espía”. It has a rattling quality to it that gets you thumping out while occasionally trying to serenade the few lyrics the song has.
12. Ölüm Günüm – Ductape, She Past Away
Turkish darkwave delights. Ductape’s song in collaboration with She Past Away forms a strong synchronization of the best from both worlds. “Ölüm Günüm”, translated as “My dying day” has pained lyrics in combination with a dreary voice. It’s both a song to dance to and a song to kneel on the floor and mourn to.
13. Die Disko – future nobodies
It’s a dark dance party with future nobodies’ “Die Disko”. Catchy, eerie, and lyrics brimming with a desolate feeling, future nobodies are able to create a song that encapsulates forlorn emotions. The production sounds distant and detached to the listener, in a way that sells the true skill of creating both a danceable track and one that propagates a feeling of loneliness.
14. Something Strange – Stare Away
And speaking of dancing, we have the vibrant “Something Strange”. Fused with an electric feel, it’s hard not to imagine flashing neon lights while you sing out your heart in someone’s underground, makeshift venue. There’s something so “night time” about this piece which both imbues your soul in the crushing weight of the lyrics, but also gets your hips shifting for the mopey-two step.
15. Cry Forever… – Male Tears
Yes, Male Tears is a synth pop, sue me. However, it is clear that their song “Cry Forever…” definitely leans more into the darker edges of synth pop. Vocals faint and airy like an evening gust, this song gets your body moving. However, a keen ear will appreciate how much pathos is given to the unintelligible groans, grunts, and aches of a despairing narrator mourning a lover leaving them.
16. Wait for Nothing – the frozen autumn
I first heard this song emanating from my phone at four in the morning, and for a moment as I woke up, I thought I was having a fever dream. The intro struck fear into my heart; it felt like I was trapped in some nightmarish circus. The song inspires delirium, and as the frozen autumn does best, wailing lyrics transcend the music beyond synths into a musical crescendo of tragic beauty.
17. A Swamp – Obsidian
South Florida’s Obsidian manages to drill a discordant song full of post-punk. The guitar and bass with their unsettling flourishes really sell the imagery of “A Swamp”; think burbling water, muddy waves, the filth of algae and muck all drawn via those riffs. The song rings doubly true when in the context of South Florida, our swamps are next door, our horrors even closer.
18. chilanga – Obskuros
If you’re a fan of French Police, this one’s for you. Obskuros takes a more mellow take to our list of songs. It is a song to sway too, to feel the overwhelming grayness of life. There’s no harm in that. Let the guitar wash over you, let the hurt vocals assuage you or empathize with your worries
19. Desesperación – Balvanera
The Argentinian duo Balvanera are true puppeteers when it comes to music. The song “Desesperación” makes me feel as if I’m a marionette being posed in the endless abyss of darkness. Agustina’s voice drips like a torturous affirmation you tell yourself, with all manners of mental attacks on the psyche. To accomplish this hopeless feeling, is an art in itself.
20. In the Dark you Die – DARK
A crow can be heard, a ghastly groan of a voice speaks out—you can dance to it or grovel. Suffocating and ravishing, DARK’S “In the Dark You Die” batters you with a baroque goth experience. Much like its music video, the song invites you into a whirlpool of dark desire where excitement mixes with a sense of dread.
21. Tonight – L.U.S.T
I’ve heard this one live, so that’s how you know I’m a credible source. Truthfully, Lucid Ultra Seduction Technique, aka L.U.S.T, drafts you into a neon world of shimmering lights and almost sci-fi ethereality. “Tonight” may get you hitting an awkward shimmy while wearing platforms, but stop and take a listen to the beautiful vocals as well as the depth to the layering of the sounds and you’ll gain a greater appreciation for the Miamian duo.
22. Draumadís – Kælan Mikla
There’s something so celestial about this Icelandic trio. Cold yet impassioned, distant like the stars but yet still so intimate is the song Draumadís. Think “aurora borealis” and make it goth, that is the explosion of musical texture and depth that the song holds. Seriously, queue the song and close your eyes, and watch as your eyes and ears are dipped into a musical narrative. The echoey, breathy voices in the background and the wiry synths all grounded by an enduring bass help to build the euphoria the song unleashes within you.
Well, those are 22 songs to temper your blackened gothic heart until our next world goth day celebration. If you’re already listening to them great, if you haven’t by now, why not!?
Support your local bands, and expand your musical palette all while seeking shade during these toastier months.