Track or Treat, Anyone?

Greetings, fellow beings of the night 🎃

What comes into your mind when you think of scary music? For some, it’s the nostalgic 90s family-friendly classics like Ghostbusters and The Addams Family or intense thrillers like Jaws and The Shining, while others might think of genres that perfectly capture the horrorcore vibe.

But eerie songs go beyond Halloween. Outside of gloomy orchestral scores and genres like goth rock and darkwave, dark lyrics and haunting narratives can instill just as much fear as the music itself.

That said, are you ready to get into the Halloween spirit? I’ve got some spine-chilling tunes coming your way 👻

Happy Halloween Eve! It’s time to embrace the dark side 🐈‍⬛

Stay spooky,

Val ♫

(P.S If you are reading this in your email, please click “Read Online” at the top-right corner next to the date for a better reading experience!)

In This Week's Setlist:

• 👻 Haunting Vibes

• 💿 Album of the Week: Girl with No Face by Allie X

• 🕸️ Artist of the Week: Ethel Cain

• 🔁 This Week’s Songs on Repeat

• 🎶 New Music This Week

👻 Haunting Vibes

Over the years, Halloween has grown into a more festive celebration, yet it still embraces its spooky origins. Many indie folk artists draw inspiration from this somber backdrop, using the season's darker themes and crisp autumn atmosphere for their creative projects.

Surprisingly, these influences often result in music that radiates feel-good energy, combining the haunting essence of Halloween with upbeat, soulful melodies.

Let’s start with some light-hearted Halloween boo-gies:

• Halloween by Novo Amor

• Witch by Alex G

• deathproof by The Graveyard Club

💿 Album of the Week: Girl with No Face by Allie X

What better genre screams “Halloween party” than goth-pop! ⚡

Avant-pop artist Allie X channels ‘80s-inspired glam and horror-pop vibes in her latest album. With its dramatic synth runs, dark aesthetic and intense metaphors, the album captures the eerie allure of Halloween while keeping the energy upbeat. It’s guaranteed to get you dancing the spooky night away.

Here are my personal favourites:

• Galina: You would never have guessed that this song is about yearning for her favorite eczema cream and the beautician who refuses to sell it to her.

• Off With Her Tits: Inspired by the Queen of Hearts’ iconic line, this song draws heavily from house and club music. I can picture dancers whacking and voguing to this infectious beat.

• Truly Dreams: If you’re an Abba fan looking to dip your toes in goth pop, check out this track — it brings that familiar retro charm with a modern, gothic twist.

🕸️ Artist of the Week: Ethel Cain

Hayden Silas Anhedönia, known as Ethel Cain, delivers the ultimate gothic soundtrack of the season with Preacher’s Daughter — an album that’s most likely to be on Wednesday Addams’ playlist.

The haunting vocals and cryptic verses are lyrical masterpieces on their own, but the real depth of Preacher’s Daughter lies in its backstory. Ethel Cain masterfully crafts a narrative filled with trauma, loss, and generational pain, exploring the darkness that arises when we fail to confront our own shadows.

Her emotive storytelling conveys a powerful message: the harsh realities of this world will consume us if we continue to run away from our inner demons and trauma. Heads-up, thrill seekers — “Ptolemaea” and “August Underground” are not for the faint-hearted 😨

It’s hard to settle on a favorite track, but if I had to choose, "Sun Bleached Flies" stands out for its perfect balance of sorrow and bittersweet release. It feels like closure after a turbulent emotional storm.

I won’t spoil the vibes for you — experience the intensity for yourself! 🦇

🔁 This Week’s Songs on Repeat

Galina by Allie X and Empress of: Giving this track another spotlight because it’s just TOO GOOD. Listen to this higher-pitched collab for an even better experience.

distance by Tori Kelly: Our R&B belle is back with a brand new album that dropped this month, and this song is the perfect opener. It’s got a catchy beat, heartfelt lyrics and tasteful vocal runs — it’s music umami. I can’t get it out of my head!

🎶 New Music This Week

Eyes Without A Face by Sinnerella: Horror synth meets indie in this explorative piece. It’s hauntingly groovy, without the major scare factor.

Witches by Alice Phoebe Lou: Looking for a stylish and refined Halloween vibe? This song radiates a vibrant, upbeat energy, while embodying the chic and sophisticated lifestyle of a modern witch.

Howling at Wolves by Stephen Sanchez: Our TikTok-viral artist gives off enigmatic Elvis vibes with this captivating track that draws strong inspiration from '60s blues music.

SHE WON’T by Corrinna: Planning an emo Halloween night? This song sets the perfect tone for a night of emotional reflection and ghostly vibes. Go and sing your heart out at the full moon — it’s a major howling mood.

Inspired by this week’s music picks?

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