Audiofile: Spooky Synths and Gothic Ghouls

This issue of AudioFile is extra special and extra spooky, as Halloween is just around the corner. Over the past month, I’ve been curating a playlist of a sound I’ve been really invested in recently– a mix of new and old electronic, new wave and gothic rock. After all, there’s just something about an experimental synth that can really get you in the Halloween mood. Here’s a playlist of ten songs you should add to your Halloween playlist this year!

Dark Streets- Geneva Jacuzzi

Geneva Jacuzzi is a current artist whose sound calls back to the electro-pop movement of the seventies. “Dark Streets,” a 2020 single, is a lyrically ambiguous song that perfectly sets the spooky mood. In the song, Geneva’s vocals vary a lot through her discography, and in this one, she harnesses the traditional “spoken” voice of gothic rock. The ghostly synths and strange sound effects add an interesting quality to the song that is unlike anything I’ve heard before. 

Sphynx- La Femme

La Femme is a band out of Biarritz, France, that creates music with a wide variety of sounds, ranging from indie rock to experimental. “Sphynx” is the intro to the album “Mystère,” which, sung in French, feels like a trippy introduction into a strange world. The layered production utilizes dark, spooky synths and the singer’s elongated siren-like vocals swoop through the intriguing melodies. I highly recommend the full album as a Halloween listen, as well as La Femme’s most recent album, “Rock Machine,” released on October 11.

Haunted By The Girl He Always Wanted- Tommy Mandel

I discovered this song over the summer in between acts at a concert in L.A., and I am still completely obsessed with it. Released in 2002, this song is a bit silly and experimental. The singer tells a story about a boy who spends too much time daydreaming about a girl from his past. The synths in this song are super fun and reference some eighties pop sounds. The production is choppy and raw, but it makes the song more interesting. Overall, it’s so catchy that I get excited every time it comes on my shuffle!

Michael Who Walks by Night- Strawberry Switchblade

Strawberry Switchblade is a Scottish ’80s goth-pop duo that sadly only released one album. Singers Rose McDowall and Jill Bryson are known for their extravagant big hair and layered polka-dotted outfits. Their album “Strawberry Switchblade” is one of my favorite albums, and I believe the song “Michael Who Walks by Night” perfectly captures the Halloween essence. The low synth bass supports the track as the girls sing about a man named Michael, who (you guessed it) walks by night. The story is pretty mysterious and vague, as Michael quietly walks through the streets as girls glance at him. 

Don’t Fear The Reaper- Rose McDowall

Rose McDowall of Strawberry Switchblade has a solo album, released in the late eighties, called “Cut With The Cake Knife.” In it, she has a mix of original songs, as well as a cover of Blue Öyster Cult’s “Don’t Fear The Reaper. I love this cover because of Rose’s distinct voice and sound, as well as the beautiful harp intro. The groovy beat is danceable and perfect for a Halloween party. 

There’s No Blood In Bone- The Poppy Family

The Poppy Family is a psychedelic group started in the late ’60s. Although their sound is characterized as more psychedelic, I think this song fits the vibe of this playlist perfectly. The spoken intro layered with heavy effects honestly scared me when I first listened. The singer’s dark voice tells the story of a girl named Marie who gives everything to a man named Joey, who eventually dies. Her blood is drained after all of her efforts toward him, a metaphor for an emotionally draining relationship. P.S. One of Rose McDowall’s side projects is the band “Spell,” which also has a cover of this song!

Shut The Door- Saâda Bonaire

Saâda Bonaire is a D.J. project formed by Ralf Behrendt in the eighties with a heavy electronic sound. Around this time, German dance/electronic had a very distinct sound that I personally love. The duo in this song sings, “Shut the door, don’t follow me, leave me alone.” The layered effects and knocking sounds add a unique touch. The punchy bassline and synths even remind me of some early Gorillaz songs, which makes me wonder if Saâda Bonaire was ever an inspiration for them.

Give Me A Reason- Boy Harsher

Boy, Harsher is an electro-pop group that references the goth and electronic of the seventies and eighties. And get this– they’re SCAD Grads! (I actually just found this out while writing this. I’m so excited!) But I can’t even be surprised– their dark, energetic songs are fitting for being created in the most haunted city in America. “Give Me A Reason” is like if you tried to encapsulate the feeling of driving home on Halloween night. Its pounding synths and repetitive lyrics are captivating and make me want to get into more Boy Harsher music.

Vampiro- French Police

French Police’s neo-goth sound is characterized by a heavy bassline that matches the low dark voice. Similar to many of the songs on this playlist, the lyrics are very repetitive, and the vocalist sings, “Yeah // Are you cold? // Is it me? // I don’t know.” The lyrics are vague but as the title suggests, seems to be about a vampire wondering how he is perceived from the outside.

тоска- Molchat Doma
Belarussian Indie group Molchat Doma is currently dominating the obscure electro-pop sound. In this song, the lyrics are just as dark as the production, some translating to, “Why is it so good, melancholy? //Don’t force me, sadness //I’ll be glad to lose you.” The band clearly has influences from gothic rock and post-punk, and I think they have a really unique sound for the modern music scene.

I’ve really enjoyed diving into this style of music this month– I hope this album has introduced you to some new songs and artists. If your friends don’t tell you that you have the best Halloween playlist they’ve ever heard, I’m going to need to speak to them.