Due to Halloween’s placement on a Thursday this year, parties have been muddled between the weekend before and after October 31st. If scheduling got in the way of a good Halloween this year, don’t worry. Here’s an eclectic mix of songs to help continue that party year-round.
1. “Every Day Is Halloween” – Ministry
A gothic metal band, Ministry’s first two albums lean far into the quirky darkness of 80’s goth. Included on their third album, this song has quickly become an underground hit for the band years after it’s release. The lyrics detail a goth person going through the hassle of explaining to others why they wear their particular fashion year-round. “Every Day Is Halloween” is perfect addition to any dance playlist with it’s catchy beat and repetitive structure.
2. “Zombie” – Orla Gartland
Coming off of her first full-length album, “Zombie” encapsulates Orla Gartland’s penchant for balancing eerily dark lyrics with an unmatched upbeat musicality. This song talks about a much more real and scary sort of zombie — someone living their life without fully interacting or connecting to the people around them. An iconic track from Gartland’s discography, “Zombie” offers a spooky message for everyday life.
3. “Nightshade” – Sam Quealy
This 2022 release is a true lovechild of Lady Gaga’s pop flair and modern EDM. Unconventionality is written all over Sam Quealy’s work, with songs ranging from full on pop ballads to bright experimental synth tracks. All of Quealy’s work lends itself nicely to an extra spooky post-Halloween rave, and “Nightshade” proves to be the essential track.
4. “Jack-O’-Lantern Man” – The Bravery
Interpolating 80’s goth and 90’s grunge, The Bravery have curated a completely original sound. This song is the title track off of their 2009 album, Stir the Blood. With references to underground occult films and dark trips on magic mushrooms, this song was made for the Halloween season. Its danceable beat and catchy melody make it a perfect everyday listen as well.
5. “Dead Weight” – PVRIS
Starting out as an emo powerhouse, PVRIS has pivoted directions to make dark synth heavy rock. A fan of pushing the boundaries of musical genres, PVRIS frontwoman Lynn Gunn utilizes deeply introspective lyricism and playful vocals to give this song lasting power.
6. “Black Magic” – Magic Wands
Leaning further rock than dance, Magic Wands have a dreamlike quality that permeates throughout their song “Black Magic.” With a strong bass line and whimsical far-off vocals, it’s hard to believe there isn’t some kind of spell cast over this song. Enchanting lyricism invites listeners into a world where anything is possible, wether that be on the first of October or the second of January.
7. “Gila Monster” – King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
A fantastical rock ballad about vanquishing magical beasts and going on a grand adventure to find the scariest foe in the land, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard deliver a Godzilla-killingly good time in this ode to 80’s metal. From the perfectly muddled vocals to the chanting chorus, this song is as fun as it is genuinely amazing. Heavy guitar and bass harken back to the likes of Dio and Black Sabbath, with vocals comparable to bands like Slayer or Iron Maiden. A journey from start to end, Gila Monster will take you on an adventure and back again in only four and a half minutes.
8. “Danse Macabre” – Duran Duran
Most known for being one of the biggest names in 80’s new wave, Duran Duran put out a Halloween album, Danse Macabre, in 2023. The title track from the album, “Danse Macabre” is one of few completely original songs included in the collection. Its sound is a good combination of the 80’s synth new wave that the band is known for, with recognizable influences in trad goth and EDM as well.
9. “Final Gørl” – Sløtface
Film Buff, the norwegian band’s 2024 album, contains songs that analyze and explore film. This song takes a wack at the horror genre, poking fun at the convention of final girls while also being a poignant piece about social problems that aren’t as easy to run away from. Vocalist Haley Shea’s dark grunge-ish voice matches experimental pop punk instrumentals, creating something all of its own and perfect for rounding out a night of costumes and candy.
10. “Teeth” – Lady Gaga
Classically creepy with equal parts pop and pulp, Lady Gaga’s The Fame Monster takes the cake for the best year-round Halloween sound. “Teeth” could be about a vampire’s kiss or a toxic situationship, but either way the slow build of horns and percussion creates an undeniable tension. With Lady Gaga, year-round vampires aren’t just a reality for residents of Forks, Washington, or Mystic Falls.
