Best Songs To: Get Spooky to on Halloweekend
For some, the end of October can be cosy and autumnal; a time of hot drinks, warm scarves, and general softness. The vibes of this month have in recent years become quiet and peaceful. Christian Girl Autumn and Pumpkin Spice Lattes reign, but whatever happened to feeling spooky? To feeling chaotic in a shoddy fancy dress outfit at a late night event? Or, to just embracing the sinister fun of halloweekend? We say it’s time to take Halloween seriously again, and to do that, a stellar soundtrack is fundamental. Katie and Brandon, Everyday Magazines music editors, have compiled a playlist just to get you in that whimsically scary headspace.
Cinderella - Model/Actriz
Katie: If you’re looking for a song that combines ever-building dread and a funky beat, this one is for you! A track that should not be so easy and fun to dance to, but is, despite the odds. Works perfectly if you’ve planned to dress up as a princess for your halloween night out.
Cape Malay Prayer - Auntie Flo, Mehmet Aslan
Brandon: The closest sonic representation of a rocky, unstable, multi-layered nightmare. There’s a sinister bassline chopped and diced unpredictably throughout, constantly putting you on edge. An ever increasing acid undertone wrapped round this chilling harmony, Mehmet Aslan creates a horror-soaked rendition of the chuggy bass-driven anthem by Auntie Flo.
In the Afternoon - MGMT
Katie: The soundtrack to a post-modern haunted house, where the ghosts have mullets and moustaches. ‘In the Afternoon’ has a faux-vintage feel about it, with sweeping choruses and atmospheric synths, which makes it perfect for getting into character for halloween (almost like it’s Time to Pretend…).
Energy Flash - Joey Beltram
Brandon: Thrown straight into a growling 808 and clashy percussion, Joey Beltram’s Energy Flash stands out not only as acid anthem, at the time and throughout time it forms a dark evil mating call to late hour ravers. The whirling 303 calling out frenetically, rounded off by the signature vocal sample chillingly calling out – a combination that could truly wake the dead.
Haunted - Laura Les
Katie: One half of 100 Gecs utilising their signature glitchy sound to screech and scream about monsters, ghosts, and ghouls. Feels like you’re living inside a retro 8-bit horror game for 1 and a half minutes; a burst of energy unlike no other.
Smoking - Randomer
Brandon: Smoking by Randomer stands out as breakbeat chaos, a ritual dance for menacing spirits. It’s got it all, a crashing bassline, possessive breaks and effects that fling you around like a poltergeist. Outstandingly unique yet involving usual dark bass components in unison to really drive a truly terrifying track.
Confusion (Pump Panel Reconstruction Mix) - New Order
Katie: A classic. This track is reserved for the witching hour, when you’ve fully convinced yourself you are the vampire you got dressed up as. For throwing shapes, but in a truly devious and sinister fashion.
Es Zieht Nach - Schwefelgelb
Brandon: Schwefelgelb, the Berlin based duo, are known for their Frankenstein-like experimentation in the techno world. On an early release EP, ‘Es Zieht Nach’ lurks, can only and should only be accompanied by a smoke-filled room lit by a single red light. It is pure techno witchcraft, harder than hard techno, beastly bass and an all-round teeth-gritting aura.
Audrey’s Dance - Xiu Xiu
Katie: Xiu Xiu’s dedication to amplifying the terrifying undertones of Angelo Badalementi’s original scores and David Lynch’s weird and wonderful ‘Twin Peaks’ narratives really shines in this track. Perfect for dancing around off-puttingly in a strangers kitchen at an afters.
Perfekt - Hammer
Brandon: Released this week, the prolific producer Hammer enters the Hallows with ‘Perfekt’. A dark chaotic journey twisting and winding, dancing with sprites and extraterrestrial synthetic instrumentals. The disorientating acid squelches equipped with his usual sonic weapons of choice make for a well-timed, well-needed Halloween weekend offender track.
Feeling spooky yet? We hope so!
Keep your eyes peeled for more Top 10 lists, carefully curated by our music editors. What theme shall we delve into next? Find the full playlist here.
Written by Brandon Purmessur & Katie Coxall
Brandon is a music journalist in Bristol who enjoys writing as well as hosting radio shows and video interviews. Beyond music, he enjoys working with the community and learning about other cultures.
Katie is an all-round creative, specialising in music journalism for Everyday. Coming from a background of opinion-pieces and culture essays, she weaves contemporary context into her writing.
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