Top 10 Darkwave and Gothwave Albums in 2019
This year we have seen a rise of new bands and music in Post-punk, Deathrock, Darkwave, and Goth rock. Today we focus on Darkwave, identified by striking synths and dance tempos, becoming ever popular on dancefloors. Gothwave blends classic goth guitar sounds with signature darkwave synths and appears to be a new blend that really solidified as a sub genre in it’s own right in releases this year. Check out our picks for best of Darkwave and Gothwave.
Spotify Playlist
Jakuzi - Hata Payi
(Darkwave) Sultry darkwave with smooth vocals, from Turkey. Their 2nd album Hata Payi was released on City Slang in April.
Hante. - FIERCE
(Darkwave) One woman project from Paris, France. Hélène de Thoury’s 4th release is a synth epic you can find on her own label Synth Religion, released in Jan 2019.
Minuit Machine - Infrarouge
(Darkwave) Reunited after a 3 year break, synth duo Hélène (from Hante.), and Amandine return with their 3rd studio album on Synth Religion Records. This album is a signature in mellow, dark and otherwordly emotion.
She Past Away - Disko Anksiyete
(Gothwave) You’ve been living under a rock if you haven’t heard this duo originally from Turkey. Synth-laden goth anthems with dark vocals and often dubbed ‘the turkish Sisters of Mercy’
Drab Majesty - Modern Mirror
(Darkwave/Indie) Los Angeles duo is still making waves with their 3rd full length album. Less dark than the previous albums and more accessible, but still the same mysterious and unique air of dreamy darkwave atmosphere with intricate guitar work.
Twin Tribes - Ceremony
(Gothwave) Freshly released in December, this is a testament to the band’s talent - deftly combining melodic synth melodies with sophisticated guitar and bass. A strong follow up to 2017’s Shadows.
Scary Black - Shadow Dwellers
(Gothwave) Sombre, mysterious gothic darkwave from Louisville Kentucky. Shadow Dwellers is the Scary Black debut, released in Sept on Secret Sin Records.
Wingtips - Exposure Therapy
(Darkwave) Dreamy, nostalgic retro-inspired synthpop and darkwave all in one album. Exposure Therapy was released on Artoffact Records.
Brandy Kills - Brandy Kills
(Darkwave) Elegant Darkwave synthpop with a moody heart from Siberia, Russia. Catch the latest release through Mountain Fighting records.
Fragrance. - Now That I’m Real
(Darkwave/Synthpop) Another french artist from Synth Religion records, Fragrance’s debut release Now That I’m Real has a synthpop dancefloor edge and embraces a subtle beauty like labelmates Minuit Machine and Hante.