Teen Gothic

I find this kind of funny, but often around my friends who don’t identify as goth, just don’t vibe with the subculture, or not really even sure what goth is I play goth music. They usually like it and often ask me what band or artist is playing hahaha. I think they don’t realize it because they’re expecting something way different. I just straight don’t tell them while I’m DJing in the car and they usually like the music I’m playing hahaha. Does anyone else have this experience or is it always turn that **** off (experienced this as well) haha

Examples of liked bands: Twin Tribes, Drab Majesty, Colonizing elsewhere

Examples of Turn that ****off: Literally anytime I put on any death rock band

I'm genuinely asking for philosophical/discussion reasons, not for drama.

Thought of this while a leonard cohen song came on and I remembered part of an interview of him talking about how he'd been so depressed that if there was an antidepressant on the market, he probably tried it, and how a lot of his songs are about sex, loss, grief, melancholy, etc. Im not arguing that he considered HIMSELF goth or that he was INTENDING to make goth music necessarily, just that through a certain lens he has SOME songs that could fit the bill, either through content or (even bigger reach I'll admit) some of his more experimental backing tracks

So what specifically makes something "sound" goth? What makes someone a goth artist, aside from self-description? People argue its about the music and sound, so do the aesthetics not matter then? If someone can be a "fake goth" by only being interested in the aesthetics and fashion, what does "real goth" look, feel, sound like?

For a more fun question, what's your most out of pocket example of a song that could be goth if you squint? Can you explain your argument?

For me its more about finding the right feel, its not something i can really put into words, but context is important, like if im hearing a 'non-goth' artist right after a 'goth classic' and it has the right angle or subject, it doesnt disrupt the flow of the playlist, yknow? I think someone could be goth without dressing up or someone who is into the mindset/culture/fashion but doesnt care for any of the typical goth music recs is still goth if they want to be. Goths can be very upbeat and positive in how they handle life, which i feel like is a normie misconception but a pervasive one nonetheless. Idk, i know im overthinking bc i havent had much chance to hang out in goth-specific spaces or circles so in a lot of ways im still new to the subculture, but in others i feel like i grew up in it without realizing it? between my parents loving macabre and morbid humor/media/decor and my childhood spent around my friend's parents who were really involved in the goth music scene from the late 80s on. So im just curious for other perspectives on it.

I know I'm not the first person to share this sentiment and I know I will certainly be far from the last. What is funny is a lot of the goth sexualization and objectification comes from predominantly right wing circles, despite the Goth movement having left wing ties due to it being an offshoot of punk culture and a post punk subculture.

Not to mention the growing watered down idea of what a goth is. Dudes refer to people who, the closest thing related to goth they listened to, is something like Deftones or Lil peep. Not to diss on them but to say they are goth is factually incorrect.

Matter of fact, they'll probably call ANYONE who wears eyeliner and wears black goth. I've seen emos and metalheads get labeled as goth it's insane. It's clear that these people who want a "Dommy mommy goth" (I felt physical repulsion typing out that string of words) are not interested in the subculture or music whatsoever, and quite frequently, condemn it. If presented with a trad goth, steampunk goth, or something like that, will most likely be the first ones to point and laugh, or say some shit like "do a wrist reveal."

I mean there's nothing wrong with having preferences, but it becomes kind of fucking weird when you make it a personality trait.

I think a main factor of their fetishization or "justification" in their fetishization is the idea that all goths are sexually promiscuous and "freaky" who will take charge in an intimate setting and has a list of fetishes that matches the length of Santa's naughty list. I think it becomes really telling how goth porn subreddits have more members than actual goth subreddits

This little rant is getting a little lengthy, I only intended to write a few sentences and got really sidetracked, but yea. I wasn't really sure where to post this and figured it would be fitting to post this here. I frequent this sub often, although I don't think I ever posted here. I guess just lemme know what you guys think

Hi everyone! I’m a newer goth (only a couple years have I been TRULY listening to goth music and partaking in the sub culture) and I have developed a very specific taste that I can’t quite figure out how to pinpoint. I really love goth music that has quieter, muffled vocals and is more focused on the instrumentals. Obviously I HAVE found music that fits that taste profile, but I struggle to find more/new music that fits it for my playlists. Song or band recommendations are highly welcome! On that same note, how does one tell if a band is actually goth or not? May be a dumb question, but I find it hard to discern between goth and non goth when such similar themes are used and I don’t want to be offensive to any old head goths that have curated the sub culture we enjoy today. Thanks, any answers or recs are much appreciated <3

Everywhere I go on there you're either wading through AI generated album covers that instantly makes me not want to ever listen to your music, or it's tagged so poorly that I often find rap or just pop music being labeled as 'goth'. Bandcamp was and continues to be the easiest way to find goth music for me and have found some great bands on there that are still some of my favorites, but in recent months it's become a minefield to peruse anything there and a stroke of luck to find anything that hits.

The AI generated images just feel like a betrayal of the DIY ethos that should be integral to goth and deathrock and no goth musician should ever succumb to the diminishing and quick returns you get from them.

Just needed to vent. This shit is demoralizing.

can someone recommend me some goth musics that sounds like a cartoon halloween? like the music riboflavin by 45 grave or something like that

Idk random post

but I was walking back from my friends house, and they live kind of near a lake with a forest. And I thought I’d turn on my playlist while walking, and this siousxie and the banshees song came on. It was one from kaleidoscope, I forgot what one it was now though. I’ll check later.

and when the song came on and the lake was near it was…I don’t know how to explain it without being cringey but it was fun, so idk try it some time

also I did a speech on goth music a while back for a school presentation, and though it got removed from moderators one person replied with some advice before it got deleted. If that persons wondering how it went it went really well! I actually managed to pass (though I didnt think I would, because asd and speeches aren’t the ideal combination). Honestly it was a choice between goth or metal (music subcultures are a huge interest of mine, and I have a lot memorised. Thats why I chose it. It was music or cats) but I went goth, and it turns out my teacher liked siousxie and the banshees, so I think I might have made the right choice.

idk why I’m posting this really. I think I’m just in a sentimental mood 🙂

What is your favorite music video from any (goth) band?

Post your links to new releases from 2000 or later, let's give some focus to new music. In the list below, you'll find some new releases from the past few weeks!

​

Here's some great new releases:

• EarthaEye – "To The Deep EP" [Experimental/Post-Punk] [EP] (NC, USA) [NYP] [Released July 16, 2024]
• Deathhawk – "Р​е​к​в​и​е​м" [Deathrock] [Single] (Russia) [NYP] [Released July 17, 2024]
• OK Doomer – "Beating Again" [Post-Punk] [Album] (Argentina) [Released July 23, 2024]
• Glasszone – "Another Dark Place" [Goth Rock] [Album] (France) [Released July 25, 2024]
• Slower Avenue – "Somehow, Sometime" [Darkwave] [Single] (Vietnam) [Released July 26, 2024]
• Memory Drops – "Siluetas" [Darkwave] [Single] (Guatemala) [Released July 29, 2024]

Want more? Check out our other spreadsheets:

• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024

Don't forget about our ever-growing list of post-punk, goth rock, darkwave, deathrock, etc. releasing labels! If you want to post music you'd most likely hear in a goth club, please subscribe to r/gothclub.

Want more? Check out our other spreadsheets:

• 2021
• 2022
• 2023
• 2024

Don't forget about our ever-growing list of post-punk, goth rock, darkwave, deathrock, etc. releasing labels!

​

If you want to post music you'd most likely hear in a goth club, please subscribe to r/gothclub.

What songs and albums do you think are just fun in nature and are actually goth?