If You Like It Dark...

If you prefer winter to summer, don’t mind the rain, and ask yourself which shade of black you should wear each morning; these artists are probably right up your (dark and foreboding) alley.

Savages

Described as post-punk revival noise rock, Savages are a four-piece band from London. The band formed in 2011 and consist of French vocalist Jehnny Beth, guitarist Gemma Thompson, bassist Ayse Hassan and drummer Faye Milton. Heavy on the reverb and distortion, Savages create a dark atmosphere reminiscent of Joy Division, Siouxsie and the Banshees or early PJ Harvey.

Savages have two albums under their belt; ‘Silence Yourself’ released in 2013, and ‘Adore Life,’ released in 2016. Currently they are taking a break while members of the band explore other opportunities (NME). Interestingly, Damon Albarn enlisted Beth to collaborate on the new Gorillaz album ‘Humanz,’ on the track ‘We Got the Power,’ also with Noel Gallagher of Oasis.

Beth’s introspections about love against a backdrop of loud crunchy guitars, pounding bass and echoing darkness are the perfect companion for a night spent alone in the dark; reflecting on lost love and one’s place in the world.

Alexandra Savior

Alexandra Savior is a young American singer-songwriter from Portland, Oregon. Her debut album ‘Belladonna of Sadness,’ was released in April this year and has a very noir vibe. 1960’s dream pop with a gothic flavour, Savior has a voice as smooth as velvet.

Savior collaborated with Alex Turner from the Arctic Monkeys, whose signature retro sound is all over this. It’s heavy on the bass with doomy chord progressions, and maybe some organ and theremin thrown into the mix. After listening to this, you’ll want to don your sexiest dress or sharpest suit and hit the nearest classy cigar bar tout suite.

The Raveonettes

Danish indie rock duo from Copenhagen, The Raveonettes, are interesting in that they incorporate a variety of genres. Noise pop, surf rock, shoegaze and garage rock are some of the best descriptors. The Raveonettes feature Sune Rose Wagner on guitar, instruments and vocals, and Sharin Foo on bass, guitar and vocals.

The Raveonettes formed in 2001 and have produced eight studio albums. The latest of which, ‘2016 Atomised’ was released in February this year and introduces 1980’s electro pop into the band’s already eclectic repertoire.

The juxtaposition of a 1960’s pop sound with dark lyrical content, explosions of noise and a foreboding ambience is delightfully strange. If you like My Bloody Valentine, then The Raveonettes are for you.

Soviet Soviet

Soviet Soviet are a post-punk revival trio from Pesaro, Italy. With guitarist Alessandro Costantini, drummer Alessandro Ferri and bassist and vocalist Andrea Giometti; Soviet Soviet have a retro sound similar to the Psychedelic Furs or early New Order.

The band formed in 2008 and have released four albums. Their sound is characterized by crunchy melodic guitar and uptempo drumming, with a dark undertone. This is 1980’s goth rock for today. Expect to hear Soviet Soviet at the underground goth club you’d go to if only you could ever bring yourself to leave the house.