Dark Audios

We all know that this year’s Halloween will most likely be different from what we would usually expect; rather than watching the kids run to each other’s houses to collect candy, having fun with our friends at the annual costume party, or spending spooky movie nights in with friends, we will most likely be having to rethink our usual plans for the fear of COVID.

At this point in the year, I find myself becoming more conscious of my mental health. I have been confined to my house for the most part, having to work from home with little social interaction, and little to look forward to, and this Halloween will be no different.

It goes without saying that mental health should take priority over our school work, as my friends and I have begun to experience the school-wide burnout that comes with the lack of breaks for ourselves. With the constant feeling of being overtaken by our assignments and midterms, I can’t help but feel trapped, almost fearing for what the outcome of all of this will be.

Despite the feeling, I have found solace in music. Spotify has become one of my best friends in the absence of my Tar Heel pals. While I consider my taste in music to be, well, everything, I have recently taken a turn into the darker melodies the music industry has to offer. Many of my playlists are dotted with dark-synthesia songs. Some might call them scary, but to me, it makes me feel like an evil villain… a badass queen that can easily take on all the obstacles life tries to throw at me. In the times when I am overwhelmed or panicked, these are the songs that I can count on to bring me back out. This month, I compiled a list of songs that could give you the hyped-up vibe we all have been missing for this Halloween night. Consider this your spooky playlist:

·  Monster by Eminem, ft. Rihanna – Eminem and Rihanna, must I say more?

·  Control by Halsey – Halsey is often known as an introspective artist, who uses her own personal struggles of mental health as the focal point of her songs. This song makes you feel like a monster, but one that we can all relate to when battling our internal demons.

·  Panic Room by Au/Ra – the music of Au/Ra is usually classified as alternative, but there is a dark tone to it that we can all relate to as well when we feel suffocated by our thoughts. Panic Room is an embodiment of that feeling.

·  Bury a friend by Billie Eilish – perhaps the spookiest song of all. When I first heard this, I got actual chills for the vocals, beats, and avant-garde sound effects incorporated here.

·  Faith by The Weeknd -  Coming off of his album After Hours, Faith deals with the internal demons of addiction and change.

·  Nightmare by Halsey – I’m listening to it right now. This is the song for the powerful woman who is ready to destroy the world after she has been wronged.

·  Something in the Way by Nirvana – Nirvana uses a slow rock melody to create an austere and sinister vibe in this song. Almost like you are the villain in this world.

·  At least I look cool by Sasha Sloan – For all the kids who were insecure in themselves (like me), this one’s for you.

·  Heavy Games by Portugal. The Man – This song is off of The Walking Dead: Vol. 2 album, so you can’t help but feel like you just survived the zombie apocalypse.