I scoured Spotify to make the ultimate alternative Halloween playlist (you’re welcome). Here are just some of my favorites:
- “Witches” by Alice Phoebe Lou: A sunny day bop for all the witchy babes.
- “In The Room Where You Sleep” by Dead Man’s Bones: Prepared to learn some crazy trivia? Before Ryan Gosling was on the big screen singing about Kenergy, he was in a dark folk-rock band in LA writing a horror musical. He never finished it, but it turned into a supernatural-themed album, Dead Man’s Bones. Even more surprising: it’s actually amazing (I ended up putting the whole album on the playlist. Yes, it’s that good).
- “Psycho Killer” by Talking Heads: A smash hit about the deteriorating mental state of a murderer, qu’est-ce que c’est? (fa, fa, fa, fa, fa, fa, fa)
- “Magic Dance” by David Bowie: If you haven’t seen Labyrinth yet, do yourself a favor and go watch it right now. I’ll wait.
- “We Only Come Out At Night” by The Smashing Pumpkins: Just a typical night out with your zombie/vampire/insomniac pals.
- “Devil Town” by Bright Eyes: What’s more terrifying than conformity? (see also: “They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!” by Sufjan Stevens.)
- “You’re Dead” by Norma Tanega: The undead? A banjo? I’m petrified.
- “Heads Will Roll” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Best Halloween party song. Period.
- “Little Ghost” by The White Stripes: I mean, haven’t we all fallen in love with a spectral entity only we could see?
- “The Thing” by Pixies: Ok, technically not Halloween themed, but the October vibes are so good that I had to include it.
- “Night Shift” by Nouvelle Vague, Adah Dylan: This song genuinely gives me the creeps. Do not listen after 8:00 pm.
- “Werewolf” by Cat Power: Do you feel like crying? A lot?