10 Weirdcore Tracks That Sound Like a Fever Dream

With the popularity of liminal photography and films like 2026's Backrooms, weirdcore is having a moment. It's not quite horrorcore, but it's not clean and cheerful enough to fit into the pop categories, either. Some artists ditch the pop influences and veer off in another direction, creating music that sounds like the soundtrack to a child's nightmare. Whatever the case, this playlist contains weirdcore tracks from all ends of the spectrum--and if you're ready to get weird, sit back and let these songs plunge you into a feverish haze.

1. Hey Kids by Molina

While Molina's Instagram profile has a clean, simple aesthetic, the artist's music is decidedly more experimental. "Hey Kids," a 2018 single that later appeared on Vanilla Shell, delights your brain with glossy synths, feverish vocals and dripping layers that melt together into a lush, vibrating soundscape. Late Verlane appears in the second verse, adding another twist to this otherworldly tune.

2. Spaceship Race! by Kinneret

If this is your first exposure to Kinneret (pronounced "kee-nair-it"), brace yourself for a thrilling ride through the cosmos. This artist tends to end her song titles with exclamation points, and for good reason: "Spaceship Race!" packs every moment with glittering production and punchy vocals that make you feel like seeing Saturn's rings up close. "In my spaceship I'm an animal, just so you know," she advises before hitting the gas pedal.

3. another life by mazie

As a child, mazie learned how to sing by practicing with jazz and classical music. Her training shines through in 2023's "another life," which blends shimmering sound effects with deep, soulful vocals. This track slows down and speeds up in the most unexpected places, then brings it all together with mazie's special brand of stardust. If that weren't enough, cheers occasionally appear in the background, turning the song into a rollercoaster that reaches dizzying heights.

4. DEVIL x6 by plasterbrain

plasterbrain's extensive online presence includes a personal website, technology guides and a dream journal, plus accounts on Bluesky, Tumblr, Patreon and YouTube. However, the music is the true star of the show, with an extensive catalog that includes collaborations, maximalist EPs and video game soundtracks. 2026's NEOTENY EP features "DEVIL x6," which uses glitchy sound effects and high-pitched vocals to transform the artist into a real-life anime girl.

5. Queer Girls by Awkward Marina

After going viral as a teenager for writing My Little Pony fan songs, Awkward Marina used her talents to transition to a career as a professional songwriter for commercials and TV shows. She also releases personal projects, including 2019's "Queer Girls"--an irresistibly catchy LGBT anthem with eclectic vocals and club-inspired production. If you're a fan of this artist, you can support her by buying her merchandise or joining her army of 30,000 Instagram followers.

6. no more treats in the machine by Penelope Scott

If those previous songs weren't weird enough, 2026's "no more treats in the machine" is a dizzying array of computer glitches, distorted vocals and eerie instrumentals that sound like a mysterious jingle you'd hear in a dream and immediately forget upon waking. As the song gradually breaks down, the whispered vocals make you feel like you're watching a dying machine. And who knows, maybe you are: with fuzzy edits and strange messages, Penelope Scott's Instagram profile is just as bizarre and disturbing as her recordings.

7. waterslide by Crossing Bridges

Crossing Bridges is just one branch of the Forest Kids Collective, a group of over 30 different "artists" who dabble in various genres. In fact, Paul G. Marchesani is the artist behind the acts, creating a series of personas to help himself deal with grief and explore his musical talents after his brother's suicide in 2010. "waterslide," a short track from 2022's WEIRDCORE OST, sounds like an ancient recording you'd discover after crossing over into the backrooms--and you'd probably turn back if you heard this jingle echoing against the walls.

8. Deep Swim by Windows96

Gabriel Eduardo, also known as Windows96, started making music with machines that he borrowed from his school library. After these humble beginnings, his catalog includes almost two dozen releases, including 2019's Enchanted Instrumentals and Whispers. "Deep Swim" grabs your attention with dazzling bits, glittery streaks and soft vocals that enter the setting like a ghost singing through a fog. Clearly, this artist has a uniquely surreal vision, and his 13,000 Instagram followers agree.

9. Gretel by Sodikken

Based in California, the multi-talented Sodikken lends their artistic skills to their album covers, which are as bold and colorful as their music. "Gretel," a seven-minute track from their 2021 EP, oozes surrealism with bright, anguished vocals, pained arrangements and heartbreaking lyrics that make you look at this fairy-tale character in a whole new light. When it's over, you feel like you've taken your own journey through the woods--and, like Gretel, you're not going to be the same person when you come back.

10. Living Island by Pogo

According to Pogo's Bandcamp profile, this Australia-based artist "puts weird sounds into a blender and blasts them into a funky frappé for your earholes." That's a fitting way to describe 2019's "Living Island," which sounds like a dazzling blend of club music and nursery rhymes. The artist's Instagram profile is just as surreal, surprising you with a stew of travel photos, TV show clips, nature snapshots and rainbow-hued artwork.

Are you new to the world of weirdcore? Which track was your favorite? Sound off in the comments.