A Hellish Good Time

Music and sound has always had an immense holding and power over an environment. In movies, it creates an atmosphere that not only generates emotion and tone on screen, but also creeps into the living room with us. In social gatherings, at parties, at clubs, it dictates how we move and communicate with the people we’re body to body with. The Halloween season is so immersive it’s one of few holidays that truly creates a tone that surpasses and extends beyond it’s one dedicated day, creating a buildup for weeks, and music plays a key role in creating that tone.

The air is thin with a crisp breeze rattling leaves about. The moon illuminates the night and the energy radiating through the lively city. You are dressed in your costume, head to toe with makeup and accessories. Skin shows behind what little clothing you have because tonight, under the glow of the moon- the hunt begins. You approach the front door, bass and muted sounds coming from behind the decorated entrance. The door opens and the sound pours out, filling your ears. You step inside. People in disguise for the evening talking, moving, laughing, drinking- free of their mortal inhibitions, to do as they please for the night. As you walk about the dark and humid place, red and colored lights strobing, you suddenly lock eyes with someone standing across the room. The attraction pulls you together and you make your way over. You’ve found your prey. The music vibrates the walls and moves under your skin, setting the grungy and sexy atmosphere for your trance to capture your prey of the night.

This playlist and music will be for a different party vibe than your regular Halloween function. As mentioned, the music you play will dictate the kind of tone you set and want to make for the night. You’ll see other playlists and other parties that play the typical and popular songs like “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell and “The Monster Mash” by Bobby Pickett. Though those songs hold fantastic merit and are fun lively songs that everyone enjoys, they’re innocent and light. The songs and music below will differ dramatically in tone. This playlist is intended and was made to create an atmosphere in the true spirit of Halloween. Halloween is dynamic and has both scary and sexy facets. These songs will arouse a gritty, sensual, and dark environment but still keep a high and upbeat energy. The sounds of each song push the norm with edgy production that still holds traditional aspects but with modern sound.

This is "SEX 'N HELL"

I curated this playlist to be played by the listener in order from top to bottom to really understand the feeling. Please enjoy!

1. “Black Magic Woman” by VCTRYS

A strong start and excellent first song. The song really showcases the playlist and how sonically it will differ, and encompasses the idea of the compilation. Black Magic Woman builds into an unexpected and exciting sound. The odd zipper sound of the synth in combination with the hard beat creates a dramatic feel that carries sexiness and power.

2. “Trick R Treat” by Josh A and iamjakehill

The creepy music box sound that carries through the song is a great addition to the production. It compliments the first song with a simple and easy beat, adding a strong rap with lyrics of death and demons, overall inducing an upbeat, eerie and exciting sound.

3. “Purgatory” by Kim Petras

The third and fourth song are in conjunction with each other. The artist Kim Petras created a full length Halloween album, so it had to end up on this playlist. These two songs transition into each other seamlessly made for the album. "Purgatory" adds those traditional scary elements of keys and strings then swiftly infuses an electropop dance element that gets fast and exciting while still serving ghouls.

4. “There Will Be Blood” by Kim Petras

We transition into an upbeat dance song that maintains it’s creepy aspects that altogether give fun energy, excitement, and some dark lyrics.

5. “Black Abominable Lust” by Deth Crux

We open with a few seconds of some headstrong synth that keeps with the prior song’s energy. Hard rock then leads the song. The synth in congruence with the electric guitar makes for an energetic upbeat vibe that make a Lost Boys vibe. There’s something about the combination that is very old school and yet blends very well.

6. “Black” by The Soft Moon

By far the darkest sounding song on this playlist. It has a quick beat and a barely recognizable, almost chant for the lyrics. It adds a bit of sexiness but also unsettling goosebumps. It slows down from the prior song a bit, but in turn replaces guitar for scary sounds of screeches and electronic clutter.

7. “Gravedigger” by MXMS

Following down the line of a slowing pace and low tempoed songs, this songs adds strength and sex in a heavy bass line. Sirens follow in parts of the song to give it a dark tone.

8. “The Mover” by Catnapp and Modeselektor

Following the trend, the start of the song gives a moment to connect to the last before slamming down a fantastic bass, with some familiar electro elements giving it that sensuality we’ve seen. The slow distorted elements of the vocals give it that good ole eerie vibe we love to hear but still making it a grungy dance beat.

9. “Content” by Joywave

My favorite track on the playlist. The intro builds stage to the hardness of the song. Slow, and then a drop of heavy drum line with creepy electric chords for a phenomenal and ghoulish sound. The outro is almost a ringing that creates a feel of eerines and makes for a fun bridge to the next track.

10. “Mirrors” by PVRIS

We flow into an immediate keyboard and catchy beat at the start. The song thematically has creepy lyrics with a matching mysterious sound. The alternative sound with the electronic influence adds a layer of edge and coolness that really ties it into the playlist.

11. “Tear You Apart” by She Wants Revenge

This alternative sound breathes sex and fear into this playlist and makes this song the perfect ending to the compilation. The singer’s special vocals add a level of oddness, along with the lyrics expressing someone’s scary and lustful desires. With the ghostly harmonies on the chorus atop the simple guitar and drum production, it makes for an unsettling and wicked song.