Modern Halloween Playlist Essentials
We all know “Thriller” and “Monster Mash,” so here are some more recent must-haves for your spooky Halloween playlist.
THE COURTNEYS “LOST BOYS”
This peppy seven-minute indie pop jam is given a dose of eeriness by a reverb-soaked refrain about a “vampire teenage boyfriend.”
KIDS SEE GHOSTS “KIDS SEE GHOSTS”
With a hypnotic beat, Kid Cudi’s wordless moans and a mantra-like refrain about ghosts, this is Kanye’s best Halloween jam since “Monster.”
COLIN STETSON “PARTY, CRASH”
Literally any track from the Hereditary soundtrack is terrifying, but this one is a standout because of the percussive quality of the chilling sax drones.
GRIMES “KILL V. MAIM”
Between the cute-but-scary screams and lyrics that Grimes has said are inspired by “Godfather with vampires,” this one is a thrill ride.
GHOST “WITCH IMAGE”
The Swedish horror-rock band match bright, heavy guitars with comically ghoulish lyrics like “Someone’s flesh is rotting tonight.”
BLACK MOUNTAIN “CEMETERY BREEDING”
The Vancouver rockers conjure a mood that’s both scary and sexy, with ghostly synth tones and lyrics about “fucking in the graveyard.”
DEATH GRIPS “BLACK PAINT”
Cacophonous punk rap and growling shouts about “Satanic urges” make this a particularly intense and sinister banger.
JOHN CARPENTER “DISTANT DREAM”
The Halloween director and composer has released stand-alone albums in recent years, and this instrumental is a delightfully campy kernel of sonic candy corn.