I’ve never really understood people who don’t like Halloween.
I mean, I guess I can understand having a fundamental issue with the root of the holiday and its darker side. But, the hatred of kids bursting with excitement and grown-ups being allowed to play dress-up for one night has always baffled me. Whether your costume is a nudist-on-strike or an elaborate mythical creature – it’s one night, and it’s a chance to party.
As per 2011 and 2012, I’ve assembled what I think are crucial songs for livening up your weekend monster mash. We’ve got a nice little mix here – some spooky classic rock and downtempo, slithery beats – all of which should do the trick, and be a treat to your ears.
1. Hive – Earl Sweatshirt: I’ve posted the “clean” version here – because Earl, and the rest of his Odd Future crew, are nothing less than candid. More than the dirty (in every sense of the word) wordsmithing, Sweatshirt is known for thick, sinister beats that compliment his lethargic, but bad-ass, rhymes.
2. Blackout Days – Phantogram: The newest single from New York synth-pop group Phantogram is easily my favourite of their batch to date. The darker tone and Sarah Barthel’s strong vocals are totally captivating from start to finish.
3. White Rabbit – Jefferson Airplane: I know I’ve put this on previous years’ lists, but it always deserves a mention. Since I was a child, I’ve maintained that this is the most frightening song ever written. Honestly. I can only listen to it with the lights on, and a flashlight on, and earplugs in.
4. Collect Calls – Kendrick Lamar: Who’s #1’s tour mate and the best in the game? This guy. The entirety of K-dot’s album (as well as his show-stopping cameos) is worthy of a listen at any party – but something about this jam and his uncharacteristically urgent rhyming is particularly freaky.
5. Take a Fall on Me – James Blake and RZA: James Blake is known for his experimental genre-bending tunes that taste dubstep, soul and electro – and on Overgrown, he recruited Wu-Tang legend RZA to churn some of the prettiest, yet eeriest, downbeat hip-hop of the year. I still can’t get enough of it.
6. Doom and Gloom – Rolling Stones: What’s any playlist without Mick and the boys? If the rap and electronic scene isn’t for you, you can count on rumbling classics from these guys, Blue Oyster Cult and The Doors to beef up your playlist.
7. Scarecrow – Beck: One of the things I love most about Beck is that, while I always recognize his distinct vocal – he has little to no musical pattern in his songwriting and I almost never know what he’s going to do next. In his 20 years of performing, he’s penned groovy electro-rock, anti-folk and effortlessly creepy numbers like this one – and they’re always worth a nod.
8. Shakin’ All Over – The Guess Who: I’ll spin this timeless rock ditty any day of the year, but with all the talk of chills, shivers and shaking – it deserves a headlining spot in this weekend’s line-up.
9. NDN Stakes – A Tribe Called Red: If you haven’t yet listened to the Polaris Prize long-listed album from Canadian electronic dance group ATCR, you’re seriously missing out. Whether downbeat or dub-infused dance tracks, this Ottawa crew’s electric powwows are an addictive blend of traditional First Nations music and hard-hitting electronic.
10. Ghetto Rock – Mos Def: Early millennium hip-hop is essential to any soiree, but the growling bass in this Yasiin Bey favourite is especially fitting at a low-lit monster mash.
11. Vampire – Black Joe Lewis: Oof, this bluesy little number is equal parts scary and scorching, i.e. made for a full moon living room groove.
12. Black Skinhead – Kanye West: Last, but certainly not least – the winner of the lot. Take a listen – I don’t think I need to comment further on this one.
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