With Halloween upon us, and Instagram beginning to fill with girls sporting a Vampira look for their selfies, it begs the question what is Goth? The answer might not be revealed in Dead Posey’s new album Are You In a Cult (Self-Released), but this duo is banging out some fun-filled arena rock that has more in common with The Pretty Reckless than it does Siouxsie and the Banshees. The album is full of catchy choruses and frontwoman Danyell Souza sings about creepy things, but it packs the kind of punch that would be more at home at the Welcome to Rockville fest than, opening for The Cure.
The first song that sounds dark is “Darkside” Given its name how could it not be? There is a touch of Marilyn Manson in a song like “Welcome to the Nightmare”. Though the song itself is a metaphor for the current state of politics. “Can’t Take Me Down”, is driven by the raw honesty of Souza’s lyrical delivery and their songwriting formula that employs infectiously anthemic choruses. Her voice is strong and dynamically nuanced. The excellent production makes the most of a stellar mix that gives the right spaces for Souza to place her sensual moans, to create more emotional color.
“Russian Roulette” is possessed by a more upbeat groove moving things along. This stylistically winks in the direction of nineties Alt-Rock and makes the most of the band’s strengths. Danyell’s singing keeps it from going in a goth direction as she utilizes more rock grit whereas if Manson was singing this song, the theatrics of his voice would darken it. This is what answers the question what is goth? It’s a sound that uses a theatrical romancing of darkness both inner and outer to emote form in a sonically eerie fashion. This is touched on in the electronic pulse to “Sorry I’m not dead” though the upbeat chorus pulls it back into a more radio-friendly rock sound.
It’s hard not to be goth covering New Order, though, but a wiser choice might be covering a song that is not “Blue Monday” since it’s been covered by both Manson and Orgy. This version leans more toward what Manson did. “Scar” does the best job of blending who they are with the band they want to be and creates something fully realized. They are not the darkest band you will hear this Halloween season, but damn good at what they do and make ghoulish rock music that is fun and sexy. If you are a fan of hard-edged female-led rock bands, then these kids are certainly worth your time, as Souza is just as compelling of a vocalist as anyone out there today.
Buy the album here:
https://vibe.to/areyouinacult
8 / 10
WIL CIFER
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