The term Midwest Gothic gained popularity in the mid 2010’s through Tumblr. Midwest Gothic can be identified through the many decrepit and isolated landscapes of Midwestern America. This term characterizes the horror of the many mundane landscapes within the states. Although these images are familiar to many and evoke specific emotions. Certain songs are also able to tap into this same niche category with even more intensity than photos.
What is the correlation between this aesthetic to how it sounds?
The images below resonate with the selected songs due to how hollow they are. Although many of the tracks are loud, the vocalists sound tired and desperate, almost as if the audience was listening to a vacant parking lot of a dying diner wishing to be closed. In this way, the songs resemble the abandoned, blue collar landscapes of America. Here are five curated songs that personify the Midwest Gothic genre attached with an image of their aesthetic.
1. “woodbury town center – demo” by widowdusk
Released as a single in 2022, “woodbury town center – demo” highlights the feelings of Midwest Gothic through their muffled guitar, choked lyrics, and dialogue-based intro. All of these aspects contrast each other in the void of life that their sound molds. widowdusk came together in California in August of 2022 and continue to tour and release music.
2. “New Angels (1995)” by Strictly Ballroom
On their Collected Recordings album, “New Angels (1995)” by Strictly Ballroom lines up perfectly with Midwest Gothic’s fading imagery. The song swings from low to high energy on the drop of a coin, creating a feeling of instability. And paired with its depressive lyrics, “New Angels (1995)” reminds its listeners that being comfortable is a luxury through its sporadic patterns.
3. “The Blah Blah Blahs” by Brave Little Abacus
With its loud instrumental and straining vocals, “The Blah Blah Blahs” by Brave Little Abacus captures the themes that Midwest Gothic categorizes. Brave Little Abacus are aggressive in their songs, yet their energy feels like a comfortable distance away. It is like listening to someone vent about an emotional event, similar to the sad structures found in neglected America.
4. “Leave Everything” by Vs. Self
“Leave Everything” by Vs. Self sounds like it was recorded in an empty soup can. Yet although its sound is extremely dampened, the song’s effect remains the same. The viewer feels distant, to what seems like a forgotten song. As if this specific track was found under a mahogany dresser in a flooded basement in Tennessee and then uploaded to Spotify.
5. “Solace” by Burial Etiquette
Stripped from the common muffle that a lot of these songs share, “Solace” by Burial Etiquette emphasizes simplicity. Its guitar is straightforward, drums are consistent, and vocals are familiar. Yet without the fuzz that most other songs of this genre have, the vocals on the track stick out like a sore thumb. And as far as Midwest Gothic goes, “Solace” sounds like a moldy slice of pie in a display case of a mom and pop dinner, in the best way possible.
As winter nears, the sights of Midwest Gothic appear more frequently. But now, instead of walking to your post office to see this aesthetic, you can sit in your warm room and visualize it without having to move an inch.
Outside of this list, what other songs remind you of forgotten America?
