The Horrors excel at creating foreboding, atmospheric tunes.
But they’re much more than a one-trick pony. Their post-punk has evolved over the years with splashes of psychedelia and dream pop. On the sprawling “Something To Remember Me By,” the music’s upbeat vibe balances out the darkness. This synth-heavy epic rides an undeniable groove over buzzsaw guitars. At times, the clang of drums brings up visions of early Depeche Mode. It’s a move from the dive bar to the dancefloor.
Of course, it’s not all rainbows and puppies. “Now all that’s left behind/Now the fear, the slow divide/Seeing all the silent signs/Something to remember me by,” Faris Badwan sings. It may be a bit heavy, but what else would you expect from The Horrors? If the band’s legacy narrows to a single song, you’d be hard-pressed to find many better options than this one.
“Something To Remember Me By” is on The Horrors’ fifth album, V, out on Sept. 22.