5 Mind-Boggling Songs
Brief tune for my cat pumpkin – poorly wrote suicide note
“poorly wrote suicide note” is a duo screamo band that blends elements of post-rock, bedroom, and Midwest emo into their music. They’re based out of Rochester, NY. The two sole members of the band happen to be sisters, Ashley and Mabel. “poorly wrote suicide note” (2023) is the band’s debut album, a self-titled one, and it has a very distinct sound. The vocals are emotional, whiny, and reminiscent of classic screamo vocals. The Midwest emo influence is apparent in the instrumentation with clean guitar tones, strange chord progression, and nuanced drum lines. The vocals and instrumentals are distorted to the highest degree, which gives a raw, homemade aspect. A degree of post-rock influence adds a distinct otherworldly layer to the project. It complements other elements of their sound, particularly their guitar work. This project is truly incredible; however, there’s one song that especially stands out, and that is “a brief tune for my cat pumpkin.” In case you can’t tell, the song is an ode to Ashley’s cat, Pumpkin. It’s simplistic. The only “vocals” are Pumpkin’s meows, which seem raw and realistic. The instrumentation is also straightforward, featuring melancholic, home-recorded ambient lo-fi-esque synths. Although simple, this song is exceptional in what it does. It’s a prime example of just how creative an artist can be with limited resources. Personality and emotion are what make a song truly remarkable, not expensive hardware. That’s precisely what the song excels in. On the surface, the dark synths, in true post-rock fashion, should instill anguish in the listener. That’s not the case; instead, the synths join with Pumpkin’s meowing. In turn, this causes the listener to feel Ashley’s love and deep admiration for her cat. It forms a vivid image in your head, and you will feel a sense of pure contentment. I imagine myself lying in bed under four blankets, keeping a perfect body temperature, and next to me, an older orange cat lies curled up in a ball. As trivial as this image may seem, I cherish it. That image makes me feel calm. I’ve always wanted a cat, but I’m severely allergic to cats, so I’ve never experienced the unique content that comes with a cat companion. The lovely “poorly wrote suicide note” and “a brief tune for my cat pumpkin” give me a rare chance to envision those emotions. For both my younger and older selves, I listen to that song to feel safe, stable, and at peace, all feelings that come with having a darling, silly, orange cat as a pet. For that, I am thankful.
Helios – fromjoy
“fromjoy,” based out of Houston, TX, is a hard band to define. They blend elements of metalcore, mathcore, breakcore, and other very differing genres into their wacky sound. This is especially true for their self-titled project, “fromjoy” (2023). Kellan King, Connor Sweeney (formerly of Loathe), as well as other collaborators like iRiS.exe and Damonteal (of PeelingFlesh), paved the way for the “fromjoy” self-titled (2023) and turned it into a ridiculous, chaotic project. The project consists of breakcore amen breaks, brimming with textured and layered effects. The breaks are coupled with ethereal synths to create an out-of-this-world effect (“Eros” being a prime example). The vocals come in various styles, ranging from angelic, echoed singing to passionate, angry screams and deep, bellowing gutturals. The guitars are rich with power, drop-tuned djent-esque riffs that feel like right hooks to the chest. They also add tremolo-picked riffs that build a new type of emotion you’ve never felt. Piano that could be from a distant galaxy and blasting drum lines that feel like stab wounds are also utilized. While the entire record feels like a privilege to listen to, “Helios” stood out the most. This unusual interlude features a jazz-infused R&B backbone. It features entrancing saxophone breaks, atmospheric vaporwave influence, and distorted layered effects. In the forefront, it consists of face-tearing metal/mathcore, slow, and textured chugs. This song serves as a lengthy breakdown interlude, a freaky and deranged one. Initially, you have no clue what’s going on. It gets in your face and asks you how far you can take experimentation in music. It asks you what genres could be blended and still produce a decent result. Who infuses the most relaxed romantic sound and the most hateful rage-filled sound together? “fromjoy” does, and their talent is immeasurable. “Helios” is a testament to that. It scratches my brain in the most unreachable spot; it’s a calm, orderly chaos where one can spin kick their friends straight in the face while wearing a full tuxedo, all while balancing a martini garnished with the dried blood of their enemies. This song is over the top. It’s strange, it’s chaotic, it's confusing, and it’s so fun to listen to. The more I listen to it, the more it grows into one of my favorite instrumental songs. “Helios,” from the masterminds known as “fromjoy,” is one hell of a unique song that shouldn’t exist. I must say, though, I’m glad it does.
Mandragora – Lepra
“Lepra” is a band that bends the genres of black and gothic metal into each other; in their own words, they’re black velvet metal. The band is a trio based out of Portland, ME. Sarah Ruggiero is on bass and vocals, Kate Istomania is on keys and vocals, and Nyssa Ornitier is on drums. Their debut album, “Devil’s Blood in Her Tongue” (2023), contains a very gothic theme. It leans into the deathrock and post-punk sound (this is where the “velvet” part comes into play). However, it requires further explanation. There are no guitars in this project; instead, synths are used. These synths emerge as soul-taking, symphonic, and atmospheric black metal riffs, tremolo-picked with maximum distortion. Still, they maintain that Deathrock and Gothic Cathedral influence. There are elements of doom metal characterized by dense, textured, slow, and grimy bass. The vocals are a mix of the souls of the damned and the unholy fry-screamed wailing. The project is overall a ride, but “Mandragora” is especially depraved. This song is downright haunting. The imagery portrays love as ritualistic, both inherently good and evil, from the perspective of a woman, hardened by triumph, who takes control of her will, free from moral constraints. The connection between people is depicted as binding, like a spell. Mandragora, or mandrake, is a plant that plays a significant role in rituals and spells. In the song, it helps a witch in the establishment of dominance within a magical incantation. “Mandragora” is just as grim as the story it tells and the sound of the whole album; however, the vocals seem especially supernatural, and they feel as if they’re coming from the bottom of a crypt. This is true for both the anguished screeching and the ghostly singing. The synths are reminiscent of a spectral organ played by Dracula’s nightmarish soul. Then comes the bass work; within a breakdown-type part of the song, the bass shines through and sounds like it’s ran through a tombstone. The chord progressions are a different breed, and they feel like the center of the profane ritual. When the blasts from the drums come into play, the ritual feels as if it has reached its peak. To wrap up the song, a piano is used to create an atmosphere unlike any other, filled with conflicting emotions. The entire song is a romantic and intoxicating listen. It paints a strong picture of a witchy love (or lust) story, featuring a horrifying, powerful, and hardened female lead character from beyond the physical plane. I love it. It scratches the itch I get for dark, almost sinful music. It creates beautiful images in my head, and I feel possessed. It's all packed into a metal song that has no guitar, which is so crazy to me. “Mandragora” by the gothic deities “Lepra” is a unique and alluring change of the gothic and black metal genres.
Pthumerian Queen – Rakuyo
“Rakuyo,” comprised of 5 members, is based out of Philadelphia, PA. They’re primarily a deathcore band with some mathcore and melodic influences. “A Paleblood Sky” (2024) is their very first project. The sound this EP possesses changes your brain chemistry. It has a dark, fantastical theme that is inherently aggressive. The vocals range anywhere from deep guttural growls to fry-adjacent screeches. The panic chords are chaotic and nonsensical. They clash together, and it creates a thick dissonance, as any perfect panic chord should. The contrast between the fast, tremolo-picked riffs and the deep drop-tuned chugs fills you with a sense of twisted glory, and it makes you want to rip malevolent beasts in half. The breakdowns are ridiculous. Those disgusting chugs are coupled with distorted bass boosts that only intensify the urge to hunt beasts. The samples nail the project’s theme right on the head. They surround you in a shroud of shadow. This is partly due to “A Paleblood Sky” being based on the PlayStation-exclusive Dark Souls-like game Bloodborne (2015), which, much like the song, encapsulates a dark, fantastical theme and has an emphasis on slaying beasts. The samples used are from Bloodborne; the band’s name, “Rakuyo,” is named after a weapon within the game, and “A Paleblood Sky” is a homage to the game’s sky during a specific event. Within this unruly project, “Pthumerian Queen,” a reference to a boss within Bloodborne, sticks out the most. The song starts heavy, and its sound is consistent with the overall project. However, there’s an interlude towards the middle of the song that makes you think, “Oh, it’s slowing down” or “Oh, it’s coming to an end.” That’s just not the case; instead, they showcase their unique take on pacing. It leads to tremolo-picked riffs that build up to be something from hell and make you feel as though you’re in the heat of the battle with the most unholy creature to ever exist. The end holds the most evil and energetic breakdown, with samples of a bell ringing throughout, which makes you feel like you’re too powerful for your own good. When listening to this song, I swear I feel like the main character of Bloodborne, The Hunter. I don’t think very many songs can make me feel as unstoppable and as alive as this one does. I can’t stop listening to this crazy take on deathcore; it’s entirely transformative, and I’m addicted to it.
You Think – Planning For Burial
“Planning for Burial” is an ambient and droning post-rock doom/shoegaze solo project from Wilkes-Barre, PA. Thom Wasluck is the mastermind behind it. “It’s Closeness, It’s Easy” (2025) is his most recent album. It’s split into different sounds, a mix of pure ambient (“(blueberry pop)” and “Farm Cat, Watching”) and his insane take on shoegaze (“You Think” and “A Flowing Field of Green”). “It’s Closeness, It’s Easy” will consume you, but in the best way. The more ambient songs are inherently melancholy, and their heavenly synths blend with various instruments, such as heartbreaking piano or anguish-inducing cello and organ, to create an expansion of reality around you. A reality filled with strangely invigorating dissociation. The more “gazey” leaning songs feature heavily distorted, layered guitar riffs and tortured vocals that, at times, give way to screams. Thematically, the album focuses on confronting the reality of living and finding meaning in it, the pain in saying goodbye to those close to you, and the cold and warm feelings, love, and dread, which come with time proceeding within its passage. Although the entire album is phenomenal, one song, “You Think,” stood out the most. Its sound is consistent with the shoegaze side. Still, it also contains dissonant, tremolo-picked riffs that confront the psyche, as well as slow, glorious, and deep riffs that haunt the soul. The vocals are especially pained in this song; they sound like they’re sobbing. “You Think,” thematically, reflects on long years of self-destruction, how they ended up being a blur involving pushing away loved ones, how living this whole life without connection can lead to internal turmoil, and how all this is not always understood by others. Personally, although I may be biased in this statement, as I am a long-time fan of “Planning for Burial,” I genuinely believe “You Think” is perfect. I love the way this song makes me feel defeated, and yet at the same time, hopeful, hopeful to continue my life and live it as if my past did not matter. I tried my best to define it above, but I cannot entirely explain its uniqueness, and that is beautiful.