Sometimes, when the world is going to shit, the weather isn’t helping and your own head occasionally decides to make things even more complicated, you find yourself gravitating towards a particular kind of music. For me, lately, it’s been darkwave, post punk and all those darker corners of alternative music. I’ve been in that mood for weeks, probably months, and there’s something about these sounds that works wonderfully for me. The melancholic melodies, driving basslines and hypnotic rhythms have an oddly uplifting effect. They don’t drag me down, quite the opposite. They give me energy, clear my head and provide a soundtrack that somehow makes everything feel a little lighter.
Recently, while preparing an album review of Varsovie, I was listening to a French radio station and stumbled across Attitude FM, more precisely its excellent show Frontière Rock 100% Underground, presented by Dark Jérôme. The programme from 20 October 2026 turned out to be a particularly good source of musical discoveries. I was looking for one band and ended up finding several others that immediately caught my attention.
And, as often happens when you start following one musical thread, you end up somewhere completely different. I came across several names that immediately caught my attention. Six tracks in particular stayed with me, and I thought it would be worth sharing them here.
Welcome to Six Shades Of Darkness! Six artists, six tracks, and a little reminder that there is still plenty of exciting music happening well away from the usual suspects.
1. Mica , “Corpse Dance”
Los Angeles, USA
Genre: Darkwave, Post Punk, Alternative Pop, Avant Pop
Latest album: “Leave My Body Somewhere Dark” (2026)
Mica is part of the Southern California underground, bringing together post punk, darkwave and alternative pop. The project is built around Dustin Kemp, working alongside musicians and producers including Sinnerella, Elliott Kozel and Jace Warr.
Their debut album, “Leave My Body Somewhere Dark“, was released in May 2026. Its lyrical territory is pretty dark, dealing with doomed romance, obsession, grief, heartbreak and emotional self-destruction.
“Corpse Dance” is one of the album’s tracks and also appeared as a standalone single. A rather intriguing mixture of gothic atmosphere and alternative pop sensibility.
Official links: Bandcamp | Instagram
2. The Dharma Chain
Originally Byron Bay, Australia, now based in Berlin, German
Genre: Neo Psychedelia, Shoegaze, Post Punk, Krautrock
Latest Album: “Some Kind Of Pure State” (2026)
Originally formed in Byron Bay in 2020, The Dharma Chain eventually relocated to Berlin, where they continued developing their distinctive blend of psychedelic rock, shoegaze, krautrock and post punk.
Their second studio album, “Some Kind Of Pure State“, was released in June 2026 through Spinda Records and collaborating independent labels. The record moves between hypnotic rhythms, swirling guitars and expansive psychedelic soundscapes.
“Minor Prayer” is the seventh track on the album and a particularly good introduction to their musical universe. There is something hypnotic about the way the song unfolds, making it an excellent discovery for anyone interested in the more psychedelic corners of the alternative underground.
Official Links: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp
3. This Eternal Decay
Rome, Italy
Genre: Industrial, Darkwave, Synth Pop
Latest Album: “Amigdala” (2027, forthcoming)
This Eternal Decay is an Italian dark electronic project featuring Riccardo Sabetti, associated with Spiral69, Andrea Freda, associated with Spiritual Front, and Alessio Schiavi, associated with Avant Garde.
Their music combines industrial elements, darkwave and synth pop, balancing electronic aggression with strong melodies and a distinctly melancholic atmosphere.
“Breathe In Silence” is taken from their forthcoming sixth studio album, “Amigdala“, scheduled for release on 15 January 2027 through Swiss Dark Nights. The track offers another reason to pay attention to a project that has already featured on We Shoot Music.
I previously introduced the band and their forthcoming album in a separate article, but some music deserves a second appearance.
Official Links: Previous We Shoot Music Article | Bandcamp | Facebook
4. Ioana Iorgu
Netherlands
Genre: Post Punk, Noise Rock, Shoegaze
Latest Album: “Chamber Of Hearts” (2026)
Ioana Iorgu is an independent producer and multi instrumentalist whose approach to music is refreshingly hands on. A self taught guitarist, bassist and drummer, she writes, records and produces her own material.
Originally from Malaysia, she began her musical journey in 2014 before gradually moving towards a heavier sound, combining dissonant guitar riffs, powerful rhythms and raw vocals.
Her music sits somewhere between post punk, noise rock and shoegaze, often creating an intense atmosphere built around distorted guitars and emotionally charged performances. She was also selected as a Never Mind The Hype talent during Popronde 2023.
“Tides” caught my attention during the radio broadcast and offers a good introduction to her musical world.
Official Links: Website | Bandcamp | Facebook
5. Mark E Moon
Douglas, Isle Of Man
Genre: Gothic Rock, Darkwave, Post Punk, Synth Pop
Latest Album: “REDACT” (2026)
Formed in 2018, Mark E Moon is the musical partnership of Mark Sayle and Phil Reynolds, based in Douglas on the Isle of Man.
Their sound draws from the darker side of late seventies and eighties alternative music, combining gothic rock, post punk, darkwave and electronic textures. Phil Reynolds also brings an interesting musical history to the project, having previously played with Suicide Highlife and Colon, the latter recording a BBC John Peel Session.
“Throw The Bones” was released in October 2026 through Cold Transmission Music. Driven by prominent basslines, big drums and memorable choruses, it has a distinctly gothic flavour without feeling like a museum reconstruction.
A particularly enjoyable discovery for anyone who appreciates the darker side of alternative music.
Official Links: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp | Cold Transmission Music
6. Vacum
Sundsvall, Sweden
Genre: Punk, Post Punk, New Wave
Latest Album: “Dum Dum Tiden” (2026)
Vacum originally emerged from Sundsvall in January 1979, becoming part of the first wave of Swedish punk and new wave. The band was closely associated with the independent Massproduktion label and played an important role in the local underground scene.
After releasing music during their original period of activity, they eventually split in 1985, leaving behind a catalogue connected to the history of Swedish punk.
Four decades later, Vacum returned with “Bensin Och Låtsaspengar“, released in May 2026. It marked their first new single since 1985 and eventually led to the recording of a new album, “Dum Dum Tiden“, released in October 2026.
There is something rather wonderful about seeing a band return after such a long absence, particularly when they come back with new material rather than simply revisiting their past.
Official Links: Bandcamp | Massproduktion Records | Music Video | Instagram | Facebook
