[2026] A roundup of dark Western songs I'd like middle schoolers to listen to
When we’re weighed down by melancholy, it’s the power of music that gently wraps around our hearts.
Sometimes we feel deep empathy by laying bare the darkness inside; other times we find encouragement amid despair—here are some classic Western songs that do just that.
Focused mainly on Gen Z artists, we’ve selected tracks that can stand beside the many kinds of emotional pain today’s middle schoolers (as of 2025) may face—heartbreak, friendship troubles, anxieties about the future, and more.
Listening while understanding the lyrics will make them resonate even more deeply.
Just be careful not to get swallowed by darkness that’s too deep—and by all means, try listening as you read the lyrics.
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[2026] A Collection of Dark Western Songs for Middle Schoolers to Listen To (11–20)
FSUMimi Barks
Mimi Barks, who’s attracting attention with her distinctive “Doom Trap” style.
Tracks from her February 2024 album THIS IS DOOM TRAP deepen self-reflection and contemplation of chaos theory through the theme of broken relationships.
The fusion of a raspy voice with metal and hip-hop helps convey profound despair and fear.
Lyrics that weigh the burden of love after a shattered heart and seek liberation from that anguish resonate with many listeners.
This work is perfect for those exploring a path of self-discovery and growth.
Experience Mimi Barks’s powerful message and unique sound for yourself!
NumbLinkin Park
It’s said to be a song sung to the singer’s own mother.
It can also be taken as a song between lovers, but it repeatedly sings about being tired of living the way the other person wants.
Interpretations vary, but even if you listen to it in middle school without understanding the lyrics, I think by the time you graduate you’ll be able to understand parts of it.
Happy?Mudvayne
This is a heavy rock band called Mudvayne that went on hiatus.
They’re praised for melodies that sublimate all their pain into beauty and fuse it with heavy rock.
While the band has a simple, very typical lineup, the guitar ensemble is delicate and well worth a listen.
Good Luck, Babe!Chappell Roan
In recent years, singer-songwriter Chappell Roan has been gaining international attention.
She’s won popularity for her expressive artistry rooted in queer culture and a sound reminiscent of 1980s synth-pop.
Released in 2024, this work portrays a relationship with someone who can’t accept their true feelings.
It carries a poignant message to a lover who keeps running from the truth out of fear of society’s gaze: one day, you’ll regret it.
Singing about the struggles of love and the pain of hiding your true self, the song reminds us of the importance of being who we are.
It’s a track I especially hope middle schoolers wrestling with friendship or romance will listen to.
used to youmxmtoon
mxmtoon, a Gen Z icon who took flight from her bedroom in Oakland to the world.
This song is featured on her April 2020 EP, Dawn.
It’s a bittersweet yet beautiful coming-of-age track that sings of nostalgia for days gone by.
It seems to portray the complex feelings that mix loneliness with optimism when you drift away from close relationships and familiar places.
The dreamy soundscape—like floating through a dream—and her gentle, intimate vocals tug at the heartstrings.
It’s the kind of song you’ll want to play on nights when you’re feeling a little sentimental.
As you settle into a new chapter of life, in those moments when you suddenly long for the past, it will surely be there to comfort you.