Despairingly dark Western music. World-famous classics and popular songs.
Even though it’s not exactly a good habit, when we’re feeling down we tend to listen to dark songs, don’t we…?
This time, I’ve picked out some “desperately dark” Western tracks that I’d recommend to anyone in that mood.
Even within “desperately dark,” I’ve chosen from a range of genres—from quiet, subdued pieces to metal tracks that are dark yet crank the voltage to MAX.
I’ve covered most of the major genres, so music nerds shouldn’t miss this!
There are some pretty obscure songs in here too, so if you’re digging for great tracks, make sure to check them out!
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Despairingly Dark Western Music: World Classics and Popular Songs (31–40)
CheersSleeping With Sirence
This is a song by the American post-hardcore band Sleeping With Sirens.
The track features emo-inspired synth sounds and a dark atmosphere.
Together with the vocal melody, it creates an overall brooding mood that leaves a strong impression.
The song is included on the album “Gossip,” released in 2017.
The band was formed in Orlando, Florida, in 2009 and has been nominated for numerous awards.
In 2015, they won “Song of the Year” at the Alternative Press Music Awards for “Kick Me.” It’s a perfect track for when you’re in a dark mood, so be sure to check it out!
1-800-273-8255 ft. Alessia Cara, KhalidLogic
A signature work by Logic that expresses the heavy theme of suicide prevention through the medium of hip-hop.
Hailing from the United States, he rediscovered the power of music through interactions with his fans and created this piece.
The song skillfully portrays a shift in emotions from despair to hope.
Released in April 2017, it reached No.
3 on the Billboard charts.
It also had a significant social impact, including a 27% increase in calls to the suicide prevention hotline.
It’s a track I hope will be heard by those who feel life is hard, and by anyone who knows someone who might feel that way.
EverydayCeleste
This song is characterized by a catchy, memorable melody.
Released in January 2025, it highlights Celeste’s powerful vocals.
Hailing from the UK, she evokes a dark, horror-tinged atmosphere, expressing the desire for stability amid chaos.
It’s a track that showcases a new musical challenge from Celeste, whose debut album Not Your Muse reached No.
1 in the UK.
A proven talent, she was nominated for an Academy Award for the theme song of the film The Trial of the Chicago 7.
This work centers on everyday desire and obsession, making it a perfect song for those grappling with inner conflict.
The Dark RideHelloween
This song offers a glimpse into the darker side of Helloween, the power metal band from Germany.
It appears on their 2000 album The Dark Ride, which is known as a turning point in the band’s musical direction.
Marked by heavy guitar riffs and gritty vocals that set it apart from traditional power metal, the track’s lyrics strikingly explore the darkness, guilt, and madness lurking within the human psyche.
The album charted in multiple countries, reaching No.
11 on Japan’s Oricon chart.
It’s a recommended listen when you want to confront the darker emotions deep within or enjoy a weighty metal sound.
The Last BaronMastodon
It’s an epic track by a popular American progressive metal band.
Serving as the closing piece of a rock opera, it features a guitar riff with effected, digital-sounding tones, creating a sense of despair throughout.
Desperately Dark Western Music: World-Class Masterpieces and Popular Songs (41–50)
FSUMimi Barks
Mimi Barks, originally from Germany and now based in London, is gaining attention for her distinctive “Doom Trap” style that fuses raspy-voiced rap with metal.
Her tracks convey profound despair and fear, resonating powerfully with listeners.
A song from her February 2024 album, THIS IS DOOM TRAP, delves into the breakdown of human relationships, deepening themes of self-reflection and considerations of chaos theory.
The complex emotion of loving a broken heart is expressed through powerful vocals and dark soundscapes, making it a recommended track for those confronting their inner selves on a journey of self-discovery and growth.
Experience Mimi Barks’s singular world for yourself.
Endless DarkHiM
This is an early track by a Finnish gothic metal band that’s especially popular among women.
While many of their songs are beautiful and tinged with melancholy, this one is simply dark—utterly devoid of any pop sensibility, as the title makes clear.