Portland’s Darkswoon is a melancholic dark alternative trio blending elements of darkwave, post-punk, dream pop, shoegaze, and electronic music into a haunting yet resonant sound. Originally the solo project of Jana Cushman, now completed with Rachel Ellis on synths and beats and Norah Lynn on bass, the band’s immersive discography, including Bind, Bloom//Decay, and the upcoming Antivenom, has earned critical acclaim and a devoted live following. Their richly layered compositions pair ethereal vocals, propulsive rhythms, and atmospheric textures, creating deeply emotional soundscapes that resonate with both listeners and critics while establishing Darkswoon as a unique voice in the contemporary dark music scene. Darkswoon’s fourth LP, Antivenom, is set for release on April 3.
The brooding yet lively “Thread” is the lead single from Darkswoon’s highly anticipated new LP, and is a proper introduction to the nuanced fusion work of this young and established outfit. With a thudding, eerie undertone that anchors the shoegaze-style guitars and soaring vocals to reality, “Thread” jerks and bumps around with a deep focus that plays as reckless abandon, but everything about Darkswoon is nothing short of intentional. Despite the way the guitars bounce off the walls and the performance’s unpredictable structure, the whole song feels honed and present, giving every intricate sonic trick the air of intention. You may notice a tug on the heartstrings as you’re exploring the immersive atmosphere of “Thread,” and that’s from the heartbreaking lyrics. While the arrangement dances with itself, the vocals croon with longing, straining to reach a sense of connection from the depths of an emotional unraveling. Darkswoon is gearing up for a landmark release in April, and the mesmerizing darkness of “Thread” should be enough to have you sprinting to hear more from this band.
“‘Thread’ is a song about growing up with shared trauma, dealing with this common thread in ways that pull us apart and getting comfortable in the uncomfortable,” explains the band when asked about their latest single.
