Iconic dark and cool Western songs — with some lesser-known gems too!
As we entered the late 2010s, songs with downbeat or dark atmospheres began topping charts around the world.
In recent years, Billie Eilish, for example, has become known for excelling in that style.
This time, we’ve selected Western tracks that are not only dark but also especially cool and stylish in their mood.
We’ve picked from a wide range of genres, from major hits to more obscure works, so we think both casual listeners and enthusiasts will enjoy this selection.
Please sit back and enjoy.
- Badass Western music. Tough/edgy music. World classics and recommended popular songs.
- Really dark... Classic Western songs | So dark that it may trigger depression—proceed with caution!
- A dark psy classic | Enter the world of dark and eerie psychedelia...
- Stylish Western music: Chic hidden gems that only the in-the-know recognize make an appearance!
- Stylish Western music: that catchy song you hear on the street corner
- Classic Western songs perfect for a cloudy day
- Emotional Western songs used on TikTok | Introduced from various genres
- The Aesthetics of Darkness: An Introduction to Gothic Rock — Notable Bands
- Despairingly dark Western music. World-famous classics and popular songs.
- Classic Western songs you want to listen to late at night
- Emotional Western Music Special | Handpicked from All Generations
- Hit Western songs from the 2010s. Recommended classics.
- Moist Western music | A slew of sweet classics make an appearance…
Dark and cool Western music masterpieces | Featuring lesser-known tracks too! (1–10)
FrozenMolly Zenobia
A track I especially recommend as a dark and cool piece is “Frozen.” The song is performed by Molly Zenobia, a singer-songwriter from the United States.
She’s quite obscure, so I imagine very few people know her, but all of her works are crafted with a dark, stylish, and cool aesthetic.
This piece is particularly outstanding among them, featuring a dark yet sophisticated vibe with a cool sound that evokes the image of a vampire.
Haunted by the Thought of YouJill Tracy
Jill Tracy is a female singer-songwriter based in San Francisco.
Known for her musical style that blends dark cabaret with elements of jazz, she also thrives as a composer and performer thanks to her strong compositional skills.
Among her works, the track I especially recommend for its dark, cool vibe is “Haunted by the Thought of You.” It’s a masterpiece where stylish jazz is mixed with the shadowy world of dark cabaret, creating a consistently compelling and sophisticated atmosphere throughout.
Í TokuniEivør
Eivør, a female singer-songwriter representing the Faroe Islands.
Her musical style is highly distinctive: a unique blend of Faroese folk and electronic elements that has earned high praise from dedicated music enthusiasts around the world.
Among her works, the one I especially recommend is Í Tokuni.
While it reflects the essence of Faroese folk, it’s crafted with an overall dark and cool atmosphere.
A fusion of folk and electronic music is quite rare, so be sure to check it out.
Dark and Cool Western Music Masterpieces | Minor Works Also Featured! (11–20)
WerewolfMotionless In White
Motionless In White is a metalcore band that has gained popularity for its dark aesthetic—rock fans are likely familiar with them.
Their take on metalcore leans more toward gothic metal and gothic rock, with many works built around a dark worldview.
Among them, the one I especially recommend is Werewolf.
As the title suggests, it’s a song themed around a werewolf, and it’s a fantastic piece that balances a dark atmosphere with undeniable coolness.
Definitely give it a listen.
The Path to DecaySirenia
Sirenia, the Norwegian band whose majestic symphonic sound and weighty guitar riffs lead listeners into a fantastical world.
Their songs reveal the beauty hidden within dark themes such as the transience of life and its inevitable end.
This piece from the acclaimed album The 13th Floor, released in January 2009, is their first work featuring the new singer from Spain, Ailyn.
Her wistful yet clear vocals contrast beautifully with the roars of founder Morten Veland, dramatizing the sorrow and struggle against a decaying fate.
When you want to immerse yourself in an epic tale, lend your ear to this beautiful melody and you’ll surely be moved.
RedboneChildish Gambino
Childish Gambino’s classic track, Redbone.
The song features heavy themes centered on anti-Black discrimination in America and became a global hit.
Its melody is weighty as well.
With a distinctive musicality and dark atmosphere that defy easy genre classification, it doesn’t come off as merely somber; instead, it feels stylish and cool throughout.
The contrast between the mechanical track and the emotive vocals is superb, so be sure to give it a listen.
Your Broken ShoreMy Dying Bride
My Dying Bride, pioneers of British Gothic doom.
Released in January 2020, this track appears on the masterpiece The Ghost of Orion.
It portrays searing despair and deep melancholy, as if standing motionless on the shore of shattered hopes.
Aaron Stainthorpe’s restrained roars and clean vocals weave a tragic soundscape that perfectly matches the band’s worldview.
Perhaps owing to the personal trials that surrounded its creation, you can sense a prayer-like anguish—and the peculiar beauty born from it—in every corner of the sound.
On nights sunk in inescapable sorrow, why not surrender yourself to this imposing sonic presence?