darkwave means A musical movement that originated in the late 1970s, combining elements of new wave and gothic rock with dark, thoughtful lyrics and an undertone of sorrow. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 91 out of 100.
Why “darkwave” is a great word
DARKWAVE — [Noun] A musical genre fusing new wave's electronic textures with gothic rock's melancholic ethos. From dark (suggesting somber or gothic themes) + -wave (as in new wave), thus the 'dark' counterpart to new wave music. Unlike gothic rock, which is primarily guitar-driven and rock-oriented, or synthwave, which is typically nostalgic and upbeat, darkwave is defined by its synthetic, atmospheric pallor and introspective gloom. It is the cavernous echo of a drum machine in an empty hall, the slow-motion glide of a minor-key synthesizer, and a hushed vocal confessing into the static of a tape recorder—a testament to the resonant beauty forged from deliberate, elegant gloom.
noun
- A musical movement that originated in the late 1970s, combining elements of new wave and gothic rock with dark, thoughtful lyrics and an undertone of sorrow.“As well as mainstream pop you'll find dance, funk and all kinds of club music, world music and even very select genres such as darkwave medieval, darkwave gothic to darkwave neofolk.”