Can goth evolve beyond its post-punk roots, or must it remain confined to tradition? Through the dark sounds of DeathbyRomy, one writer explores what a broader, more open-minded “5th Wave of Goth” could look like.
The goth community had its first wave of goth, which spawned from post-punk, though what its founding members actually were is still debatable depending on who you ask, honestly.
As for me, goth nowadays can bridge gaps beyond a strict “goth only” box and into a broader spectrum of music. That is something the goth community sometimes has a hard time accepting, but fuck it. I’ll write this the way I see fit. I like what I like. I am not an elitist and accept artists for what they are.
This brings me to my terminology of the 5th Wave of Goth, which to me is not all that different, but broader and more open-minded.
What is the first artist to be explored in this series?
The artist I am introducing is known as DeathbyRomy. She is a standalone Mexicana artist whose music falls within the lines of dark pop, industrial, and goth. Her music stands up for women’s rights, speaks about mental illness, explores many dark themes, and incorporates elements of goth music.
What’s her music like?
Her music is like a cacophony of many styles, while still carrying an ongoing goth theme through guitars and electronic industrial influences. While some may categorize her more within industrial music, dark pop often enters the mix, though there are still constant gothic elements throughout.
One of her songs, Body Horror, explores the brutality of sexual abuse by men and presents it in a dark, pop-infused way. Meanwhile, her song No Mercy is more raw and carnal, with shredding guitars and themes of violence and death. Another track, Crash, focuses more on self-destruction and the mindset of living with a mental illness alongside a death wish.
Why do I like her, and why should you give her music a listen?
Her honesty feels raw, and her songs are unapologetic, while still carrying a message meant to help others. Especially women, the mentally ill, and likely the LGBTQ+ community as well. She speaks openly about sexuality, sex, and difficult realities.
For me, her music creates a space where I can let my thoughts escape and find common ground through relatability. I can listen to her and think, she’s awesome, I love this woman’s music.
Her self-expression feels honest and refreshing. I definitely recommend her if you enjoy artists who stand up for others, especially women, as well as people struggling with mental illness or members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you are going through a hard time or just need something relatable to connect with, her music may be right up your alley.
She is definitely goth, though maybe not in the traditional way everyone expects.
Gothic Bite Magazine 