This review covers independent artist Addy and his latest 2026 single, Afterlife. His music carries influences reminiscent of HIM, The Cure, and, to a lesser extent, She Wants Revenge.
Who Is Addy?
After listening to Addy‘s music, I can definitely hear elements of The Cure, though I don’t get as much of a She Wants Revenge vibe. To me, his sound leans more toward a relaxed, ’90s-inspired goth style while still feeling modern enough for today’s audience.
His music blends soft vocals with deeper bass tones, accompanied by guitars, drum machines, and synthesizers. As an independent artist, he has already released several singles, with Afterlife being his latest release for 2026 so far.
The Song Layout
The song runs for approximately 2 minutes and 33 seconds. I enjoyed the guitar work, which remains solid throughout the track. While the opening features some autotune, I especially liked the synthesizer melodies and the background beats that flow consistently from beginning to end.
The song builds in a way that reminds me of Opeth, with changing arrangements and gradual progression throughout the track. As the lyrics evolve, so does the music, creating a natural flow that keeps the song engaging.
The Story of the Song: My Lyrical Perspective
To me, the song is about love, longing, and the fear of being left behind. Even with some lyrical repetition, the story remains steady and flows naturally.
The overall feeling is one of sadness more than anything else. It speaks to missing someone, longing to be loved, and fearing the loss of that connection. At its heart, Afterlife feels like a melancholic romance with subtle themes of death woven into the lyrics.
My Final Thoughts
I think Addy has a very promising start as an independent artist. I also listened to several of his other songs on Spotify and was pleasantly surprised by what I heard.
My only two criticisms are that the autotune used at the beginning of the track wasn’t really necessary, and the song itself feels too short. Aside from those points, I genuinely enjoyed it. The guitar work and drum machine were particularly impressive and helped shape the atmosphere of the song.
His style reminds me of later-era The Cure and fits well within what I personally consider the emerging 5th Wave of Goth, a series I’ve been exploring through my recent reviews.
If you enjoy artists such as The Cure, Zeromancer, or Merciful Nuns, I recommend giving Addy a listen. He’s a promising goth artist with a solid foundation and plenty of potential.
Gothic Bite Magazine 