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The brief playlist “9 Songs Filled with Evil” features music that’s synonymous with evil courtesy of Breaking Benjamin, Lykke Li, and MGMT among others.

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty”.  Remember when Justin Bieber ‘preached’ after the Manchester terror attack about ‘God being in the midst?’ It’s Biblical (Zephaniah 3:17).  In the case of this playlist, well, things take a turn… no disrespect to the man upstairs of course. Utterly damning and devastating evil is in the midst – can’t you feel the flames encapsulating you right about now?!?! It’s not the deep of course, but the nine songs that appear on this evil playlist are all associated with evil.  Most of the song titles feature a word that is synonymous or closely-related to the word evil. “9 Songs Filled with Evil” features music courtesy of Breaking Benjamin, Lykke Li, and MGMT among others.

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1. Lykke Li, “Bad Woman”

so sad so sexy • RCA • 2018

Following a four-year hiatus, alternative singer/songwriter Lykke Li returned in 2018 with her fourth studio album, so sad so sexy.  At 34 minutes, she keeps things short and sweet. On the penultimate number, “Bad Woman,” she’s in apologetic, confessional mode for the wrongs she caused her lover.  While she’s unspecific – this is no bulleted list after all – before he’s gone, she wants to “…Show you what’s behind all of my sorrow / What’s inside all of the bullets I throw.” Well at least she admits she’s bad.

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2.MGMT, “Little Dark Age”

MGMT • Columbia • 2018

“Little Dark Age” initiates with alluring, mysterious synths, which serve as the pre-cursor to a sick, infectious, alt-pop groove.  The production is arguably, the best feature of the highlight from the MGMT comeback album, Little Dark Age.  Even so, vocally, Andrew VanWyngarden quickly proves he hasn’t missed a beat, sounding as tuned-in as ever. Throughout “Little Dark Ages,” he compellingly delivers the ‘frightening,’ poetic lyrics.  While he never forces things, VanWyngarden sounds more assertive compared to the past, which suits the lyrical content and theme.

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3. Yellow Claw, “Villain”

Ft. Valentina

New Blood • Barong Family • 2018

“Villain” serves as one of the standouts from New Blood, the 2018 LP by Dutch DJ/production duo Yellow Claw. The single marks the debut of 20-year old, LA-based singer, Valentina (Valentina Cytrynowicz), who gets off to a fast start, showcasing impressive vocal chops.  Yellow Claw does a fine job on the production end of things on “Villain,” giving her an energetic record, featuring a sleek, rhythmic backdrop. The beat and the syncopated synths are surefire fuel for the fire. Throughout the course of the record, Valentina reflects on a past relationship in which she’s the villain, apologizing on the pre-chorus for breaking his heart.  On the simplistic, yet catchy chorus, she confirms this villainous role.

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4. Andrew W.K., “The Devil’s on Your Side”

You’re Not Alone • Sony Music Entertainment • 2018

“You thought it’d be / An easy trip /But I took you for a ride / Whoa, the devil’s on your side.” Andrew W.K. gives this evil list exactly what it deserves – a hard-rocking, boisterous, badass gem. The eleventh track from the rocker’s 2018 album, You’re Not Alone is epic.  Despite a message sympathetic to the devil, who seems to be himself in this case, this record is as exuberant as they come.  Adding to that exuberance is a major key (good ole C major), with the deviations to minor coming during an epic, incredibly intense instrumental section.  The energy is infectious, regardless of the devilishness.

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5. Breaking Benjamin, “The Dark of You”

Ember • Hollywood • 2018

“The Dark of You” is the sixth song on Ember, the sixth studio album by rock band Breaking Benjamin. Though “The Dark of You” is an intense record, it’s also a beautiful one.  A slower number, frontman Benjamin Burnley sings with incredible expression, particularly on the catchy, dramatic chorus.  Notably, he’s backed by Derek Hough (Dancing with the Stars) on this most dark cut.

“Fade away to the wicked world we left / And I become the dark of you / Say a prayer for the wounded heart within / As I become the dark of you.”

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6. Joji, “Demons”

In Tongues (Deluxe) • 88rising / EMPIRE • 2018 

“The demons told me everything / They whisper in the night.” “Demons” features clever lyricism to say the least, with the central theme being a relationship.  Joji discusses an inevitable breakup – the “death” of the relationship. In some instances, it seems he’s putting a bandage on things, even as there’s no ‘smooth sailing’: “We don’t gotta die so soon / So I just behave for you.” On the chorus, he emphasizes warning over threat (“This is not a threat, I promise / It’s a warning baby, I just want you to know.”).  On the outro, he’s ready to end it: “Please just let me go / Let me go / I’ve seen enough…”

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7. Mansionz, “Wicked”

Ft. G-Eazy

Mansionz • Island • 2017 

Mike Posner and blackbear collaborate as mansionz, an eclectic group formed in 2016 encompassing hip-hop, pop, and R&B.  Their self-titled debut materialized in 2017, though was incredibly under appreciated and underrated.  Among the grooviest joints from Mansionz is “Wicked,” featuring G-Eazy.

The chorus is irresistible, even if its sentiment is oversimplified:

“She’s fucking wicked
But I love the way she hurts me
I’m so addicted to her loving
That girl is vicious
When you see her, be sure
That you’re keeping your distance
From her loving.”

So, she’s evil, but you love the evilness that she inflicts upon you? Got it… As always, G-Eazy is in his normal, f-boy lane: “She stopped my hand when I would try to put it up her skirt / She don’t wanna give it, she just wanna flirt.”

 

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8. Queens of the Stone Age, “The Evil Has Landed”

Villains • Matador • 2017

“The Evil Has Landed” ranks among the highlights of Villains, the 2017 Grammy-nominated album by Queens of the Stone Age. “The Evil Has Landed” is ambitious in length as well as its music.  From the start, the intro sets a foreboding tone, foreshadowing ‘the trip.’ The guitars are ‘souped-up,’ characterized by a heavy, distorted tone.  The guitar riffs have a bite, the drums pummel once more, undoubtedly anchoring the evilness down.  Vocally, Josh Homme isn’t quite as sinful-sounding as the instrumentation, providing a musical contrast with his more even-keel sound.  A guitar solo, following the first bridge, marks one of the elite moments. The form of the record is a bit unpredictable, but keeps things fresh. #Juggernaut.

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9. Fleet Foxes, “Mearcstapa”

Crack-Up • Nonesuch • 2017

“Mearcstapa” – that totally sounds evil! So, what exactly is a mearcstapa?  It is an old English word that literally translates to march stalker, but perhaps more accurately, it’s marsh stalker.  According to Amanda Petrusich of Pitchfork, “Mearcstapa” (the Fleet Foxes song) is named after a Grendel from Beowulf.  Also, interesting, though not directly related to the song, Mearcstapa is Monsters: the experimental association for the research of cryptozoology through scholarly theory and practical application.  Just FYI. In the context of the song, frontman Robin Pecknold focuses on the marsh stalker in the context of the sea, highlighting the words eyes (both verses) and lines (first verse) in particular. The biggest connection with evil is the fact mearcstapa is associated with monsters.

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Photo Credits: 88rising, Barong Family, Columbia, EMPIRE, Hollywood, Island, Matador, Nonesuch, RCA

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