Gothtober- Ductape; "Faded Flowers"

Here is a French goth band that is getting it right. Not dramatically removed from the Siouxsie school of Batcaving, they have some 80s new wave sounds in the mix that help give them their own sound that is relevant in 2026. Bands like this are why gatekeeping is important it is not about shunning other bands but making sure awesome bands like this find their right audience. If you don't get that sentence, then stop reading now. There is more of a cold wave dance vibe to "Fine," as it is more organice an the guitar does not come in until midway through. 

"Obscure" finds them beginning to play it safe, and sticks to the more familar 90s thump of their drum machine. Then the album begins to thankfully take a darker turn. The bass lines are not breaking new ground but are effective. The bass playing breaks from the drone on "Velvet Dawn," giving her a chance to let her voice dance with a different cadance. "Burn" is not a cover of the Cure. It's not that dark or driving.  "DERT" drifts by on a more atmospheric cloud. 

They switch things up for the some what moodier and more dynamic "Sad Gravity," which might be the album's best song. The more melancholic pulse and nuanced vocal melodies. It also builds into the sonically heaviest part of this album. Then they go into the more dancefloor-minded take on post-punk with "Delilik" and "Last Dance," which centers around a more Cure-like bass line, closing the album. The haunting moan of her vocals grows more hypnotic here. I will give this album a 9.5 and see how it grows on me; they refine all the things that already work well when it comes to the sonic scope of goth.It is just as relevant as the new Boy Harsher.

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