Goth music emerged in the late 1970s as a subculture within the punk rock movement and, since then, has made waves not just in music but also in the film, TV and fashion industries. The genre is characterized by its dark and brooding lyrics, use of synthesizers, and focus on darker themes such as death, decay, and the occult, calling people to embrace the melancholy. Gothic music has significantly influenced the music industry, with artists such as Bauhaus, The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees becoming iconic figures in the genre. Budding artist Babalon further elevates the genre by infusing it with a unique dystopian concept.
The concept of Babalon is the brainchild of singer-songwriter Ali Spartels. Since releasing her debut album Draconis on October 7, 2020, Babalon has taken her listeners on a fantastical journey, diving deep into her psyche. The album’s title track, “Draconis,” sets the tone for the rest of the record with its intense and brooding soundscape. Overall, her music is characterized by a blend of electronic and industrial elements, focusing on creating immersive and atmospheric soundscapes. The lyrics explore deep and meaningful themes and are delivered with a sense of intensity and conviction that adds depth and meaning to the music. As a result, the song has captured the hearts of listeners across the UK.
The unique mix of elements from Indie, Electro Pop and Dark-wave Electro Pop is a stroke of genius, which comes as no surprise since Ali has been surrounded by art and music from a young age. Her parents are well-known names in Australia’s entertainment scene – her father is a songwriter for ABC’s long-running children’s television series “Playschool,” and her mother is Liz Alexander, an accomplished actress who starred in the Netflix hit series, “Clickbait.” Ali started to write songs at the age of five. Since then, she has also learned jazz piano.
Her background has also helped Ali develop an artistic eye. In fact, she is an admirer of filmmaker David Lynch’s seamless balance of both cheerful and macabre and uses him as inspiration in her visual content. Even in her latest single, “Scream,” her excellent taste in all things artistic becomes apparent as she decided to use the architectural style of brutalism in her music video. “Brutalism is an architectural style featuring bold, structurally innovative forms that use raw concrete as their primary material,” Babalon said. “It is like we are in some Soviet-era noir film.”
Riding on Draconis‘s success, Babalon continues exploring and developing her signature sound by trying more things. Her single “Scream,” which is already available across all digital streaming platforms, is a collaboration with music personalities Max Vangeli, Stonebridge and Going Deeper. This joint project has allowed her to delve into a new sound, leaning more into EDM and vocals.
With the goal of making more fresh and original music, Babalon continues to explore and expand upon the themes of power, self-discovery, and spiritual enlightenment present in her lyrics, offering listeners a thought-provoking and introspective listening experience.
