“Halloween V mix” — RL Grime

While children will be parading in the streets on Oct. 31 in celebration of the largest candy giveaway of the year, EDM fans will be celebrating for a different reason: Los Angeles-based DJ and producer RL Grime will release his sixth annual Halloween mix.

The release is slated to drop sometime before the end of the month, but in the meantime fans can enjoy last year’s mix. On the release, Grime remixes well-chosen songs that perfectly complement his electro-house and trap musical performance style. The theme song from the Netflix hit-series Stranger Things, Travis Scott’s “Goosebumps,” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” are all featured on the mix. A special guest appearance from children’s horror author R.L. Stine is also featured.

I’m Deranged — David Bowie

David Bowie’s 1990s output is often overlooked; however, during this time the artist was continuing to push boundaries. “I’m Deranged,” released on the 1995 album “Outside,” is a haunting piece of music. Gone are the high-pitched vocals of “Hunky Dory” and “Ziggy Stardust.” On “I’m Deranged,” Bowie eerily croons over a disorienting instrumental, expressing a frightening plunge into madness. Strange spoken word samples and a discordant piano create the song’s frantic atmosphere, while a strong beat keeps things danceable. “I’m Deranged” also caught the ear of filmmaker David Lynch, who later included the track in his equally frightening 1997 film “Lost Highway.”

Theme from ‘The X-Files’

Sure, it’s not your traditional Halloween jam. But listening to the haunting whistle from one of the most influential television shows of all time makes it impossible to feel at ease. It doesn’t help when your parents buy a Haunted House CD that includes the ‘X-Files’ next to sounds of torture and screaming (thanks, Mom!). Even as the show fades into insignificance, the theme has lost none of its alien-like creepiness. These days it’s the stuff of 1990s nostalgia (and memes), but don’t delete it from your playlist just yet. When you need a decent Halloween throwback, turn to Mulder and Scully.

“Die Die Die” — Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

Bone Thugs’ “Die Die Die,” off its classic debut album, “E. 1999 Eternal,” reeks of impending murder. The sinister synth and piano strokes are interwoven in a series of deadly situations by morbid, harmonic raps by Krayzie and Bizzy Bone.

Maybe it’s the way the Cleveland rappers spit with such confidence that they’re “leather face comin’ to kill them at night” that’s most frightening — especially when summoning death is a common occurrence. Bone Thugs’ self-professed love for killing, dealing drugs and causing terror makes the entire atmosphere of the song disturbing.

This song builds from its own on-edge vibe. Perfect for the murderous imagery of this time of year.

The post Emerald Recommends: Halloween Songs appeared first on Emerald Media.