Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun music A musical movement that originated in the late 1970s, combining elements of new wave and gothic rock with dark, thoughtful lyrics and an undertone of sorrow.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

dark +‎ wave; compare new wave.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word darkwave.

Examples

  • My shipment from Middle Pillar distributors came in yesterday too, so I have plenty of small-label darkwave and musical esoterica to keep me occupied for a while.

    freakshows, sickness, preamps, and mail woes badger 2001

  • Truly, the fans Gothic "darkwave" can rejoice from the soul.

    Worldwide music 2008

  • Because just as glo-fi and its witch house corollary have exponents on both sides of the Atlantic, now we've got our own darkwave troubadour in Zoo Kid.

    Zoo Kid (No 916) Paul Lester 2010

  • This darkwave troubadour might be a Brit School alumnus, but his synth-noir sound is about as far removed from the fame-academy archetype as you can get

    Zoo Kid (No 916) Paul Lester 2010

  • Excellent ethereal at times darkwave / synthpop stuff.

    (Thu-Fri) bands bands bands: Hungry Lucy, Bloodwire, White Widow badger 2005

  • Went to VIP Ultralounge the old Metro Wednesday night for the hopefully first of their darkwave/industrial/goth/etc. nights.

    books, newclub, film badger 2005

  • Two decades of darkwave band Attrition is performing this Monday night at Legends in Raleigh.

    ha ha it is to laugh (weird weather) badger 2005

  • Short version: Attrition official site played in town last night, and, at least in my opinion, lived up to the standard expected of a group that helped define darkwave twenty years ago and is still performing.

    Attrition last night badger 2005

  • Cthulhu: Catholic darkwave: duckweed synthpop: Xanthippe, sandpiper

    LJ spellchecks badger 2003

  • Today has gone generally well once I got started, aided by this great album of original synthpop/darkwave stuff Josh gave me last night to listen to.

    [film] Whale Rider badger 2003

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.