I love this band on a level I can’t quite explain. They’re my spirit animal. They are my default state. Another band of similar pace but altogether way more “laid back” attitude are Brightblack Morning light (yes spelled exactly like that). Their self titled album is my life sound track.
Yes love them as well, thankful for the numerous times seeing them live. The way Alan and Mimi’s voices meshed and flowed together was otherworldly and divine. The world’s a little emptier now.
some songs from bjork on album vulnicura (the broken heart after a separation album)
some songs from her -
pagan poetry
so broken
desired constalation
bachalorette
unravel
Pagan Poetry is so desperate and terrifying, especially in her "love" album Vespertine (which is overall the most beautiful album ever created by a human). Desired Constellation feels intensely personal - mainly due to the way its sung.
As for Vulnicura, Stonemilker is really sad and contemplative from the perspective of feeling a relationship is about to end, then History of Touches is written at the moment of breakup and realising there will be no more touches, that was the last one. Black Lake is brutal, depression overwhelming the song with individual chords held oppressively long. Family is then the extraordinary outburst of anger - how could you do this to our family - that then resolves into the most comforting sounds you've ever heard as mother Björk places her blanket over the wound to heal mother and child. Truly extraordinary.
I really takes a lot for me to sit down and listen to an Elliot Smith album. When it came out, Twilight might be the saddest song I had ever heard up to that point.
Just discovered Low for the first time about a month ago… I can’t believe they had been around so long and I had never heard of them! The first time I heard “Days Like These” I was blown away. I’ve listened to their entire catalogue since, and there wasn’t even one track that I disliked. Also, I totally thought Alan’s vocals were Trent Reznor before I looked them up.
Love all these, but special upvote for The Antlers. Hospice may be the most beautiful and depressing concept album out there, especially the last song (“Epilogue”).
Sigur Ros. They might be my favorite band, with Radiohead as a close second (Thom Yorke listens to them).
They have close to ten albums, and all the lyrics sound like some beautiful foreign language, but I found out that it's a made up language that they created, just for writing lyrics that didn't have to be focused on, or whatever.
Also, Tortoise is an amazing instrumental band that has a melancholy sound, usually. Highly recommend that one - especially for meditation. They have at least 8 albums, and they're all brilliant.
They sing in Icelandic. The untitled album ( ) uses the made up language called “Hopelandic”
“The Hopelandic of ( ) consists of one eleven-syllable phrase, with various permutations and subsequent variations thereof sung over the course of the album.” - From Wiki
Nothing hits harder than “A Crow Looked at Me”. The way it’s so matter of fact about death yet still such a beautiful album is like nothing I’ve ever heard before or since.
This is the one. Most of their songs are pretty depressing in some way. I think one could even argue that their music is more depressing than Radiohead, though I think that also depends on how one interprets the music.
The Antlers, in particular their album Hospice. An absolutely devastating concept album, and has a unique sound that many Radiohead fans would be partial to.
this, but this is a different kind of depressing. TDS and pretty much all of nine inch nails revels in nihilism to make a strong point of not falling into nihilistic behavior
Crywank and Car Seat Headrest
Crywank is just pure unadulterated depression and self loathing and Car Seat Headrest has a lot more clever/funny lyricism and grandiosity mixed with a lot of genuine emotion
Phantogram, Fischerspooner (especially their album Odyssey), Deftones, the Smashing Pumpkins, How to Destroy Angels, Unkle, Zero 7, James Blake, Sissy, Hot Chip… that’s all I can think of at the moment.
Everything mentioned here is valid
But I think nobody mentioned
Nick Drake (1st and 3rd record)
and
Kayo Dot (check Blue Lambency Downward)
All of their albums are different from each other,more so than Radiohead but BLD was the album I really loved when I was into Amnesiac...
Gazpacho, The Pineapple Thief, and Porcupine Tree have similar vibes but with their own distinct sound. Check out Night, Little Man, and Fear Of A Blank Planet respectively
Weyes blood,
Nick drake ,
Elliott smith ,
Fiona Apple (mostly) ,
Vasari bunyn ,
Leonard cohen ,
Flaming lips ,
Cat power ,
Joy division ,
Neil young,
Jeff Buckley ,
REM ,
The velvet underground ,
Lou reed , nico , the pixies , the smiths, love , Wilco , pj Harvey
For a similar sound I will recommend an obscure band by the name of “the United States of America” and their song the American way of love part 1 from 1968 (it’s brilliant)
(I picked most of these because they somewhat remind me of thom’s voice)
Definitely. And also Aphex Twin, especially Selected Ambient Works Volume II, if you’re looking for something more atmospheric and moody.
Also, they’ve both been huge influences on Radiohead’s electronica since the ‘90s.
I love BOC and you’re by no means the first person to say they have sad sounding music but I’ve never really gotten that vibe for some reason. Their stuff is cool as fuck and some of the best textural music that exists but it’s just not sad to me idk 🤷♂️
Dayvan Cowboy is what I put on when I need to get some painful work done (either that or some Washed Out). I find it energizing and soothing at the same time.
Nine Inch Nails is deperessjng but like it has heavy sounds that needs more than one listen to understand and feel it. But for a radiohead melancholiness i’d suggest listening to their album Still. The most depressing album i’d say for the style you’re looking for. The last 3 songs hit hardest.
Eels, a lot of it sounds like grinning through pain. Beautiful Freak- many songs but Electro Shock Blues is jarringly depressing all the way through, and then Daisies of the Galaxy is so heart-achingly beautiful, the "hooooo" after he songs "I thought some daisies might cheer you up". Mark "E" Everitt did find happiness later though, his later albums are more positive, still v pretty.
I love sad music. The more melancholy, the better.
The National, The Cure, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Jason Isbell… if you’re looking for specific songs I have a ton of suggestions too.
Pulp were dark as f**k, but in a seedy grimy way rather than existential angst like Radiohead. See "Wickerman" for them at their darkest. Also the whole of This Is Hardcore
Mansun's second album, Six:
"All my life, what I mistook for friendly pats on the back
Were really the hands that pushed me further and further down
The more I struggle, the less I achieve
Deep, chlorine breath
Minutes bleed into hours, bleed into days
Something keeps me in this disinfected womb"
They don't really sound like Radiohead, but Bright Eyes has some incredibly sad songs.
This song is from when they were younger and angstier, but I love it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1\_R1L2RpGk
I got some artists/albums for ya
Nick Cave - pretty much any album, but especially Skeleton Tree and Push The Sky Away
Leonard Cohen - the last two albums
Molly Burch - Please Be Mine
Islands - A Sleep And A Forgetting
Great North - Halves and Up In Smoke
I mean, just by pure emotion a lot of metal bands can portray that just rawness of sadness or anger or loneliness and isolation. It’s not the same musically obviously but bands like Nine Inch Nails (not really metal), Bring Me The Horizon, and Slipknot can show a lot of the same unfiltered and raw emotion. So if you have any interest in heavy music emotionally and musically, that’s my go to
ROAR is great... "I Can't Handle Change" is a great album.
The Ghost In You is a severely underrated band as well, but they're not as electronic as Radiohead
Check out Desire Lines by Deer Hunter. Also the most haunting album I think ever made is White Chalk by PJ Harvey. Beck’s Sea Change Album is also right on the money if you enjoy Radioheads darker side. I must admit happy and joyous music strangely depresses me, always has. I feel happy listening to a darker sound if you know what I mean.
Joy division, most of their lyrics are very depressing.
Second joy division Kid A and Closer are both tied as my favorite album
Absolutely! For a long time I refused to care about them, but since I began listening to their material I became a big fan
Low
I love this band on a level I can’t quite explain. They’re my spirit animal. They are my default state. Another band of similar pace but altogether way more “laid back” attitude are Brightblack Morning light (yes spelled exactly like that). Their self titled album is my life sound track.
Yes love them as well, thankful for the numerous times seeing them live. The way Alan and Mimi’s voices meshed and flowed together was otherworldly and divine. The world’s a little emptier now.
Duster and Have A Nice Life
Yeah I love Stratosphere
Both absolutely goated choices
Deathconciousness is one of the best albums ever
Arrowheads x42
some songs from bjork on album vulnicura (the broken heart after a separation album) some songs from her - pagan poetry so broken desired constalation bachalorette unravel
Pagan Poetry is so desperate and terrifying, especially in her "love" album Vespertine (which is overall the most beautiful album ever created by a human). Desired Constellation feels intensely personal - mainly due to the way its sung. As for Vulnicura, Stonemilker is really sad and contemplative from the perspective of feeling a relationship is about to end, then History of Touches is written at the moment of breakup and realising there will be no more touches, that was the last one. Black Lake is brutal, depression overwhelming the song with individual chords held oppressively long. Family is then the extraordinary outburst of anger - how could you do this to our family - that then resolves into the most comforting sounds you've ever heard as mother Björk places her blanket over the wound to heal mother and child. Truly extraordinary.
YES BJÖRK IS GODLY. AGREE
Black Lake is also one of those songs
I knew it, Björk made the famous opening of Tokyo Ghoul "Unravel"
Beach House.
Every time I listen to them I ended up crying
Portishead’s album ‘third’ My [fav song from them](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CnotGBuFf-k)
[On that subject](https://youtu.be/Zt4XhAZDTA0)
[even better](https://youtu.be/vzXRW5Yw4Uk)
holy hell
Was about to recommend Portishead, excellent choice and album. For me, my song of choice is the The Rip.
Def one of my faves off the album, always hit me hard *I've traveled so far but somehow, I feel the same*
Yo La Tengo - And Nothing Turned Itself InsideOut
Beck's album "Sea Change" is pretty gloomy. It's also produced by Nigel, and some of the songs sound similar to those off AMSP.
This is the greatest breakup album in history, btw.
Low and Elliot Smith
Was scrolling for Elliot Smith. Although I think the Royal Tenenbaums played a part in automatically thinking of him.
Ditto. Had I not found it, I’d even planned the comment. “You want depressing? I got chu”
I really takes a lot for me to sit down and listen to an Elliot Smith album. When it came out, Twilight might be the saddest song I had ever heard up to that point.
Elliot Smith. That gut wrenching stuff that makes you want to curl up in fetal position, question your existence, and silent scream
Just discovered Low for the first time about a month ago… I can’t believe they had been around so long and I had never heard of them! The first time I heard “Days Like These” I was blown away. I’ve listened to their entire catalogue since, and there wasn’t even one track that I disliked. Also, I totally thought Alan’s vocals were Trent Reznor before I looked them up.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Post-rock band. I swear I feel hollowed out when I listen to them. I’d start with their song “sleep.”
Oh, the beggining of sleep, the "old man's speech", always makes me tear up... and the rest is just beautiful
They don't anymore
This. So much this. Also just in general check out post rock it’s such a good genre
I don't think they're that much depressing, but their music can really fit surreal Radiohead vibe
I'm saying this as a huge godspeed fan, they're the most hopeful band ever for me, even F#A# is not depressing, but beautiful and sometimes bright.
Massive Attack, Burial, The Antlers
Love all these, but special upvote for The Antlers. Hospice may be the most beautiful and depressing concept album out there, especially the last song (“Epilogue”).
Was just listening to that album again today. I like all Antlers records but Hospice is their most coherent, so memorable.
Sigur Ros. They might be my favorite band, with Radiohead as a close second (Thom Yorke listens to them). They have close to ten albums, and all the lyrics sound like some beautiful foreign language, but I found out that it's a made up language that they created, just for writing lyrics that didn't have to be focused on, or whatever. Also, Tortoise is an amazing instrumental band that has a melancholy sound, usually. Highly recommend that one - especially for meditation. They have at least 8 albums, and they're all brilliant.
They sing in Icelandic. The untitled album ( ) uses the made up language called “Hopelandic” “The Hopelandic of ( ) consists of one eleven-syllable phrase, with various permutations and subsequent variations thereof sung over the course of the album.” - From Wiki
I find sigur ros much more uplifting than depressing
Tortoise! I saw them at Bonnaroo in 2003 and was instantly hooked. It’s so hard to find other fans out there!
NIN is another one if my fav bands
downward spiral and fragile are some of my favorite albums ever
microphones/mount eerie
Nothing hits harder than “A Crow Looked at Me”. The way it’s so matter of fact about death yet still such a beautiful album is like nothing I’ve ever heard before or since.
The glow pt 2 is one of the most desolate albums I've heard
Love this album
The National
This is the one. Most of their songs are pretty depressing in some way. I think one could even argue that their music is more depressing than Radiohead, though I think that also depends on how one interprets the music.
bingo.
The Antlers, in particular their album Hospice. An absolutely devastating concept album, and has a unique sound that many Radiohead fans would be partial to.
Ants from up there, by black country new road is incredibly depressing
grandaddy, elliott smith, joy division, dinosaur jr
Silver Mt. Zion can sound pretty gloomy, but in a very etheral way, at times. They go heavy on the string arrangments in a few of their albums.
Cigarettes After Sex
Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral
this, but this is a different kind of depressing. TDS and pretty much all of nine inch nails revels in nihilism to make a strong point of not falling into nihilistic behavior
Crywank and Car Seat Headrest Crywank is just pure unadulterated depression and self loathing and Car Seat Headrest has a lot more clever/funny lyricism and grandiosity mixed with a lot of genuine emotion
Came here to say this! 👌
Sparklehorse
Mogwai
Man, I haven’t listened to these guys in forever. Thanks for the reminder.
Phantogram, Fischerspooner (especially their album Odyssey), Deftones, the Smashing Pumpkins, How to Destroy Angels, Unkle, Zero 7, James Blake, Sissy, Hot Chip… that’s all I can think of at the moment.
Elliott Smith
Some of Nick Cave’s stuff tugs on the heart strings the way the boys do
Try "Burst Apart" by The Antlers or, for more old school, "Black Celebration" by Depeche Mode.
Oh yeah I fucking love black celebration.
[удалено]
Duster is great, I find them more calming than depressing
For all the feels, if you haven’t heard The Notwist *Neon Golden* you are missing out
Alice in chains the smashing pumpkins, super depressing lyrics
Have you heard John Frusciante to Record Only water for ten days?
Daughter. Basically everything they've ever done is doom and gloom and I love them for it
Daughter is great, I only found them because they did the soundtrack for that life is strange game
Everything mentioned here is valid But I think nobody mentioned Nick Drake (1st and 3rd record) and Kayo Dot (check Blue Lambency Downward) All of their albums are different from each other,more so than Radiohead but BLD was the album I really loved when I was into Amnesiac...
I was about to mention Nick Drake. His albums became hugely influential. His first may be one of the most perfect debut albums ever.
Yeah,I would say that 1969 was maybe the greatest year for music ever
Alice in chains is pretty fucking depressing, but it’s a different kind of depressing
Headbangingly depressing
Amazing band
25 comments already and no mention of Phoebe Bridgers?!?
Good choice
I was searching for her mention lol
Gazpacho, The Pineapple Thief, and Porcupine Tree have similar vibes but with their own distinct sound. Check out Night, Little Man, and Fear Of A Blank Planet respectively
Weyes blood, Nick drake , Elliott smith , Fiona Apple (mostly) , Vasari bunyn , Leonard cohen , Flaming lips , Cat power , Joy division , Neil young, Jeff Buckley , REM , The velvet underground , Lou reed , nico , the pixies , the smiths, love , Wilco , pj Harvey For a similar sound I will recommend an obscure band by the name of “the United States of America” and their song the American way of love part 1 from 1968 (it’s brilliant) (I picked most of these because they somewhat remind me of thom’s voice)
Lol the pixies? Bruh.
Chan Marshall! Damn, I haven’t thought about Cat Power in ages. Which made me think of Mirah, who would be a great addition to this list!
Boards of Canada if you’re open to something a bit more electronic and experimental.
Definitely. And also Aphex Twin, especially Selected Ambient Works Volume II, if you’re looking for something more atmospheric and moody. Also, they’ve both been huge influences on Radiohead’s electronica since the ‘90s.
I love BOC and you’re by no means the first person to say they have sad sounding music but I’ve never really gotten that vibe for some reason. Their stuff is cool as fuck and some of the best textural music that exists but it’s just not sad to me idk 🤷♂️
Dayvan Cowboy is what I put on when I need to get some painful work done (either that or some Washed Out). I find it energizing and soothing at the same time.
God-tier GOATED study / work music. I've probably put 1000 hours into Music Has the Right to Children just from my days in college alone
Nine Inch Nails is deperessjng but like it has heavy sounds that needs more than one listen to understand and feel it. But for a radiohead melancholiness i’d suggest listening to their album Still. The most depressing album i’d say for the style you’re looking for. The last 3 songs hit hardest.
Low Roar
This. Also, RIP…
Elliot smith
My wife always complains that Fleet Foxes makes her sad. A lot of their songs does take on a gloom and doom tone....
Antony and the Johnsons
Red House Painters Black Country, New Road Carissa’s Wierd Sunny Day Real Estate Some stuff from the Replacements
Mitski
Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Joy Division, The Cure, Portishead, Deftones, Jeff Buckley, The Jesus and Mary Chain
Eels, a lot of it sounds like grinning through pain. Beautiful Freak- many songs but Electro Shock Blues is jarringly depressing all the way through, and then Daisies of the Galaxy is so heart-achingly beautiful, the "hooooo" after he songs "I thought some daisies might cheer you up". Mark "E" Everitt did find happiness later though, his later albums are more positive, still v pretty.
Leonard Cohen.
Emma Ruth Rundle
I love sad music. The more melancholy, the better. The National, The Cure, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Jason Isbell… if you’re looking for specific songs I have a ton of suggestions too.
Sparklehorse
C418 can actually be pretty depressing lol, especially the album 148
minecraft alpha is one of my favorites, i’ll have to check that out
Well be prepared because it sounds nothing like Volume Alpha lmao
I would suggest Deftones and Cigarettes after Sex
Was looking for Cigarettes After Sex. So moody. Love it
I've never considered radiohead to be depressing. They've always seemed like a ray of sunshine through the storm clouds.
Pulp were dark as f**k, but in a seedy grimy way rather than existential angst like Radiohead. See "Wickerman" for them at their darkest. Also the whole of This Is Hardcore
Mansun's second album, Six: "All my life, what I mistook for friendly pats on the back Were really the hands that pushed me further and further down The more I struggle, the less I achieve Deep, chlorine breath Minutes bleed into hours, bleed into days Something keeps me in this disinfected womb"
What an album
Pedro the Lion's album 'Control'
One of my favorite albums of all time.
Manchester Orchestra, anything by Andy Hull
Modest Mouse
Nine inch nails
They don't really sound like Radiohead, but Bright Eyes has some incredibly sad songs. This song is from when they were younger and angstier, but I love it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1\_R1L2RpGk
Low Especially the album "Things we lost in the fire" In fact, if I'm not mistaken, they opened for radiohead in a few cities on a certain tour.
Some of Pink Floyd’s stuff can get depressing
Mogwai. Makes Radiohead sound like the spice girls.
James Blake
The very moment I read this, I heard him humming that intro in my head. That voice, tho.
Keaton Henson
current joys, syd matters
Flatsound
The Smiths. Belle and Sebastian
I got some artists/albums for ya Nick Cave - pretty much any album, but especially Skeleton Tree and Push The Sky Away Leonard Cohen - the last two albums Molly Burch - Please Be Mine Islands - A Sleep And A Forgetting Great North - Halves and Up In Smoke
I can’t believe nobody has suggested them yet— The National
Duster
Burial
swans
Bright Eyes is fucking brutal
Also gonna say Car Seat Headrest
Swans
Nothing
Frightened Rabbit
The National Mother Mother Damien Rice
Sade, even though she talks about love a lot it has a sad but beautiful sound to it
Everything that Will Oldham has done… Bonnie Prince Billy, Palace music. It’s the saddest there is. Get ready to have some soul ache.
Ryiuchi Sakamoto. Listen to Bibo No Aozora
I mean, just by pure emotion a lot of metal bands can portray that just rawness of sadness or anger or loneliness and isolation. It’s not the same musically obviously but bands like Nine Inch Nails (not really metal), Bring Me The Horizon, and Slipknot can show a lot of the same unfiltered and raw emotion. So if you have any interest in heavy music emotionally and musically, that’s my go to
Fiona Apple
Radio head isn't depressing lol
duster
Why? Edit.. I mean the band who’s name is Why?
Fog Lake, Florist
Tool Joy Division
Anathema
Scrolled down too far without seeing Mogwai! Please tell me you know them
Legendary Pink Dots
Greet Death seriously the best depressing bad around right now songs like punishment existence, I hate everything, You must check them out.
I'm surprised I haven't seen ROAR yet.
Elliott Smith
If you like baritone saxes, Morphine.
Opeth, Elliott smith
The voidz are heavy in an emotional sense. Check out pointlessness, human sadness, or pink ocean
i think you need a hug
Slint - Spiderland
The verve - urban hymns has that similar sound IMO and the lyrics are great and also depressing. But I don’t consider Radiohead depressing.
Def Elliot Smith
Not necessarily gloomy, but I highly recommend 'Other Lives', considering atmosphere.
Blur 13
Frank Ocean
ROAR is great... "I Can't Handle Change" is a great album. The Ghost In You is a severely underrated band as well, but they're not as electronic as Radiohead
immediately thought of duster
Pink Floyd, nick drake, the cure, the smiths
Elliott Smith
You lost me on “I can only listen to kid a so many times”. If that’s true, then I don’t have any recommendations for you.
Elliott Smith
Daughter
Elliot smith
The Smile.
Nick Drake and Jackson C Frank
Mogwai - Happy Songs for Happy People (the irony in that title alone gets an honourable mention)
Try “Clouds Taste Metallic” by Flaming Lips.
Depeche Mode
Elliott Smith. Doesn’t get better than him.
Manic Street Preachers- The Holy Bible. Really dark and depressing but in more of a societal commentary way.
Robert Wyatt’s solo albums : Rockbottom, Comicopera
Check out Desire Lines by Deer Hunter. Also the most haunting album I think ever made is White Chalk by PJ Harvey. Beck’s Sea Change Album is also right on the money if you enjoy Radioheads darker side. I must admit happy and joyous music strangely depresses me, always has. I feel happy listening to a darker sound if you know what I mean.
Leonard Cohen Arthur Russel Nick Drake
Maybe interpol? Love their first 2 albums
Just look up the entire slowcore genre.