This is just a fun list of songs that sound great to me for the vibes I’m seeking for my dark academia fantasy novels (3 now!) or the titles of the songs sound like would be perfect for dark academia.

There are MANY dark academia playlists already made on Spotify by better musical folks than myself! But these are mostly song titles that are giving dark academia vibes for me and my stories.

What makes a good dark academia vibes song?Lyrics are poetic in natureLyrics sound like obsession or fixation on something Classical, instrumental or delicate for studying to Starts calm and then crescendoes into something maybe a bit manic Dark themes in the song lyrics: death, murder, hate, lust, sins, revenge, competition Themes of toxic friendship or love Giving great gay vibes but it’s obsessive and a bit twisted Make you feel like walking by candlelight down echoic stone hallways My Dark Academia fantasy playlist

This playlist includes songs that are relevant to my stories and get me thinking about my characters and their personalities or their storylines. I will keep adding to this over time and please feel free to have a listen and follow it!

WARNING: Explicit content and language in these. They are dark, after all, and I write adult fantasy.

Artists, songs, and albums that sound dark academia to meFlorence and the Machine’s new album, Everybody Scream:One of the GreatsWitch DancePerfume and Milk (love the title too!)The Old ReligionDrink DeepYou Can Have It All (my fave of the album)

“Dug a hole in the garden / And buried a scream” – what a line!!

https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/0z7l9VEJyFMv8p8wffRDaF?utm_source=generator

Notable titles of Florence’s songs:Between Two LungsMy Boy Builds CoffinsHurricane DrunkGhostsSeven DevilsRemain NamelessBedroom HymnsStrangeness and CharmMermaidsHeaven is HereJenny of Goldstones (Game of Thrones)Big God

New favourite artist Earth to Eve songsThreat Level Orange (love!)No Kings (love!)I Lost My MindNo Friends Left in L.A.Boy’s My Bitch (love!)Atheist in TheorySugar Rush I Surrender

“I’ve been sipping bleach and washing whites with red wine”

Arcane tv show songsPaint the Town BlueTo Ashes and BloodHeavy Is The CrownHellfireCocktail MolotovRebel HeartCome PlayBlood Sweat and TearsPlaygroundMisfit ToysDynasties and DystopiaWhat Could Have Been

Taylor Swift song titlesThe Fate of OpheliaVigilante ShitFather FigureRuin the Friendship (definitely classic dark academia trope!)Illicit AffairsMad WomanEpiphanyMy Tears RicochetThis Is Me TryingCardiganEnd GameI Did Something BadLook What You Made Me DoThis Is Why We Can’t Have Nice ThingsGetaway CarDancing with Our Hands Tied

Billie Eilish song titlesBury a Friend (very dark academia)My Strange AddictionBirds of a FeatherYou Should See Me in a CrownBad GuyAll the Good Girls Go to HellWish You Were GayBittersuiteOxytocinEverybody DiesHalley’s CometTherefore I AmMale FantasyWhat Was I Made ForHostage& Burn

HozierArsonist’s LullabyeTake Me To ChurchFrom EdenWould That IEmpire NowWildflower and BarleyEat Your YoungDamage Gets DoneAll Things EndSon of Nyx Butchered TongueUnknown/NthDinner and DiatribesAngel of Small Death and The Codeine Scene SedatedForeigner’s God

“Don’t you ever / tame your demon / but keep ‘em on a leash”

Ellie Goulding songsFigure 8My BloodHalcyonDead in the WaterAtlantisBurnUnder ControlHearts Without ChainsTessellateRitualMidas Touch

“Breathe your smoke into my lungs”

Let me know in the comments if you have any other recommendations!

Sincerely,

S. xx