The Darts Weave Medieval Imagery into the Sonic Grit of Seattle Garage Rock

Seattle-based quartet The Darts have released “Apocalypse,” a track that marks a distinct shift in the sonic trajectory of their upcoming album, Halloween Love Songs. While previous material explored a cinematic, B-movie aesthetic, this latest composition leans into a heavier, more primitive soundscape characterized by volcanic fuzz and aggressive rhythmic structures.

The thematic origins of the song can be traced to Angers, France, where vocalist and organist Nicole Laurenne visited the Apocalypse Tapestry. Confronted by the medieval depiction of cosmic chaos—weaving together angels, beasts, and storms—Laurenne found the visual narrative struck a chord with contemporary sentiments.

Rather than interpreting these images through a lens of doom, the songwriting process reframed the destruction as a form of liberation. The lyrics pivot on the concept of freedom from authority and uncertainty, encapsulated in the line “no future, no kings.”

Musically, the arrangement functions as a nod to the garage rock lineage of the 1960s. The track utilizes a driving, uncomplicated beat and organ lines reminiscent of The Seeds and The Standells, evoking a raw, block-party atmosphere.

This retro foundation is modernized by a guitar tone that draws from the thicker, grimier textures associated with Mudhoney, alongside the abrasive energy of L7 and Bikini Kill. The resulting sound is described as garage rock with a “cracked halo,” merging melody with distortion.

Before its official release, the composition underwent extensive road-testing, becoming a staple in the band’s live performances. The single serves as a bridge to the darker second half of the forthcoming LP, due in March. It represents a band pushing the boundaries of their genre, moving toward a sound that is decidedly heavier and more euphoric.

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