In the cellar doing all the things that bad girls do
I’m a loser, I’m a sinner, I’m the weekend news
Down on my backside, on the streets at night.
If I die young at least I’ll still be pretty for you
Darkwave trio Corlyx doesn’t so much follow genre lines as they trample, twist, and redraw them. Their sound is a raw collision of decades, a fevered mix of post-punk’s icy sneer, grunge’s ragged bite, and the eerie allure of darkwave. They they siphon the spirit of their forebears, shake it loose, and mould it into something sharp-edged and modern. Their self-proclaimed “death pop” is defiant and decadent; a neon-lit dirge wrapped in silk and static. Corlyx redefines goth, making it sweat, scream, and shimmer in the dark.
Raw, reckless, and dripping with defiance, their latest release Psycho Sensual from Purple Pain (out now via Out Of Line Music) snarls with the same unfiltered energy as Garbage at their most ferocious and Concrete Blonde at their most brooding. Hell, there’s even saucy nods to the B-52s Salt N’ Pepa in the lyrics! It’s a high-heeled stomp through neon-lit streets, a sinner’s prayer whispered with a smirk. The lyrics revel in self-destruction, temptation, and the thrill of losing control; bad decisions worn like a badge of honour, beauty and danger wrapped in the same intoxicating package. The bass growls, the guitars slice, and the chorus pounds like a fist against a locked door. A hypnotic, sweat-soaked anthem of indulgence, recklessness, and never knowing when to stop.
“I write a lot about past trauma and healing through darkness, feeling every emotion and letting go,” says vocalist Caitlyn Stokes. “Sometimes through the chaos and worries of the modern world, my nihilistic tendencies are the only way for me to keep going. The night is my only comfort in this world of pain. I often harness the power of my feminine rage and goddess energy to craft stories that connect with people who have similar experiences, I believe connection is the highest purpose for our music.”
For the video, Stokes directs a rollicking fever-dream spectacle bathed in violet, where decadence meets delirium. The band drifts through the lavish decay of a grand parlour, silk and lace and stiletto fingernails brushing against the weight of old secrets. She slips into the night, prowling the streets with a knowing smirk, teasing the senses, turning desire into a game. It’s camp with a wicked wink, sultry with a playful sneer: half-séance, half-sideshow, all indulgence. Roses are nibbled, temptation lingers, and somewhere between the absurd and the alluring, a question blooms: are roses really that tasty?
Watch the video for “Psycho Sensual” below:
Corlyx originally from Los Angeles, now living between U.K. and Turin Italy. The trio consists of Caitlin Stokes, Brandon Ashley, and bassist Davide Rocco. Corlyx has shared global stages with Blutengel, Twin Tribes, Double Echo and countless more. Purple Pain, their third studio album, showcases the band at their most inventive and daring.
“Purple Pain—yes,a nod and a wink to Prince—is a culmination of years experimenting with the gothic genres we adore,” Stokes says. “It’s emotional, sensual, and creative, but it’s also a bit spooky, camp and fun. Goth can hold all those things at once.”
This sprawling new album reflects years of exploration, diving deep into gothic tributaries like synthpop, post-punk, and darkwave. “The majority of our rock influences come from the 70’s and we think it really shows on this record,” says Stokes. “It’s part of what creates our signature sound, in a world where there is no “new sound” we pushed forward with combining many moods and styles of goth,” going on to describe the behemoth collection as a ‘mega beast of singles and spooky dance hits.’
For guitarist Brandon Ashley, the creative process for Purple Pain was exhilarating: “When we started writing, the songs just kept coming,” he says. “One after another, we couldn’t stop. Caitlin suggested we push further and create a double album, and it came together effortlessly. We embraced more of my 70’s rock influences this time, adding a bluesy grit to our signature sound.” The vinyl edition, limited to 12 tracks, condenses the record into a unique masterpiece of gothic hits, while the double CD reveals the album’s true scope.
Featuring deeply personal tracks like Death Is The Beginning, a poignant reflection on Caitlin’s loss of her mother, the alt-rock Zombie Kid, and infectious dance floor anthems, the album unfolds like a movie, carrying listeners through its dramatic highs and introspective lows. With Zombie Kid, the band adds a rebellious streak of alt-rock to the mix, channeling both raw talent and their creative evolution. It’s a vivid prelude to an album promising an audacious leap into uncharted sounds.
Listen to Psycho Sensual below. You can also stream the track here and order Purple Pain here.
Corlyx have a busy 2025 tour calendar supporting Purple Pain, with scheduled festival appearances at M’era Luna, Dark Malta, WGT, Out Of Line Weekender and Glass Dance. Don’t miss them!
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