Be wary of people who say they don’t like to dance. If someone can’t find beauty, release, or some whisper of the spiritual within rhythm and movement, I take it as a red flag. I don’t think I’m being frivolous, either. It’s a matter of health and healing, of building connections—both cognitive and emotional—with the world. As early as humans could speak, we would also dance to self-express, to process trauma, and, eventually, to establish deep cultural attachments.

On their new single “Dead Girl Dacing,” Athens goth trio Tears for the Dying embrace dance as therapy and kinetic catharsis. Opening in a gentle wave of billowing synths, the song soon veers into an icy thump propelled by throbbing keys and brittle drums. Things warm up considerably for the chorus, however, which features one of the band’s more energetic and infectious turns. Meanwhile, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Adria Stembridge offers the listener an emotional plea: “See me, hear me, take my hand / Let’s dance in the fog.” It might be tempting to attribute the lyrics to standard-fare gothic posturing. But here the fog isn’t meant to invoke the nebulous haze of dark dance floors. Rather, it’s the dread and gloom of despair.

“This track is all about using dance to deal with anxiety and depression,” the group shared on their Bandcamp page. “Even taking a solo stroll or going for a walk with a friend in a nearby cemetery or nature trail can do wonders to boost our mood and outlook.”

It’s a simple lesson, which only makes it easier to dismiss. But with “Dead Girl Dancing,” Tears for the Dying tap into something primal and universal: Dance can be curative. It can be a shield against darkness and suffering. With it comes the promise of transfiguration and renewal. So get moving and never stop. Or, to put a slight inversion on the title—dance until you’re dead.

Listen below.

“Dead Girl Dancing” will be available on streaming service on Feb. 2.

More Info
Web: tearsforthedying.com
Bandcamp: tearsforthedying.bandcamp.com
Facebook: @TearsForTheDying
Instagram: @tearsforthedyingband