Along with Love Spirals Downwards’ Idylls, Black Tape for a Blue Girl’s Ashes in the Brittle Air was my introduction to the world of Projekt Records. As I recall, I went in with some high expectations based on various forum and mailing list posts, not to mention the moody, 4AD-esque artwork — and I was not disappointed.

Sam Rosenthal’s delicate synth arrangements mix with oceanic sounds (e.g., lapping waves, whale songs) to create the soundscape for Sue-Kenny Smith’s clear voice and Rosenthal’s existential lyrics: “Our souls drift like ashes in the brittle air… Twirling like leaves, we float away/Drift away from things/the things you desire.”

Is it melodramatic? Pretentious? Over the top? Yes, yes, and yes. But there’s a reason why this song serves as the standard by which I measure every darkwave and ethereal goth song that I hear.