Track By Tracks: Pawn Pawn - Halloween (2025)

1. Trick or Treat:

Liz: Rage and vengeance are emotions that a lot of us have historically been discouraged from expressing. But just because someone is kind and empathetic doesn't mean they aren't capable of white-hot, dangerous fury. “Trick Or Treat” plays around with the idea of revenge, starting out with quiet, melodic threats that build into anthemic choruses. It’s also a tribute to Halloween, a holiday that celebrates extremes.

David: This song, to me, has the vibe of an 80's new wave, English synthpop 7-inch. When we were coming up with the music for the track, I felt we were touching on Depeche Mode, New Order, and even Human League. It's a very synth-heavy track, with driving four-on-the-floor drums and a creepy feel.

2. I Can Only Tell You With My Eyes:

Liz: Lyrically, this song is an alternative take on the trope of the hyper-assertive club goddess -- the one who owns the dance floor and always gets what she wants. I wanted to explore that from the perspective of someone quieter, someone who might not always get what they want. They may have less confidence, but their passion is even more intense because they're stuck in the agony of their own imagination, without an outlet.

David: During the writing part of this song, the main goal was to capture the lush, over-layered early 90's industrial feel while maintaining the catchy, melodic vibes we often go for. To me it feels like being at a goth night in a dark basement venue.

3. Jealousy Looks Good on Me:

Liz: This track is a nostalgic assault of 90s industrial-pop, and I knew the lyrics needed to tie into a theme that would be as intense as the sound. So it’s not just about jealousy -- it’s about the kind of jealous competitiveness that comes with constant comparison, the paranoia of potential threats, and the inexorable struggle to be what you think other people want you to be. It’s about being stuck in a cycle of continuous improvement that's so vicious, it's slowly destroying you.

David: As far as new Pawn Pawn tracks go, this one is an experiment. The song is noisy and uncomfortable. I love the fact that it sounds like it could fall apart at any second. The goal, sonically, was to make something that elicits a sense of doom and melancholy. Liz's lyrics perfectly fit the uneasy vibe of the song. We definitely touched on moments of Throbbing Gristle, Skinny Puppy etc., while staying slightly more melodic and ethereal.