Vampire Boyfriend

writes songs about “blood, sex and satanic self-care rituals,” according to Janine van Osta, founder of this Dutch/Flemish band. Vampire Boyfriend packs together contrasting elements with infectious irreverence: the pink glitter notebook with boyband stickers and the Book of the Dead are both part of the inventory. These sweet and dark elements are condensed into self-assured, frayed indie songs of an unvarnished nature. “My thirteen-year-old, Green Day-listening goth-kid self is really happy with what I'm doing now. As is my six-year-old princess dress-wearing, ABBA-listening self." With Mitchell Quitz, Arno Geers and Sophie Reekers in the ranks, Vampire Boyfriend explores the fringes, lacing together fictional horror-kitsch storytelling and autobiographical beats with a coy sense of humor.