TAXI.com

Two listings just ended.
One looking for goth music
https://www.taxi.com/industry#listing-S250308GC
and another one that appeared to be from the same people looking for Shoegaze music,
https://www.taxi.com/industry#listing-S250304SH

Nothing got forwarded for the Shoegaze listing, but for the Goth listing this song got forwarded.
https://open.spotify.com/track/1T2dxQcT ... a9f2f1499f

Even is your aren't familiar with these styles, if you listen to the examples, clearly the song that got forwarded for the Goth listing is a Shoegaze song, not a Goth song, based on the examples. I have a personal beef with this because I submitted these to the Goth listing
https://s.disco.ac/qyhwhmwqyrjw
https://s.disco.ac/smoidwmfjfmv

Clearly those are Goth and way more in the ballpark of the examples for Goth, or are my ears just completely gone? I'll admit to being bent about having our stuff returned in favor of songs that weren't even the right genre. Also, the review said we got the mood right but got rejected because our hooks weren't memorable enough. Goth is not a style that's built around big hooks, it's 100% about creating a mood and an atmosphere, just listen to the examples. It's not hook filled music at all. One of the examples goes 3 full minutes before the vocal even comes in. This is like retuning a Country song cause it didn't have a shredding guitar solo, it's not really part of that style. Plus, our hooks are hooky as the example tracks.

I guess what I'd really love to know if anyone hears what I hear? Because this seems insanely off to me.

Those sound great!! I went back to my 20's listening to The Cure, Gary Newman, Depeche Mode..e.t.c.. I didn't or couldn't find the full listing so all I can say or comment is once again is they are really nice tracks.

Yeah, I do. Your tracks are goth through and through dark, atmospheric, aligned with the genre’s core. The forwarded song? Shoegaze, hands down too dreamy and diffuse for goth’s sharper edges. If the listing’s examples were classic goth, this feels like a screening fumble or a brief misfire. You’re not off-base; your ears aren’t gone. Goth isn’t hook-heavy by nature your “3 minutes before vocals” point is spot-on and your stuff fits that ethos better than the forwarded pick.