Forty years after the release of their album Victorialand, we present a ranking of the Scottish band’s 20 finest tracks, charting their evolution from gothic beginnings to weightless masterpieces.
Initially, Cocteau Twins gave every indication of being a gothic band. Their early work, like the song “Wax and Wane,” features a Banshees-esque ambience, with guitar reminiscent of John McGeoch, flanged bass, and a drum machine. However, even then, the chorus soared out of the metaphorical cloud of dry ice, and Elizabeth Fraser’s distinctive voice was already surpassing her influences.