SOUNDTRACK to Your Arms Around Entropy
I recently came across a post by Glenn Rolfe where he detailed a playlist for his new book The Window. As an author who is also very inspired by music when I write, I thought that was a pretty damn cool idea – so I stole it. Please go check out Glenn’s post to see his take on the playlist… here.
Your Arms Around Entropy is a collection of twelve stories, eight previous published and four new ones. They all have a contemporary Cosmic Horror theme, three of which are distinctly Lovecraftian. I’ve been leaning this direction the last few years, finally coming into my own voice after years of writing.
Music is a major part of my writing along with cigarettes and coffee. In my acknowledgements I mentioned four bands I recalled writing to often when coming up with these tales. There were more. The music I wrote most of these songs to were slow and dark, often on the electronica/pop end of the spectrum. That isn’t to say I don’t listen to a wide variety of music, but that’s what these tales called for.
Not only have I organized an actual playlist that can be enjoyed in order, but I’ve done so according to the order of the Table of Contents found within Your Arms around Entropy. I’ve explained everything below.
#1. “Miracle” by ChVrches: DELICATE SPACES
Both your opening track and your opening story need to be strong. “Delicate Spaces” appeared in Dark Visions, Vol.1 and remains one of my favorite tales. I’ve always enjoyed ChVrches, but this new song by them captures the epic mysteries found within.
#2. “Drive It Like You Stole It” by The Glitch Mob: A BETTER VIEW
The Glitch Mob is one of my favorite bands, and their music fits a lot of stuff I write. Here, their unique post-tronic sound easily moves my Lovecraftian tale along.
#3. “Given The Chance” by The Kite String Tangle: COUNTING PAST THE PERIPHERY
Ethereal vocals over the dark beats gives this sad song exactly the mood to fit my story of teen angst and ancient evil. I wish this guy would put out more music.
#4. “Breaker” by Cryptex: WET HEAVENS
Industrial electronica prepares us for the world-shattering horrors within this cosmic vampire story written for the Bloodtype anthology. A very underappreciated artist.
#5. “Crash Tactics” by 65DaysOfStatic: BLEAK MATHEMATICS
Probably my favorite short story, a tale about a band obsessed with H.P. Lovecraft, 65DOS makes the type of music I associated with Bleak Mathematics. If you ever wanted to know what they sounded like in my head, give a listen, and imagine a lead singer.
#6. “Nevergreen (Blockhead remix)” by Emancipator: ABOVE THE PAY GRADE
Emancipator make the type of slow, depressing electronica I’d expect to hear in the afterlife, so it fit for this story. This afterlife is not what anyone else would expect.
#7. “Rockstar” by Post Malone: MERCHANDISE
Slow, dark, and moody, this hiphop song by Post Malone perfectly captures the essence of my tale here. I can easily picture my young hooligans listening to it.
#8. “Castle” by Halsey: SILENT FOR THE SAKE OF SILENCE
With wonderfully gloomy undertones, this pop song is just right for my young main character as she watches the world consumed by mimes. That’s right… mimes.
#9. “Summertime Sadness” by Lana Del Rey: THOSE BEFORE THE SLUMBER
Lana Del Rey is one of my favorite artists, and I’ve written an entire novel to her music. Her work is perfect for this romance tale turned Lovecraftian nightmare.
#10. “The Hills” by The Weeknd: THE ARTIFICIAL QUIET
A fantastic and unsettling R&B song, the vibe is exactly what’s needed for this abandoned farmhouse story gone weird. You just know things are going to get worse.
#11. “Emperor’s New Clothes” by Panic! At The Disco: HARDER YOU FALL
I’ve seen over 100 live show, and really wasn’t a fan of P!atD until I saw them a few years back. Amazing. In any case, this song sums up a greedy Necromancer quite well.
#12. “Legions (War)” by Zoe Keating: YOUR ARMS AROUND ENTROPY
My title story is about suffering and loneliness, back dropped by giant monsters. Only the dark, epic cello work of Zoe Keating could possibly bring it to life.
YOUR ARMS AROUND ENTROPY is still available on Kindle of ONLY $0.99 and FREE on KindleUnlimited.
