Taking a massive detour from the previous book playlist, this week’s read is the complete opposite of fantasy–and is just as dark. While I took a miniature palette cleanser between these two weeks with a lighthearted romance, I decided to take on something dark in nature for Week 6. Entitled “Cults, World Religions, and the Occult” by Kenneth Boa, this book is a non-fiction piece that dives head first into major religions as they trickle down into smaller sub-categories. Informational and only slightly unsettling, curating a playlist was a difficult task. Here is what I listened to:
- Too Late – M83
With a mellow rhythm and hushed lyrics, this song was ideal for reading along to. I needed to reread or refer back to a few sections within the book. However, this song worked hand in hand with my ability to absorb the information in the book. Not to mention the dreamy atmosphere it contributes to, especially when reading about the major world religions.
- Punisher – Phoebe Bridgers
Once again, slow and steady will get you through a book. It’s hard to avoid getting distracted or lost in words when attempting to conquer such a large topic. Phoebe Bridgers’ calming vocals and commentary on one’s place in the world made for a sweet track to escape the world for a while. As intimidating as educating oneself on such a controversial topic can be, a calming tempo can make all the difference.
- Panic – The Smiths
A perfect track to pick up the pace, Panic by The Smiths has a rhythmic flow to help lighten the mood without removing you completely from the context of the piece. I was drawn to this piece as I was being mentally shoehorned into the subsects of the major religions. Migration from the East to the West in regard to faith is a minefield of losing track of all you learned, but the energy of this song caught the reins of my attention.
- Animal Instinct – The Cranberries
Soothing yet packing a punch, The Cranberries were my lifeline throughout the book. The drawl of the lead singer’s vocals in combination with the application to the lyrics to the novel’s subject matter is what transformed this song into the backbone of my playlist. The lyrics refer to faith, prayer, and a need for codependency as being “instinct”, what more could I ask for from a soundtrack?
- night swimming – Soccer Mommy
If you haven’t noticed a pattern yet, here I am hitting you over the head with it. Slow tunes were the way to go and Soccer Mommy conquered the final stretch of the book with this track. The lyrics have several references to the physical body, words that quickly became a source of grounding for me as I wrapped up the book. With another read and an existential crisis under my belt, I needed to get back in touch with reality.
