Tracks that paint unsettling scenes of consequence, like car crashes, that you can’t look away from.
Read my track-by-track breakdown and learn about this playlist’s “artist-to-watch,” Dua Saleh, below.
Track-by-Track Breakdown
1. Dua Saleh – “angel rock”
The arrangement of this one reminds me of the captivating melancholia in Simon and Garfunkel’s music. Modern production elements, such as the baby voice effects, add a fresh feel to that timeless somber and mysterious expression.
As a music supervisor, I could pitch a song like this in response to a project seeking Simon & Garfunkel alternatives that are cheaper to clear.
2. Twin Shadow – “Crushed”
Though the piano parts are slightly muted, “Crushed” would not achieve its unsettling sound without them. I also enjoy the simplicity and pacing of this track. It would soundtrack nicely to multiple cuts and scene transitions.
3. POLIÇA – “Driving”
This song is definitely the creepiest on the playlist. The mystifying synths that loom around create “Driving”‘s core disturbing sound. This song could paint a character’s final realization of the consequences ahead.
4. Glass Animals – “Heart-Shaped Box”
Glass Animals are a versatile act, but their ominous compositions are the true standouts. This cover is a testament to Dave Bayley’s poignant vocal expression.
In sync licensing and music supervision, covers are often easier and cheaper to clear and/or produce for the project. In cases where a project really wants to use a popular song, I could recruit a vocalist to cover it. The result could be a song like this that retains the composition but puts a unique spin on the recording.
5. Caroline Rose – “I Took A Ride”
The production of “I Took A Ride” reminded me a lot of the last track. Lyrically, the song alludes to someone tracking down their lover by train, bus, and plane. When they find their lover it could be a painful sight to see.
“I took a ride / On a Greyhound bus / To find out where / My love had been”
6. Tamino – “Indigo Night”
If I could sum up this song in a phrase, it would be “quiet contemplation.” My favorite element of “Indigo Night” is the haunting electric guitar riff.
7. Sufjan Stevens, Lowell Brams – “The Runaround”
As I’ve been curating these playlists, I realized I’ve been overlooking mainly instrumental tracks. Sometimes instrumental melodies can convey feelings better than any specific lyric–– “The Runaround” is a great example. It culminates the main sounds of this playlist but feels grander than all of the rest.
Artist-To-Watch
Dua Saleh is also a Sudanese-American recording artist, songwriter, poet, and actor. You may know them from their portrayal of Cal in the Netflix series Sex Education.
At just four years old, Dua starting writing poetry. They transitioned to music by bring those words to life with melodies.
Listen to their 2020 EP Rosetta:
