Bonus Episode 1: (Behind the Scenes) - Playlist

Introduction:

Hopefully, if you’ve made it this far, you’re invested in Jess’s adventures and misadventures.

The story continues in her words with Superhero Saga Season 2: Boardrooms, Bounties, and Bad Guys.

That’s in a separate Vella but will be combined with Season 3: Heroes, Hostilities, and Hard Times.

So, if this is only Season 1 and it’s over, what the heck is this?

This is where I get to tell you all those fun facts like what’s up with the series.

First up: The Playlist.

This playlist has been in the works for a long time. I’d initially intended it only for Trials, Tribulations, and Trust Issues, but it seems more appropriate to expand it as the story grows.

Specs: 23 songs, 1 hr and 7 min

Disclaimer: This is 100% a fangirl sort of playlist. I don’t own any rights to the music. I’ve merely compiled songs that evoke some emotion about Jess, one of her family members, or the situation as a whole.

What’s on the playlist?

Note: I don’t think I’m done yet. I’m still messing with order and have recently doubled the number of songs. This is good because Spotify will now start suggesting some stuff.

Here’s where it stands as of today: (The songs and the explanations.)

• Assemble Legends by Brand X Music – I first heard this song while driving home. It happened to be perfect timing because a helicopter was flying across the highway. Something about the lighting and scene struck me as epic.

• Below Zero by Simon Chylinski, Thomas Loupe, First Sun – It’s got a nice beat. It’s very upbeat. Great movement.

• Critical Strike by Brand X Music – Short. Still upbeat. Sounds like things are getting intense.

• Ocean Champions by Derek Fiechter, Brandon Fiechter – The cover has a merman on it. There’s nobility and majesty in the chords. Anyway, this reminds me of Jess’s dad, Winston. He has Underwater Breath.

• Artifact by Titan Slayer – Similar in feel to a lot of the Brand X Music themes. Action. Danger. Stuff about to go all sorts of wrong.

• Suit Up by Brand X Music – I promise I did not include every single one of their songs. They have a lot of discordant notes in the few I did pick. Around minute one, the beat changes. It becomes faster and more urgent. There are a few epic notes in the background. The song is a good mini demonstration of Jess’s journey. She’s not very excited about her job because of the idiotic way the government asked for her help. But she grows into the role in the later stories.

• Theorem by Kevin Graham – Light and smooth. Gentle. Beautiful. Even in the midst of chaos there are down times. This is also great montage music for some of the more cerebral power reviews.

• Born to Be a Leader by Amadeus Indetzki – Back to intense and epic. For some reason, my brain wants to think of this song as danger and expectations. Some chords in it remind me of a different song. Can’t quite put my finger on the pulse of that, so it’s likely just going to drive me nuts.

• Air Of Suspicions by Olexandr Ignatov – Light and dark. Softer than some of the others. More an embodiment of underlying danger. Around minute one there’s a slight shift to more intense.

• Flight by David A. Molina – Once again, I think we’re in montage music territory.

• Forgotten Dynasty by Ioannis Gutevas, Epic World Music – For some reason, I’ve been obsessed with this song for most of the year thus far. I think I stumbled across it on things recommended to me in December 2022. It was one of the first songs on the list. It’s fast, fun, intense. I think it speaks more of determination than anything else. That’s a trait Jess has in spades.

Note: Many of my playlists follow this pattern. I like to listen while working but can’t do lyrics in most cases where work is involved. So, the list will start with several instrumental songs, switch to lyrics, then end with some instrumental songs.

• Nothing Is As It Seems by Hidden Citizens, Ruelle – Love Ruelle’s voice. Been a fan for as long as I’ve had Spotify (probably going on 5 years at this point). Starts soft. The title is good for Jess’s situation. There’s one point where she’s complaining that nobody keeps their face. She comes by her trust issues honestly.

• It’s a Long Way Down by Katie Garfield – Her voice is similar to Ruelle. I think it’s more about voice quality than lyrics and song meaning.

• Heroes Never Die by UNSECRET, Krigare – Ha, I guess I have a type with voice. Similar to previous two. At the heart, this one’s about not giving up.

• Who Are You by SVRCINA – I was obsessed with this one a few years ago. It’s still a great song. I also included this one on the Devya’s Children playlist. That series has to do with genetic engineering giving kids special powers. Jess is lab soup special. She’s kind of disappointed by that, but I can imagine her life leading to an identity crisis.

• Into the Wild by Shylah Ray Sunshine – Had to check the lyrics to get what she was saying. This one brings Flight to mind for me.

• Fireflies by Binky – Light. Fun. Don’t think I get the lyrics, but maybe if I listen a few hundred more times, it’ll start to make sense.

• RISE (from “League of Legends”) by AmaLee, Erica Lindbeck – Kind of a song about standing up and fighting. I imagine it being good end credit type music.

• Be The Legend by TIA Ray, Rtruenahmean, League of Legends – Lighter but kind of a continuation of the previous song. Superheroes were in hiding before now. No longer.

Switch back to no lyrics:

• Let There be Light by Phil Rey – Light yet still epic. Some reflective sections.

• Mystique by Sybrid – Another relatively quiet score at least through the first minute and a half. It’s got underlying hints of danger and tension. Around 1:45, it picks up in intensity. More drums. Reminds me of a video game or testing out energy-based powers.

• Gurenge (From “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba”) by AVIAND – Starts light but swift. Around 1:11 turns sweeping.

• Virtuous Victory by Brand X Music – Yup, back to these guys. This one starts insanely soft and reflective for them. It starts to pick up at 30 seconds. Turns epic over the course of the next 15 seconds. Around 1 minute, it picks up more of a sweeping, encouraging sort of flow. Ends nicely.

Rating and conclusion: 4.25 of 5 stars

I’ve made a lot of lists. This one seems to connect well with the series.

Hope you’ll take the time to check out the playlist. If you’ve heard any of the songs, let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Author’s note:

Do you like playlists for books and movies?

Welcome to the bonus zone. In this section, I’ll include behind the scenes stuff and some extra adventures that didn't fit the regular narrative.

It won’t be on a schedule, but I’ll aim for once a week.

Playlist link: https://tinyurl.com/ynuhy8pe