Character Playlist: Angel, Part 2
Character art by Mr. K.
I legitimately love making character playlists. It is, bar none, my favorite writing-adjacent activity, and as I’ve said before, it kind of changes the way I listen to music. I have what I like to call “slush piles” for all of my characters, which are playlists where I stick in every song that reminds me of a character even a little bit, unhampered by any of my usual playlist challenge rules.
The “official” character playlists are curated to obey those rules, and are typically taken from the cream of the crop from a character’s slush. But having spent two novels and counting with some of these characters, there are now a lot of songs in some characters’ slush piles, and more to the point, there’s still more to explore about these characters, especially considering the developments in their lives. So, with that in mind, I’m proud to kick off Round 2 of the Glintchasers character playlists, starting with the Avenging Sentinel herself, Monica Falone, aka Angel.
On the surface, Angel is an Aasimar Zealot Barbarian who would like you to all shut up and leave her alone. But that anger comes from somewhere, and as we get to see in They Split the Party, being left alone might not actually be what she wants, or needs.
“Champions” — Kurt Hugo Schneider, Andie Case
In direct contrast to how we started the last playlist, Monica was not born Angel. It was a lot of pain, perseverance, and righteous indignation, all taking her from a confused girl looking for purpose to the Sentinel she was always meant to be.
“Freedom (feat. Kendrick Lamar)” — Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar
Personal freedom has always been a core to Angel’s struggle as a character. She was born with a “destined hero” label already stamped on her soul, and everyone around her growing up knew it. Even if she wanted to be a hero, it would never feel like her choice with everyone around her saying she had to be one.
“Pray for Me (feat. Kendrick Lamar” — The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar
With great power, comes great outside pressure to step up whenever something dangerous comes knocking.
“Her Body is Bible — FLETCHER
Angel’s first love being a paladin somehow just makes this song even more appropriate. And we actually get to meet her in Split!
“Angel with a Shotgun” — The Cab
I could only resist putting this song on a playlist for so long.
“I am not a woman, I’m a god” — Halsey
There’s something uniquely isolating about being something more than human.
“I Think I’m OKAY (with YUNGBLUD & Travis Barker)” — Machine Gun Kelly, YUNGBLUD, Travis Barker
“At least this way, no one else gets hurt.”
“Riot” — Three Days Grace
So, Angel might have a bit of an anger problem. But thing about anger is that it can actually get shit done, especially when its anger at something that needs to change.
“Frontline” — Pillar
Angel’s life may be a war, but at the very least, she doesn’t have to fight it alone anymore.
“Reflections” — We Are The In Crowd
Destiny is overrated.
This round, it was “Surface Pressure” from Encanto that barely didn’t make the cut. I still think it’s themes fit Angel remarkably well, but the Disney vibes were bringing down the whole “KILL EVERYTHING WITH GUITARS” thing I had going with this playlist. Also cut was “DAYWALKER!” by MGK and CORPSE, which did fit, but I’m already twisting the “one song per artist” rule with two songs featuring Kendrick Lamar.
Hey, at least he’s only the featured artist.
Angel is one of the lead characters of Glintchasers, my debut fantasy series, whose second installment releases June 27, 2023.