3 Musicians Who Incorporate Sci-Fi & Fantasy Into Their Music
A special intersection of media exists for those of us who are both fantasy nerds and music lovers. Some music artists break tradition with singing about real life to explore decidedly more epic concepts. Songs are, after all, just a medium for storytelling, and several acts take this even further by making a narrative the central aspect of their music career.
The group Starset has held my attention for many years as they are one of, if not the only, sci-fi rock bands. Behind their heavy baselines, soaring vocals, and electronic medleys is a complex story woven through the fabric of each song and album. Listening to their albums from start to finish is almost like listening to a musical audiobook. The storied lyrics and emotionally-driven songs leave just enough room for the listener’s imagination to supplement the adventure.
While I’m confident that Starset and their concept have inspired spinoff stories for many writers, they have plenty of content available for those who would rather dig into what is already there. Frontman Dustin Bates has published a book and collaborated with Marvel for a comic known as The Prox Transmissions, which tells the complete story of Starset’s concept.
Starset albums are an experience, as are their staggering live shows. I will never forget the Lifelines Tour of 2017 with Japanese band VAMPS–the visual-kei group’s mysterious aesthetics paired with Starset’s grungy, post-apocalyptic uniforms made me feel like I was living inside a story for a night.
Another artist who seems to embrace a literary genre through their music is renowned EDM singer Laura Brehm. With her clear voice and richly immersive songs, Brehm’s tracks have a unique ability to transport the listener and create crystalline imagery of other worlds.
Throughout both her solo work and collaborations, Brehm is intent on telling a story, touching on themes of exploration, healing, and evolution of the self. These themes are often a central part of modern fantasy narratives as well.
“Changed,” a collaboration between Brehm and CloudNone, is one of my favorite tracks. Composed of achingly romantic lyrics on a backdrop of calming, futuristic synth, it tells a story of seeing life with new eyes. Another of Brehm’s stand-out tracks t is “Monody,” a collaboration with TheFatRat, that starts with a call-to-action blow of a horn, and an upbeat yet determined succession of beats. The long musical intro builds powerful anticipation for Brehm’s vocals. She tells a story of emotional memories and bittersweet perseverance.
The atmospheric setting that Brehm’s voice creates is often reflected in the album artwork for her collaborative singles–images that evoke other worlds, science fiction concepts, and lush fantasy settings.
My third pick for an act that brings fantasy and storylines into their work is South Korea’s more-than-a-boy-band TOMORROW X TOGETHER. They are known (and awarded) for music videos that stand out as short films with gorgeous visuals and meaningful lyrics.
It’s not uncommon for KPOP bands to play out a concept that bridges multiple songs and albums (see Stray Kids, Dreamcatcher). However, TXT explores a higher level with the 19 minute 32 second MV film “Eternally,” along with a Webtoon and Wattpad series known as “The Star Seekers.”
TXT’s universe is complex, multi-layered, and heavily influenced by the modern fantasy genre. The fandom regularly debates storylines and symbolism, especially when the members drop a hint on V-live or a new music video teaser has just dropped.
Most importantly, TXT’s imaginative concepts and sentimental yet innovative storytelling speak to the desperate need today’s youth has for escapism, especially during the last few years of tumult. Watching their music videos, one can essentially gather a magical tale of five friends, facing foes and falling from grace (and the sky) in various ways. TXT balances this escapist theme with consistent reminders to their fanbase to take care of their health and follow their passions.
Music plays a central role in many people’s sense of creativity. Many writers share playlists dedicated to their current project, supplying them with imagery and settings with which to flesh out their own stories. Music is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to refill your creative well, whether that be through the messages in the lyrics or the instrumentals themselves. Music inspires us to chase our dreams.
And what makes this world go around if not dreams? Imagination continues to spur us forward, as individuals and as a society. Even after over 5,000 years of storytelling, humanity isn’t tired of writing and reading books. In the modern world, creators are constantly exploring the endless ways a story can be told. Telling stories through musical concepts is an engaging and refreshing way to explore other worlds, and enter a safe space where our imagination can flourish.