Tunes to Inspire Words: Ruelle

​In order to combat writer’s block, I often submerse myself in the inspiration of music. Whether I’m lying on a couch, riding in the car, or walking outside, music helps me click with a story element in my mind. There’s a reason TV shows and movies utilize music to tell their stories—the music nurtures the emotion of each scene.
 
For this post, I’d like to highlight a current favorite singer of mine: Ruelle.
 
If you don’t know the name, there’s a chance you’ve heard her music. Several of Ruelle’s songs play in popular TV shows. I originally looked up her music after hearing her song “War of Hearts” in Freeform’s Shadowhunters (a TV show inspired by Cassandra Clare’s The Mortal Instruments). However, after reading through Ruelle's songs, I realized I previously heard and enjoyed her song “Until We Go Down” in the opening credits for MTV’s The Shannara Chronicles. Since then, her song “Game of Survival” played in advertisements for Netflix’s Thirteen Reasons Why, and Freeform continues to use several of her songs, including “Madness” and “Other Side”.
 
It’s no surprise that Ruelle’s music appeals to these shows. Although she has a variety of styles in her repertoire, many of her songs submerse the listener in dark, intense emotion. Her songs are mysterious, intriguing, and sensitive. Each song I listen to strikes me with both its sound and its lyrics. It’s easy to visualize a struggling protagonist, which makes Ruelle’s music great for sparking inspiration.
 
I highly recommend taking time to listen to Ruelle’s entire collection of music, but I will recommend a few of my favorites to start.
 
Both the original and acoustic versions of “War of Hearts” ring with emotion. I listened to this song on repeat when I first heard it. It has an element of forbidden romance to it, so if your story involves that timeless trope, this song could be exactly what you need to get into the mood.
 
“Game of Survival” is another personal favorite. The ominous opening quickly builds into an intense chorus focusing on the juxtaposition of hunter and prey. If you enjoy the intensity of this song, you might also enjoy “Madness” and “Bad Dream”.
 
If you’re looking for more upbeat songs with a hint of sass, “Gotta Love It” and “Oh My My” could be perfect. If you’d prefer a slower, haunting vibe, I recommend “Rival” or “Find You”.
 
Due to Ruelle’s plethora of engaging songs, it’s difficult to choose my recommendations. But I will leave it to you to further explore her music. Chances are if you like one or two of her songs, you will like many others.
 
Ruelle’s music is available on Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify.
 
What are your thoughts? Are you a fan of Ruelle’s music? If so, do you have recommendations for similar artists? If you’re a writer, which songs or artists inspire you?