Ludwig Göransson appreciation post

I realized that I have liked all of Ludwig Göransson's most recent work, but the works that really got my attention when I listened to them are: Black Panther 1 & 2, Oppenheimer, Sinners, Tenet, and The Odyssey. 

Ludwig, for me, is what I think art is all about. You explore, you experiment, you convey emotions. Your work always makes others question it, feel it. Sometimes it can be instantly loved and sometimes even hated, but some of Ludwig's work grows on me over time.  I did not love or even notice Tenet's soundtrack when I first watched the movie. My understanding and love for it came after I listened to the whole album in one session this summer. I found the musicality in this heavily electro-infused soundtrack. (My least favourite genre). I found a pattern, a conversation, and suddenly I realized that I loved the soundtrack. Oppenheimer's whole album took hold of me after I read an interview where he explained that, per Nolan's request, the soundtrack was to be "felt" rather than listened to. It took me two listening sessions to finally get it. The leitmotif and the conversation happening in the soundtrack. How "Oppenheimer - Can you hear the music- Destroyer of worlds" was a conversation, and the story it was telling. 

Black Panther(1 & 2) and Sinners probably made me fall in love with his creative mind. The research he put into it, the desire for authenticity, connection, transcendence, and community you can feel while listening to the soundtrack. The Odyssey simply confirmed what I thought of Ludwig and cemented him in my heart as one of my favourite composers. He genuinely gives his all in his work, and he never takes it for granted. I think, and I say this as a very big Hans Zimmer fan, that if Ludwig keeps himself on track, he would not reach the "I sometimes parody myself and I have stopped pushing myself further" attitude Zimmer had until Dune popped up. 

Is Ludwig Göransson everyone's cup of tea? Non. And he doesn't have to be, which is the beauty of art. I can only wish he keeps exploring, and perhaps, as a former pianist myself, I hope he would favor this instrument a little more in his next projects :p 

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COPG Appreciation post: The Emperor and his Empress

 Elpis and Pride: Appreciation post: 

*Elpis and Pride: The OG! Our OG! The Emperor and His Empress!!  Writing with them has always been something I couldn’t really describe. They were our first big storyline and just like you did, I would only focus on the goddess herself. (Big love to her vessel Asma!). Elpis and Pride have set me free, and they were the ones with whom we explored our roleplay.  We’ve written everything with them, drama, action, angst, sexy… we’ve written everything and pushed each other to become better writers.  I love this story. The elegance of it, the darkness about it, the Light too. We’re talking about literal deities who can conquer and shape the world at their image. They always inspire me, and I have a very special bond with Pride. Nobody can understand Elpis like Pride does. He saw her true potential, her true nature long before she ever did. He is the only one who understood her, and he went to rescue her as soon as he remembered her existence. 

Pride is the only and true family she ever had. She realized that her so-called family was nothing but shackles to her wrists. They were scared of her, possessive of her, and only saw her as a trophy to own. (Ahem... Leviathan) but Pride saw her for who she was. He inspires her, he motivates her, he challenges her! She loves being in his presence because he always pushes her to become stronger, more daring, and I would dare say: Free. He is a free spirit, a force of nature that can’t be contained and she understands that nature about him. She fell in love -and that was not a puppy love like the first time- with Pride and He is the only one fit to be her Emperor, her Beloved. Pride has been her first and will be her only lover. She doesn’t want anything else. She doesn’t need anyone else but him. He is her future. He is her whole life, and he is the only one who can embrace her for exactly who she is.  With her kind heart, with her bloodlust, with her stubborn and playful nature. She loves it when he wants to protect her and she loves it even more when they get to be in synch together (ahem.. those blood orgies they sometimes partake in)

I love Pride so much, because of his determination, his ambition and his irresistible charisma.  He is /so/ charismatic that If He were real and an actor, I would have been a super fan :p He is intense, he is scary at times, he commands respect. He is handsome (and fuck, nothing can make me think otherwise) and he is perfect!  Elpis appreciates being the one he can anchor himself to. She enjoys being the voice of reason and of balance. His darkness feeds her Light and he also has some Light in him. I can see them as a complimentary couple. I can see them as a royal couple whose destiny is to rule over the fucking universe. He’s playful, he’s charming, he’s sooooo complex and always keeps us (Elpis and I) on our toes because we never know when he’ll snap or when he’ll be happy and at peace. Elpis worships him, because she knows him. It’s not just because  he’s physically perfect. It’s not just because his eyes turn purple when he’s feeling intense emotions (oh she loves that!). It’s not just because of their very sexy power play. (and they are sexy, believe me! I had to pause at times when reading them because they are very hot). It’s because he cares for her and he shows it. He’s a man who keeps his promises. He has a vision, a goal, and this version of him, is far superior to the older version of Pride. I love how they’re evolving and how they keep showing us their true colours. Elpis has this possessive streak. She loves to have people drool or even worship her emperor, but she’s the one who can have a taste, who can give him the most important praises, who can sit by his sides as his empress. And nobody, trust me, NOBODY, can hurt the Emperor. She would smite them, if they ever tried to do so.