The White Lotus has become more than just an HBO TV show — it’s a cultural stamp. Somewhat like Stranger Things, but not as spooky or nostalgic. There’s no gore (besides a bit of blood splatter), though you could certainly argue it’s dark — just in a whole different way. At the core of this show, by contrast, is a sonic shift waiting to emerge from the sun-speckled scenery and satirical tension. A boom of new playlist fodder amid its frippery — you know, the cocktails and kaftans.

But what is ‘The White Lotus effect’ on music? Let’s start with the soundtrack, shall we? In essence, it’s an unorthodox score by Chilean-Canadian composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer. It’s frenetic, chilling, chaotic, tribal, haunting, primal… kind of all-round freaky. It takes a beat to get used to but nuggets and snippets of the quirky soundbites are reimagined and laced into episodes left, right and centre. Mystifying, soul-searching, ritualistic elements are all part of the fabric. That’s cinema for you!

The main theme — although most notably the one created for season two — has actually found its way to being remixed for the dancefloor, as clubs are now benefitting from its allure. Slightly niche airtime, you could say. And after season three, I feel it’s likely to bring with it a rise in people tuning into artists such as Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails), Atticus Ross and Nicolas Jaar more and more — if it hasn’t already sparked that resurgence. 

But for me specifically, it’s reignited a hunger to explore avant-garde and unconventional bops. I find myself wanting to revisit albums like Metronomy’s ‘The English Riviera’ and everyone’s 2009 fave-come-triumph, ‘Merriweather Post Pavilion’ by Animal Collective. Kooky loops, ethereal yet off-kilter melodies, and swirling psychedelics? Oh, but of course — it could be the summer of its release all over again. Doesn’t it just scream Maui, Sicily and Koh Samui? 

I’m also not wanting to stop with the regressive listening — it’s fast becoming a need of mine to devour what’s similar yet new out there. That’s where the hypnotic, sample-rich sounds of Mong Tong, a Taiwanese duo that nails the futuristic and funky, come in. Any other suggestions? I’m all ears!

The White Lotus may have wrapped now, and it might play on your desire to practise yoga poses or plunge into a pool, but it’s having a profound influence on my listening habits. Headphones at the ready…