The Best Relaxing Music
Top Artist Selections for Relaxation, from Sigur Ros to Radiohead
Jan 27, 2009
After a hard day's work, there is nothing better than to soak up a nice beverage and some good music. There are hundreds of artists out there to pick from, so here is a little selection that should send even the most stressed individual to sleep.
Sigur Ros
An Icelandic group famous for their use of an invented language, Hopelandic, Sigur Ros are the epitome of chilled. Using guitars played with violin bows and a ridiculous amount of layered effects, Sigur Ros achieve some unimaginable soundscapes and ambiences.
With songs generally topping five minutes and more, with intros and finales spanning whole minutes, it is almost impossible to resist the call of the sandman when listening to them.
Mogwai
Similar to Sigur Ros but with more of a rock feel to them, Mogwai produce some epic sounds. The music reminds the listener of sunsets, summers gone by and a lump-in-the-throat nostalgia. Heartbreaking stuff, set aside from other bands by the slightest hint of the Beach Boys.
Aphex Twin
Hear this one out. Not generally known for relaxing music, in fact completely the opposite, Aphex Twin has an ace up his sleeve. By way of two volumes of ambient music, this artist has compiled nearly forty pieces of atmospheric, and sometimes disturbing soundtrack.
Some songs take you to far away places and far away planets, whereas other instil a sinister feel of loneliness and isolation. There are highs and lows, but a fantastic journey to be had nonetheless.
Amiina
A chirpy collection of songs reside under the belt of this female string group, each one very similar to the one before, but each with its own feel. The music really is subtle, but once the listener is tuned in, feelings of sorrow and tiredness melt away into an oblivion of cheeriness and satisfaction.
Pink Floyd
Each album is different to the last with Pink Floyd, so not every one counts in this line up. The particular pieces that spring to mind that would be considered relaxing are Shine On You Crazy Diamond and Echoes. Both ebb and flow gently, taking the listener with them, exploring delicate sounds and gentle melodies.
Radiohead
Again, not every track relaxes the listener, but a handful of them do exactly that. All across their back catalogue, Radiohead sees such classics as Karma Police, Bulletproof and Nude. The band’s talent sees that these songs are not only peaceful and enchanting, but also stick in the mind as being timeless. It may take the listener a few goes to appreciate the music, but they will be justly rewarded for doing so.
A Minor Reflection
A new band with a debut album, from Iceland and good friends with Sigur Ros, A Minor Reflection have introduced a tad more noise into the brand to give them a flavour of their own. Using reverb-heavy, distorted guitars and no vocals whatsoever, their music rises and falls and rises again, creating massive crescendos and awesomely spine chilling music.
This selection may be largely unknown to the average music appreciator, but it is well worth a try if relaxation and beautiful melody is the sound that is desired. Understandably it may not be to everybody’s tastes, but at least one band on the list will strike a chord in the soul of every music fan.
