My top 5 ambient albums to induce calm and tranquility
Everything I make at Serenity & Solace aims to bring tranquility and serenity into the lives of others through ambient artworks and wearable art.
I often listen to ambient albums while I’m working on designs or doing yoga. This calming music helps stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest mode) which must be activated in order for creativity to take seed.
I have spent many years exploring ambient albums, and I must admit, my taste does generally veer towards lush electronic soundscapes. Here are my top 5 albums to chill out to:
5 - Jon Hopkins - Singularity
This album was a tough call as I was also tempted to have ‘Stars of the Lid - And Their Refinement of the Decline’ at number 5. This album probably gets more plays from me though! Hopkins intended this album to be heard in one go, which is what makes it such a fantastic ambient record - you can just put it on and get lost in the calming sounds. The record is so hypnotic, particularly ‘Luminous Beings’, which lasts 12 minutes, and takes the listener on the most organic journey of relaxation. This is an absolute go to for me.
4 - The Orb - Adventures beyond the ultraworld
This record really stands out to me as a moment in time in electronic music. ‘Little fluffy clouds’ naturally is the standout track, and the fact that such a wildcard track reached #87 in the 90s single chart is really testiment to how groundbreaking it was. The ambient track I love is an 18 minute psychedelic odyssey - ‘A Huge Ever Growing Pulsating Brain that Rules From The Centre Of The Ultraworld’, with it’s snippets of field recordings interwoven with synth noodling.
This album is kind of cheesy in a 90s chill out kind of way. It actually came out in 2002, and it’s so dated that it’s come full circle. I weirdly find the record really comforting, and reminds me of those chill out cds you’d find for sale in crystal shops. Ishq are underrated and insanely productive (in 2019 they put out 15 releases - that’s more than one a month). Get your healing crystals and incense sticks out to this one.
2 - Carbon Based Life Forms - World of sleepers
I have actually made some of my longest painting sessions with this album on loop. It takes me to a magical otherworldly place. I feel like I can make anything happen when this album is on in the background. It’s just amazing for putting your brain into flow state… time goes so fast!
1 - Phaeleh - Illusion of the tale
Ah, this album. Phaeleh’s music is fully responsible for so many of my creations, through his more beat driven work, but especially his more tranquil albums full or gorgeous layered synths and field recordings. This is an ambient album that does something else - it makes you feel. And when you feel that difficult stuff, you heal. You can’t go wrong with any of his stunning records, but I’d recommend Illusion of the tale, closely followed by Somnus for ultimate relaxation.
What are your favorite ambient albums and why? I’m always on the look out for new sounds to bliss out to, so please do share them with me :)