From soothing drones and chimes to the sound of rain gently tapping on the roof – ambient music is transforming the way people sleep, focus and relax.
Once an esoteric 1970s genre, mood music playlists have become a daily habit for millions.
An official playlist on Spotify called Deep Focus has 4.8 million likes and another called Ambient Relaxation has 1.2 million.Similar lists attract millions of listeners on Apple Music and YouTube.
The BBC has also embraced the trend for musical sleep and focus mixes, with playlists such as Ambient focus proving popular on BBC Sounds.
So,what’s behind the huge popularity of ambient music today and why are so many of us turning to sound to help with everyday life?
“It’s an addiction,” said Huw Roberts,a web developer from Chepstow,Monmouthshire,who has had a “parallel life” running ambient music label,Serein,for the past 20 years.
“I’m as bad as anyone but, yeah, I’m not sure how healthy it is.”
Huw thinks the recent growth of ambient music on streaming platforms is a symptom of one of the defining features of our time: Constant notifications and scrolling on our smartphones.
“I’m sick of the news and want to get away from that, but I’m not going to put the phone down,” he muses.
“I’ll use my phone to try and get away from it.”
Despite scepticism about ambient playlists driven by corporations and algorithms, Huw admits the music is hugely crucial as an “escape from the real world”.He was drawn to the mellow side of music from a young age.
After starting piano lessons age seven, when many young children are tempted to bash the keys as loudly as possible, huw would “sit there and play really softly with the sustain pedal”.
The Rise of Ambient Soundscapes for Work and Wellbeing
In a co-working space in Cardiff, employees from communications agency Equinox gather in-person every Wednesday to catch up. All of them use ambient music in different capacities.
Associate director Sophie Harris uses a specific type to help her focus on writing. “I like to go into Middle-earth when I’m working,” she said,referring to YouTube channels that provide soundscapes inspired by the JRR Tolkien classic fantasy novel and film. “You can choose different realms… so you might go into Gondor for the afternoon.”
The 35-year-old is far from alone – a YouTube video called Middle-earth – Rivendell Music & ambience has more than 22 million views. “I’ve done it for years and years now – I think people find it less strange when I mention it these days.”
## Why are more people listening to ‘ambient noise’ at work?
Helen Wild, the managing director of the agency, is “really happy” for her team using ambient music while working.
Even though, she admits, when she first started working at the agency “you would never, ever have had your headphones on in the office,” as the team would be “answering the phones nonstop.”
She now sees ambient music as a tool for to get into a creative headspace and “work in a more efficient way”.
James Kilner, a professor of neuroscience at University Collage London, believes ambient music can afford people a “period of calm and reflec
Ambient Music’s Rise: How Calm Sounds are Helping with anxiety and Connecting People Worldwide
Ambient music is experiencing a surge in popularity, with artists and listeners alike reporting its therapeutic benefits and a growing sense of community around the genre. From established musicians shifting their focus to emerging artists sharing unfinished work, the demand for calming and immersive soundscapes is on the rise.
From Dance Charts to Sonic Sanctuaries
the growing interest in ambient music is partly fueled by musicians like Richard Norris, who initially found success in the 1990s with electronic dance group The Grid, known for tracks like “Swamp Thing” and “Floatation.” https://www.discogs.com/artist/6848-The-Grid Norris’s journey reflects a broader trend. Five years ago, disturbed by escalating violence near his London home, he began creating extended ambient pieces as a means of establishing a “safe sonic space” within his studio.
“It felt quite unsafe for a while,” Norris explained, noting that he now receives more meaningful feedback from fans of his ambient work than from any other music he’s created.Listeners have shared that his music provides relief from conditions like depression and anxiety.
A “Natural Need” for calm
This experience resonates with observations made by Professor Kilner, whose professional interest in ambient music stems from his friendship with Norris. The shift towards ambient music suggests a essential human need for tranquility and connection.
Copenhagen-based musician Sofie Birch exemplifies this trend. Her ambient radio show has evolved from featuring established artists to showcasing submissions from around the globe – including unreleased and unfinished pieces. Birch believes this demonstrates a “natural need” for people to “connecting with something more calm,” and she has stopped playing traditional records altogether, opting rather to share the unique and experimental sounds sent to her by other artists.
The increasing popularity of ambient music highlights a desire for sonic experiences that prioritize emotional well-being and foster a sense of community. It suggests a growing recognition of the power of sound to influence mood, reduce stress, and provide a sanctuary in an increasingly chaotic world.