Deep Focus playlist on Spotify
something without lyrics
Yep has to have no lyrics or I get pulled into the song!
Beats to study/relax to
None. I’ve tried everything from Mozart to Metallica, and any kind of music playing while I’m trying to concentrate is more of a distraction than a help.
I’m happy to hear that I’m not the only one!
Surprised to see it’s not mentioned here. 24 years old internet radio, still kicking, over 30 channels with hand-picked playlists, almost all of them suitable for concentration. They are sponsoring Def-Con for years. Owner has a great Fediverse presence.
Channels have very interesting concepts like Spy Jazz, Ambient over NASA’s mission broadcasts, Celtic Folk, Vaporwave, 80s Synthpop and my favorite SF 10-33 Ambient over San Francisco Police Radio live feed.
Omg, another Soma fan! I’ve been listening for years! Groove Salad/Classic, Synphaera, and Suburbs of Goa are my favs. This is my jam!
Synthwave, Post-Rock, Post-Metal, Shoegaze.
It’s what I mostly listen nowadays anyway.
Baby Shark x Ich Bin Schnappi, 10 hour endless loop.
This guy anxieties
I’ve used so many noise apps and sites and this has been my favorite. The thunder storm is my go to but rain on a tent is really good too
Manheim Steamroller put out a Summer Song album that has some great rain sounds with relaxing music.
The music of SILENCE. And I never listen to music at any other time either.
I’m beginning to think this makes me extremely unusual.
Atmospheric black metal, like Vvilderness
Film scores and soundtracks that have no vocals.
I listen while working most of the day most days, my top 5 are probably:
Mount Shrine, Sleep Research Facility, Thomas Koner, Loscil and Brian Eno
Always up for new listens though so I’ll check back what others put up for sure.
My go-to is MF DOOM’s Special Herbs, which are compilations of his beats without the rapping.
This & some Dilla beats. Something about the drunken wobbly beats helps push me thru a grind
A John Digwed mix is perfect for me and ticks all the boxes
- No lyrics
- Lasts for hours
- Never gets too repetitive, changes over time
- No starting/stopping between songs.
I’ve done my best work to his live in Cordoba mix
I love anything by Solar Fields for tasks requiring concentrating, it’s especially good for reading scifi.
Whenever he releases a new album though I have to listen to it a few times, before I can have it on in the background… It’s very beautiful and intricate.
Love Solar Fields in general.
For years I was adamant that I didn’t like ambient, I think because I’d only been exposed to very boring drone stuff. Then I discovered Solar Fields / Carbon Based Lifeforms and it changed my musical world.
I’m quite horrible at self-promo so sadly it’s just gathering digital dust, but after 20+ years of writing dance music for myself and others, I decided to get heavily into writing ambient / chill. Made a load of trippy animation videos and setup a youtube… if you love Solar Fields, without meaning to sound bigheaded I think you’d enjoy them.
For physical tasks that require little higher brain function but just need me to not zone out or chase a distraction, I listen to audiobooks and podcasts. It’s about the only way I can get stuff done around the house.
For tasks that require real brain power, I stick to original scores from movies and games. No lyrics, easy to find something with the right level of intensity for your mood, and generally designed to compliment an existing experience rather than be your sole focus.
Extended loops of Brothers in Arms from Mad Max Fury Road and Mountains from Interstellar have saved my ass in many a crisis. And the hour long Skyrim morning exploration mix and Witcher relaxation mix combined have probably doubled my creative output.
