Ambient Music
Ambient music has always interested me, particularly in its ability to evoke an emotional response without uttering a single phrase or word.
Though the genre will never hit the mainstream like a traditional pop record, more people should experience the genre to some degree.
The genre is defined as music full of lush, sonic landscapes with a ton of atmosphere. Basically, it prioritizes tone and atmosphere over conventional musical structure or rhythm.
There’s plenty to enjoy from the ambient world and to help get you started—such as some of my own ambient releases—here are a few ambient records worth exploring.
Some Recommendations
As noted, below are ten records in the ambient world that I enjoy. I have them divided up by starters and some recent records you can’t miss out on if you’re a fan of the genre. Feel free to look them up in your respective streaming service or on the web to give them a listen.
Starters
Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Volume II
Brian Eno - Ambient 1: Music for Airports
Fripp & Eno - Evening Star
Stars of the Lid - And Their Refinement of the Decline
Steve Roach - Structures From Silence
Contemporary - Releases From The Last Ten Years
Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra - Promises
Gia Margaret - Romantic Piano
Laurel Halo - Atlas
Nicolas Jaar - Cenizas
Tim Hecker - Virgins