Instrumentals to work to

[RizzoTheRat]

Working from home and finding noise cancelling headphones with some quiet instrumental music works best at drowning out background noise without distracting me the way lyrics often will.

Currently listening to some 2cellos who do great instrumental covers of well know songs. Any recommendations for other stuff to try? I'm guessing there's probably loads of classical music that would fit the bill but I don't know a lot about it.

ETA: Should have said also been listening to some Sigur Ross, Bond, Hans Zimmer, Orbital, Zero 7, Lemon Jelly and Chicane, so a wide range of things considered acceptable.

Edited by RizzoTheRat on Monday 23 March 15:29

[chadders74]

Thomas Bergersen
Two Steps From Hell

[designforlife]

If you want something a bit more contemporary, highly recommend the bands Explosions in the Sky and This Will Destroy you.

[RizzoTheRat]

Started with some Thomas Bergersen on Youtube and enjoying so far. Good suggestion.

[Hoofy]

I just put on something like light jazz.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neV3EPgvZ3g

I don't normally listen to jazz but it works as background noise because I don't listen to jazz so have no interest in listening to where the melody is taking me.



I guess I could equally listen to this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzjWIxXBs_s

[Simes205]

Fila Brazilia
Tosca

[J8 SVG]

https://threeriversproject.bandcamp.com/album/conf...

Pretty experimental but might enjoy

[HustleRussell]

'Gogo Penguin' at the moment
Portico Quartet
Public Service Broadcasting
Cinematic Orchestra

[thebraketester]

Einaudi... nice chill out piano stuff.

Jimmy Webb Ten Easy Pieces.... there is nothing better than listening to a really well recorded piano with good headphones.

[P5BNij]

An extended version of Air's 'La Femme d'Argent' from their 'Moon Safari' album in the mid '90s.... perfection...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbmbmcNw920

[cherryowen]

Maybe:-

All of Chopin's Nocturnes

[Grrbang]

I generally can't work to music, unless it's Aphex Twin, Selected Ambient Works 85-92.

[Gargamel]

https://youtu.be/iu3Wfx-mgjE

KlangRussell - Time

I have an Andy Weatherall mix - which might be a bit hectic for some, but I like.

Sibelius - Finlandia is also good.

[wal 45]

Big fan of the following and hopefully a few of these would fit the bill:

A Winged Victory for the Sullen
36
Nils Frahm
Olafur Arnolds
Ben Lukas Boysen
Abul Mogard

Basically anything on Erased Tapes, A Strangely Isolated Place or Past Inside the Present labels.

If you like a bit more electronic I’d look at;

Jon Hopkins
Rival Consoles
Kiasmos

[HustleRussell]

How could I forget Rick Wakeman, 'Piano Odyssey' now, 'Piano Portraits' later

[Gargamel]

wal 45 said:

Big fan of the following and hopefully a few of these would fit the bill:

A Winged Victory for the Sullen
36
Nils Frahm
Olafur Arnolds
Ben Lukas Boysen
Abul Mogard

Basically anything on Erased Tapes, A Strangely Isolated Place or Past Inside the Present labels.

If you like a bit more electronic I’d look at;

Jon Hopkins
Rival Consoles
Kiasmos

Nils Frahm is a great shout ...

[RizzoTheRat]

Gargamel said:

Nils Frahm is a great shout ...

I've peen picking some at random for the thread to play on YouTube and so far Rival Consoles is doing a better job of drowning out the wife's Sype call than Nils Frahm managed. I think I'm starting to find to 2 categories I'm after: quiet melodies to have on in the background; and louder foreground music to drown out the background

[SAB888]

When I want something really good to chill out to I usually opt for the Oblivion soundtrack by M83. Only the last track, 17, has vocals. Stunning music composed by Joseph Trapanese and Anthony Gonzalez.

[rover 623gsi]

John Foxx - anything he's done in the past ten years or so is pretty awesome