Are you one of those people who needs music to focus? Do you have coursework to complete? Or a nine-to-five job that needs your attention? Well, you’ve come to the right place. A lot of lists you’ll see will recommend a lot of similar ambient albums.
While impressive in their own right, we’ve collected some albums that tread the line between being engaging and still having the right vibes to get you in a productive mood, spanning from acoustic singer-songwriter albums to spacey synths to breezy summer production. Bear in mind that this list is subjective, so you may not agree with all the choices, but at least give them a go anyways.
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#1 In Colour – Jamie XX
This is perfect for those long days working and waiting to get out into the sun afterwards. This album perfectly captures the feeling of summer through its warm production and effective use of guest spots. The XX alumni Oliver Sim and Romy contribute vocals to a few tracks, with the most memorable being ‘Loud Places,’ a song that is designed within an inch of its life for summer. But why is this a great album to work to, you may ask? The minimal use of vocals, the consistent warm production throughout, and the quiet clubby atmosphere keep you entertained while motivating you to do work by not being overblown or too distracting.
#2 Teen Dream – Beach House
Beach House perfectly encapsulates the genre of dream-pop on this record (and their various other projects) and leaves the listener in a world of ethereal beauty. What makes this album great to work to is the space it leaves with its spacey production and breathy vocals. It allows for the listener to feel mellow and isn’t overblown to the point where it will distract you.
#3 Con Todo El Mundo – Khruangbin
Khruangbin are the masters of psychedelic, spacey rock in the 2020s, and this album is no different. The trio created Con Todo El Mundo, an album that feels so laid back it’s probably fallen off its chair. Again, the band go in for a spacey approach to the feel of the album, and the textures created in the sound are extremely elegant. With very limited vocals and vibes plenty, this album is perfect to keep you focussed.
#4 Digital Shades Vol.1 – M83
Before M83 unleashed ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming’ on the world, he released Digital Shades Vol.1, an album full of cinematic synths and a whole world to get lost in. The running theme with this list with minimal vocals here continues, with its ambient atmosphere adding to the immersion you feel when listening, and making it perfect for studying.
#5 There is Love In You – Four Tet
This record from Maestro Four Tet is full of warm sounds to accompany you on any task you have to accomplish for the day. While containing clubby aspects, the production of 'There is Love in You' is warm and inviting and has elements that feel very organic to the overall production (e.g. guitar plucks on ‘Circling’). This album has just enough energy to keep you motivated, but not so much that you want to find the nearest dancefloor.
#6 The Car – Arctic Monkeys
For those who prefer a bit more lyricism in their music while studying, the most recent effort by Arctic Monkey’s certainly fits the bill. The cinematic feel of the record, along with Alex Turners new lounge singer vibe, gives the album a consistent feel and keeps you invested in the while keeping focussed on whatever you have to do. To quote my friend, the album is ‘pure vibes,’ and that’s a ringing endorsement.
#7 Songs – Adrianne Lenker
If you’re after more low-fi acoustic vibes for your studies/work/general enjoyment, then Songs by Adrianne Lenker more than delivers. Her beautiful, heart-breaking songwriting melds well with the more stripped-back approach compared with her work within Big Thief while offering similar vibes. The relaxed atmosphere also makes it great to work with, offering a lush soundtrack to whatever you have to do today.
#8 Ambient Works (85-92) – Aphex Twin
Okay, this appears on a lot of lists, but it can’t go without saying how effective this album is when you need to get something done. Even though it says Ambient in the title, upon listening, you discover that the album contains a lot of techno aspects to the tracks while retaining the ambient atmosphere. This odd mix allows the album to feel energetic but measured at the same time, and gives you more than enough focus to work.
#9 Hyperspace – Beck
Beck’s most recent work allowed the chameleon singer-songwriter to venture into Synthy, spacey rock tracks with hints of trip-hop, R&B and more. The album has an atmosphere akin to floating above the earth, and allows the listener to be transported away. This album is great for working to as it allows you to experience the floaty atmosphere and keeps you focussed enough to get your jobs done.
#10 Takk – Sigur Ros
The legendary Icelandic band's fourth album is perfect for this list, with it being their most accessible work and allowing for the scope that makes it almost cinematic. The gorgeous production and Jónsi’s vocals allow you to be transported away while working, and make the experience a more enjoyable one.
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#11 I See You – The XX
The group's third album saw them looking towards sunnier climbs and, more importantly, sounds that allowed the band to go beyond the hushed and minimal efforts of their first two albums. The album combines the warm and free-flowing production of Jamie XX and the performances of Sim and Romy. The album is pleasant to listen to while trying to get stuff done but allows the summer vibes to flow.
Listen along with our zone in playlist:
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