Deep Focus playlist on Spotify
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.
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.
Atmospheric black metal, like Vvilderness
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
- lofi
- ambiance
- game soundtracks (chill ones)
Depends on how my mind is. If I need to concentrate because I am anxious, I try to put on something without serious lyrics, though gentle enough to calm my anxiety down. If I am calm yet finding it hard to focus, I tend to put on light music that I usually listen to, like my most listened to tracks: I find these tracks are the easiest to drown out with the least distractions, as I already know in my head where the tracks are going, however with new tracks even instrumentals when I lose concentration I tend to focus too much on the new tunes and such.
Many times I don’t listen to anything as my head is too cluttered that way.
Mandopop cause I only understand a handful of words.
My personal playlist with a mix of edm or lo-fi/jazz-rap stuff. The edm part is usually chill and with minimal or no lyrics
Film scores and soundtracks that have no vocals.
My go-to is MF DOOM’s Special Herbs, which are compilations of his beats without the rapping.
The music varies a lot. Everything from Adam Young, via Hiromi Uehara, to Dimmu Borgir. The common thread is that it has to be instrumental and not annoying.
- Lo-fi hip hop instrumentals. Think Nujabes and related producers or MF DOOM and Madlib beats.
- Jungle/atmopheric DNB. NOT breakcore because I know electronic fans are rabid about genres and categories.
- High paced rap and rock/metal. Counter-intuitive for studying but great for physical exercise. This is mostly newer style rap.
Aphex Twin
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.
