How Ambient Tunes Turn Everyday Chaos into Chill Vibes

Ambient music is a genre that focuses on creating a calming atmosphere rather than using strong rhythms, melodies, or lyrics. It often features soothing sounds like rain, gentle chimes, and soft drones. Over the years, ambient music has grown from a niche style in the 1970s to a popular choice for millions of people who want to relax, sleep, or concentrate. Playlists such as Deep Focus and Ambient Relaxation on Spotify have millions of followers, and similar playlists are popular on Apple Music, YouTube, and BBC Sounds.

Huw Roberts, a web developer from Chepstow, has been running the ambient music label Serein for two decades. He describes ambient music as an 'addiction' and admits that he uses it to escape from the constant notifications and news on his phone. Huw was drawn to gentle music from a young age, preferring to play the piano softly. He releases music under the name Hidden Rivers and says it helps him 'go somewhere else for a bit. ' His label found early success with a project called Nest, which blended harp, piano, and mysterious sounds. The music quickly sold out and encouraged Huw to continue.

The popularity of ambient music has increased, especially after the pandemic, as more people seek ways to relax and focus. Sophie Harris, who works at a communications agency in Cardiff, listens to soundscapes inspired by the Lord of the Rings to help her concentrate. She enjoys choosing different fantasy realms to work in, and she is not alone—videos like Middle-earth - Rivendell Music & Ambience have millions of views on YouTube. Caroline Hodges, another agency employee, uses ambient music to unwind after work, finding it harder to quiet her mind because of social media. Carys Williams started listening to ambient music while studying and now uses it daily to help her focus. Helen Wild, the agency's managing director, supports her team's use of ambient music, seeing it as a tool for creativity and efficiency.

Professor James Kilner from University College London believes ambient music provides a much-needed period of calm and reflection in our busy lives. He says that while we are constantly bombarded with stimuli from our phones, ambient music allows us to pause and relax. Musician Richard Norris, known for his work with The Grid, turned to ambient music after feeling unsafe in his London flat. He created long ambient pieces to make his studio feel like a safe space and received positive feedback from fans who said the music helped with depression and anxiety. Sofie Birch, a musician in Copenhagen, now plays calming and unusual music from around the world on her radio show, believing that people have a natural need to connect with peaceful sounds. Ambient music has become an important part of modern life, helping people find moments of peace and relaxation.