Forget having to choose between music and work from this point on — for you can have both, at twice the rate of productivity.
We’ve all been there, from our school days revising for exams, to working on an important piece of research for your company, to reading up on some important articles late at night.
It’s more fun with musical accomplishment, but often this distracts from the task at hand.
This, in part, could be seen to be an issue of genre.
Heavy metal will never be the music of choice to work and relax to – however much I am sure it works for thousands across the world – it will never become the default mode.
It’s equally unfair to suggest that it’s only one or two genres of music that can produce results when accompanying your brain-bending tasks.
The type of music listened to should be matched to the particular task you are working on at that moment in time.
If, for example, I am writing a post for this blog that I do not have to put a huge amount of thought into (knowing a large amount about a subject leaves you free to do other things while your brain and fingers spill out content onto the page) I can listen to fast-paced music to very good results (as we speak I am listening to Halo by Bloc Party).
In contrast, while writing the Mad Men post a few weeks back I was listening to the infinitely more relaxing Royksopp.
I’ll start with the obvious. Generally, it’s easier to work, revise and relax to music without lyrics. Generally. Personal recommendations when it comes to this category include the following…
Air Lost in Kyoto (other tracks)
Explosions in the Sky A Song For Our Fathers (other tracks)
Godspeed You! Black Emperor Moya (other tracks)
The Field Over The Ice (other tracks)
65daysofstatic Radio Protector (other tracks)
On the opposite side of the scale, it can be very beneficial to listen to fast-paced music while working if you’re spilling the contents of your brain onto the page with ease and conviction. Fast-paced recommendations include…
Animal Collective For Reverend Green (other tracks)
Bloc Party Halo (other tracks)
Daft Punk Human After All (other tracks)
Hybrid I Choose Noise (Ayahuasca Edit) (other tracks)
Metric Gold Guns Girls (other tracks)
Now comes my favourite category.
Before I proceed I should state that although these artists and tracks work well for me when it comes to staying productive, be that through working, revising, or relaxing, these are also artists, tracks and genres that fit in with my personal musical taste.
Even if you have never heard of the artist or song, or have heard them before and proceeded to dismiss them, I urge you to give them a try.
These artists, and in some cases individual songs are unique in that I can work well with them on in the background, I can revise/read with them on in the background without the lyrics or beat putting me off, and I can relax to them…
The Whitest Boy Alive Burning: First track from the album ‘Dreams’. This album is my number one go-to music when I need to work, revise or relax. I’ve listened to it upwards of 200 times in the past eighteen months and not once has it grown boring. If you don’t take anything else away from this post, take away this. (other tracks)
Bonobo Black Sands: Taken from the album of the same name. Released only this year, Black Sands is, in my opinion, musically outstanding. Second to The Whitest Boy Alive, this is my current go-to album when doing practically anything of any use. (other tracks)
Passion Pit Sleepyhead: Taken from the album ‘Manners’. Similarly to The Whitest Boy Alive, I’ve listened to this album upwards of 200 times (including Passion Pit’s EP ‘Chunk of Change’) and never tired of it. Just as perfect an accompaniment on the journey into work as it is writing up a document. (other tracks)
Vivaldi Winter: Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) is best known for his series of violin concertos known as The Four Seasons. Spring is among the most instantly recognisable classical pieces in the world. Winter, however, is my preference. It’s fast pace and exhilarating induced excitement is brilliant to both write and relax to. (other tracks)
Fleet Foxes Sun It Rises: First track from the self-titled album. Originally written off as ‘another indie band’ I ended up playing this album almost on a loop last year while writing my dissertation (thesis). (other tracks)
There you have it.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s been a very long time since I had to revise but I remember being a bit schizo on this. In the final year I developed a liking for classical music, particularly Mendelsson. Just as likely though a bit of very, very loud Black Sabbath would do the trick! Go figure! :)
It’s strange isn’t it! Two things that would be viewed to be as far apart from each other as you can go, yet they can both produce the same effects. I wish I had access to some of the knowledge I have now when I was back revising! Either that, or the answers.
I’m afraid I disagree with the music thing as I need silence to write properly, I’ve yet to find any music that doesn’t distract me and make me procrastinate. I’ve been known to put on noise cancelling headphones just to enhance my silence when I’ve been on a tight deadline!
But in the spirit of fairness, I’ll give your tracks a go and report back on my findings! xx
I know what you mean Al. My earphones work very nicely as earplugs, which I’ve had to use them for on a few occasions to block out everything! Give the tracks a go though, you may surprise yourself.
Great idea for a blog post, Ben, you’re right about the golden rule for listening while working – no lyrics!
I remember reading that Matt Mullenweg, founder developer of WordPress, listens to the same jazz instrumental over and over again while coding. Personally, I don’t listen much, except when I’m doing something that doesn’t require concentration.
I liked The Field Over The Ice.
Cheers Rob. I’ve read many books to that Field album!
I can totally see where Matt is coming from. I’ve also found Soma FM – http://www.somafm.com – to be really good at keeping me entertained without the distractions. Groove Salad, Poptron and some jazz station on there are my favourites!