Anytime I load up YouTube, whether that be on my own device or a friend's, there is always at least a couple of videos that pop up in the music column. That being atmospheric or ambient soundscapes for numerous uses, mostly being sleep, meditation, and studying. As I've immersed myself more into music journalism, I have found that softer and instrumental beats or sounds are the key to connecting with that creative well within myself. Many of my peers also keep these types of music and sounds in their rotations for various reasons, and as the days go on, it seems more and more people are as well. If you type into the search bar "ambient music" on YouTube, I am sure you will find a sea of channels and artists to choose from, some themes more lighthearted than others. Thumbnails ranging from fanart of famous TV shows, movies, and video games to something totally abstract. I have even noticed an increase in retro sci-fi art as thumbnails and the primary image used in these videos, while others go for AI-generated images of practically anything you could think of: castles, forgotten ruins, knights sitting under cloudless skies, and countless other visual representations of the video's intended vibe.
Obviously, this genre reaches far beyond loops on YouTube and playlists through streaming apps. No, it has existed for decades, producing various subgenres under its umbrella, styles labeled as atmospheric, drone, lofi, and the list goes on. But for today, I want to talk about this new wave, which is steadily rising and finding ways to inspire other forms of art.
Below I will leave some of my favorite artists and tracks for anyone who might be interested:
Spiritual Brother/Sci-Fi: Ambient and Drone
Spiritual Brother was one of the first ambient channels I subscribed to, I believe in late 2023. I was drawn to the simple titles and artwork chosen for these hour-long videos. I can confidently say I have spent more time listening to their loops than anything on both Spotify and Apple Music. These soundscapes latch onto my heart and ease my mind when I am struggling to settle down and write up an article or even just surfing the web.
Spiritual Brother
Spiritual Brother Sci-Fi
Athena IV: Ambient, Ethereal & Nature Soundscapes
Looking for soundscapes that push the three-hour mark? Athena has got you covered. The video I linked below has been a repeat listen for me over and over again. I can credit this video for guiding me through multiple writing sessions that were otherwise difficult.
Athena IV
Boards of Canada, Aphex Twin, and Carbon Based Lifeforms are three of the more iconic groups who expanded on the ambient and electronic genre, incorporating synthesizers, nature soundscapes, and other organic sound clips. Their music pushes outside of any mold and tends to leave me in a genuine awe, while providing a soothing and chill experience when I can't settle down with anything else.
The rabbit hole for drone/electronic/ambient music is quite deep. Beginning with Greek composer Vangelis back in the eighties and evolving into the web it is today. It's comforting seeing how far the genre has come, where the style is most prominently used, and how it has begun to influence artwork and aesthetics. One of the most important formats I notice it in is reels, tik-toks, and short format videos offering thought-provoking quotes around mental health, existentialism, and other profound topics centered around guidance and community towards the battles of life.
Honorable mentions: Mount Shrine, How to Disappear Completely, Atrium Carceri, and Cities Last Broadcast