Set the Mood: School work

Be it writing, studying or homework, music can help with concentration and motivation. Below is a mix of albums that do one or both of those.

Music for Airports

By Brian Eno

Comprised of serene loops played at odd intervals, Music for Airports is the perfect background music. As each loop plays, it draws further out of sync with the other loops in the track. Each track slowly creates a totally different song through the same loops. It is quite amazing.

Bloom

By Beach House

Anything by Beach House is ethereal. Bloom is no different, but it is one of their most relaxing. I have written many papers with this album in the background.

F#A# Infinity

By Godspeed You! Black Emperor

A dark, driving, yet serene album, it is great for concentration if one needs a push. It flows between intense periods into slow drone sections. It gets me through many of my more mundane assignments.

Trans Canada Highway

By Boards of Canada

Trans Canada Highway feels like a long drive on a seemingly never-ending road. It conveys relaxation with the excitement of the possibilities ahead.

Allelujah! Don’t Bend Ascend

By Godspeed You! Black Emperor

Another more intense album, much like F#A# Infinity, it goes between intense and nearly quiet periods.   

Tomorrow’s Harvest

By Boards of Canada

A calm album, it evokes possibility and the serenity of nature.

Music for Instillations

By Brian Eno

A collection of Eno’s compositions for various art installations, it is a mix of ambient and experimental electronic compositions. It is incredibly long and has a track for almost every occasion regarding school work.

Selected Ambient Works 85-97

By Apex Twin

Not as sparse as Music for Airports, Selected Works 85-97 is still a very relaxed and calm album. Not interested in gimmicks, the album is simply a collection of chill, ambient pieces.

Koyanniswatsi

by Philip Glass

Creepy and awe inspiring are the words that come to mind when thinking about the non-narrative documentary Koyaanisqatsi. One of the biggest reasons is Philip Glass’ amazing soundtrack. It is great for projects that require deep thought.

Duke & John Coltrane

By Duke Ellington and John Coltrane

Two jazz legends playing chill tunes, it is a no brainer.