What is focus music? It is a type of music that helps people concentrate and keep productive. It typically features steady rhythms, soothing melodies, and a consistent tempo, and it often includes instrumental tracks to avoid distractions. This will foster sustained attention and help block out distracting background noises.
Some common types of focus music: ambient, classical, lo-fi, and binaural. A lot of jazz music keeps me focused, and certain albums of course. Simply Red's latest album, Time, has been in constant rotation on my turntable and iPod. It's a masterclass in pop-soul music that's inspired by classic funk, blues, and R&B. Lead singer, Mick Hucknull, wrote the album during the Covid lockdown. The result was something introspective and with a lo-fi, ambient sound.
“When we were in lockdown, I went, well, jeez, who am I actually? What makes me tick?” Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall shares. “And I realized, you are a songwriter. So why don’t you write some songs about who you are? That’s really the essence of this album.”
It is a highly recommended album, not just for focus music. It is a thoughtfully crafted, timeless sentimental work that touches your heart. This album also has joyful moments.
Taken from Fastcompany.com:
"The genre was also well aligned for musicians who weren’t able to get into studios. As more people were tuning in to focus music, it paved the way for more artists to create it. The styles of music typically found in these playlists are instrumental and often lo-fi. Since there were no tours happening, there was no need to fill large venues and festivals with vocal-fueled anthems. Many artists found opportunities to experiment with these instrumental soundscapes from the comfort of a socially-distanced studio."
What about nature sounds and white noise? White noise and nature sounds are not music, but they are soothing and can help you relax, which in turn makes you more productive. Also, these sounds facilitate mental health by easing anxiety symptoms. Moreover, these sounds and focus music can ease overall job stress. A majority of Americans also admit to regularly checking their emails, texts, and social media accounts, which leads to higher levels of stress. UC Irvine researchers found that it takes people on average 23 minutes to refocus after an interruption, illustrating the negative effects of digital interruptions.
People are turning to music as a way to combat technological distractions. Recent statistics demonstrate the ascent of the focus genre. Focus music playlist listening time increased 50% on Spotify in their 2023 Wrapped report, and Pandora created 47% more focus music stations in 2023 than previously. I find that very interesting! The link to this Fastmoney.com article is below.
Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91173682/the-rise-of-focus-music
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