Six Tunes: To Get Mindful To This Mental Health Month

BY RACHEL FIELDHOUSE

Since it’s (still) Mental Health Month, we’re following up with even more music to help you tune into your mental health. Whether you’re go-to chill-out songs are slow, upbeat, or somewhere in between, you’re sure to find something here to help you focus and stay present.

This week’s playlist features a soft, laid back vibe that’s the perfect soundtrack for your next meditation or self-reflection.

‘Fjögur píanó’ – Sigur Rós

Sigur Rós’ minimalist orchestral work contrasts the clear and crisp sound of the piano against the blended, hazy strings. To start, the lingering, cyclical melody in the lower register against a higher, weaving counter-melody work to ground you in the present. The piece evolves slowly, making an unnoticeable transition between solo piano and airy strings, helping you tune out the rest of the world and reflect.

‘The Southern Sea’ – Garth Stevenson

Feeling mindful can be tricky, but imagining yourself somewhere calming is one way to make things easier. Listening to ‘The Southern Sea’, you can’t help but picture the gentle rolling of ocean waves, slow-moving icebergs, and whales breaking the surface of the water, all captured by the ebb and flow of the double bass. Garth Stevenson shows off the full range of the double bass and sprinkles in some electronica to create a soothing atmosphere.

‘Lucid Dream’ – Owl City

Need something more upbeat? Whether you’re in need of a break or are looking for something different to feel mindful with, you’re sure to find it with ‘Lucid Dream’. The blend of whimsical lyrics and synth pop suggests a feeling of inspiration and taking flight.

‘An Ending (Ascent)’ – Brian Eno

A playlist all about feeling mindful wouldn’t be complete without some new age music, and this tune from Brian Eno is a top choice. Composed to accompany raw footage from the Apollo moon missions, the layering of synth chords in ‘An Ending (Ascent)’ evokes the silence and tranquility of outer space, all while feeling slightly haunting.

‘Hanging Lanterns’ – Kalaido

With light, rhythmic percussion and an airy flute melody rising over the top of it all, ‘Hanging Lanterns’ is another great choice for those looking for something more upbeat. The chime-like percussion, with some elements of electronica added in, makes it easy to picture bells being gently rustled in the wind.

“we circle through the night, consumed by fire”’ – Max Richter

If you’re finding it hard to take the time to pause, breathe, and notice the things around you, this song is for you. String instruments hold chords until they fade into silence while a keyboard bassline ripples underneath, giving the impression that the song itself is taking slow, deep breaths. And, when the violin melody starts (about halfway through) it skips along the top of the dense layer of chords, creating a calming vibe. A fusion of electronica and chamber music, Richter’s piece feels stretched out while still maintaining momentum and is sure to leave you feeling relaxed and meditative.