The best albums to study to

 The best albums to study to

I don't think I'm the only one completely swamped with work at the minute - school's back, uni's getting tougher and the slug of February is sinking its teeth in. So it's time to turn to music, I really struggle to work without some sort of background noise, but obviously only certain types of music will really work here. I've gone for a bit of a mix of genres, some ambient, some indie rock, some electronic and some metal, but each work in their own way for different types of working moods and circumstances. Let's get into it. 

Minecraft Volume Alpha - C418

I think anyone born in the early 2000s has a certain nostalgic attachment to this soundtrack, or it may just be me, but whenever I hear the title track play I can't help but feel relaxed and calm. Simply one of the best game soundtracks ever written, and one of the few ambient records I can listen to without being extremely bored. The stunning mix of melodic soundscapes, chiptune beats and beautifully delicate production (although I think a slight remastering might help) makes it very easy to provide some much-needed relaxation and background noise. 

Sounds like: Soundtrack to nature

Good for: Stressful all-nighters

69 Love Songs - The Magnetic Fields

Arguably one of the most underrated albums of all time, simply because it came out at the very end of 1999 and missed out on the end of the best of 90's lists as well as 2000's. It's ridiculously difficult to make a double album work, ensuring that each song has its own identity and unique idea without being too jarring from the rest of the track-list and creating a whole sound and concept for the album. The fact that 69 Love Songs manages to do this with three albums and 69 songs, making each individualistic and memorable, all while being relaxing and somewhat cathartic is stupidly impressive. While it's more active listening than some of the others on this list, the album blends together beautifully and is a massive help for studying some of the more boring stuff.

Sounds like: The same story 69 ways

Good for:  Mind-numbing work when you need a lighthearted backing

Sunbather - Deafheaven

This one is definitely not for everyone as it falls into the genre of post-black metal, and is arguably the definitive work in the genre. Despite the admittedly correct assumption that metal can hardly be relaxing, (especially harsher and more extreme genres such as black metal) this album manages to be astonishingly beautiful and calming, so long as you don't mind some mild screaming and distorted guitars. Definitely up there amongst my favorite nighttime records, Sunbather makes the perfect study album for anyone into something a bit heavy.

Sounds like: A tranquil breakdown

Good for: The studious metalhead

Either/Or - Elliott Smith

Basically anything by Smith could be in this list, and considering most of his albums are on the shorter side of things it would be reasonable to listen to most of his discography in a study session. On the more melancholic end of the albums on this list, it's an outstanding record back to front, every song laced with excellent lyricism and charm, on top of the beautiful instrumentals and vocal performance. Smith's music is easy to drift away to, again one for late nights or slightly down days.

Sounds like: Gloomy optimism

Good for: Rainy days

Goths - The Mountain Goats

Known for being the prolific cult-favorites of indie-rock and indie-folk, The Mountain Goats have released three albums in the last two years. Goths is one of the more unique entries in their discography, the dramatic tones of a lot of the tracks adding to the nigh-concept album feel of the record, almost giving the feel of a musical more than an indie-folk record. Again a slightly more lively album than some of the others on here, but there's enough calm tracks, slow and melodic jazz sections and instrumentation as well as a muted but toned production quality to leave this as an easy studying companion.

Sounds like: Goths the musical

Good for: Dramatic indie fans 

The Race For Space - Public Service Broadcasting

One of the most interesting bands of the 2010s, whom I really hope will continue to release gold in the 20s, blending history documentaries with dance-rock and indie soundscapes. Race For Space is what I'd consider the strongest of the group's releases, and probably the most fitting for a revision session, the relatively light subject matter, often beautiful and calming melodies and soaring moments in tracks such as 'Go' create a very uplifting atmosphere. 

Sounds like: A space nerd's auditory dream

Good for: Scientists and sofa-studiers

Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots - The Flaming Lips

Besides having one of the best album titles I know of, this record is just so perfect for studying from start to finish. I think I've heard 'Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots, Pt. 1' in pretty much every cafe I've studied in, quite simply because the catchy riffs about human-eating robots is the perfect accompaniment to reading. Some might find this a little too invasive due to the upbeat and fairly catchy nature of the album, but I find it just right to sink into the back of my mind. 

Sounds like: A quirky sci-fi space opera

Good for: Indie robot nerds and chilled exam crams

Dawn Chorus - Jacques Greene

One of the few full-on electronic albums I find myself able to listen to all the way through without finding the inherent repetition incredibly grinding. Somehow managing to mix fast-paced drum beats, loud droning sirens and beautiful vocal samples into a full LP, Greene creates what could soundtrack a 3am shit-faced chill-rave or a stressful evening of work. Even those who hate electronic music and find it boring will be able to zone in with this on.

Sounds like: A perfect come-down companion

Good for: EDM fans with stuff to do 

When I Die, Will I Get Better? - Svalbard

Another one for the metalheads, fitting in nicely with the previous metal record on this list, Svalbard's latest record gives a bit of a British and more emotional tone to the post-black metal/ blackgaze scene. Serena Cherry's stunning vocals add a nigh-ethereal element to some of the tracks, the fast-paced nature of the album makes it a bit more engaging for working to and the shorter runtime means it's a good quick break from the more atmospheric entries on this list.

Sounds like: The end of a good night out

Good for: A head-banging study break

XX - The XX

When I was doing my GCSE's I used to listen to the 3-hour loop of 'Intro' while 'studying', and if it were possible to put that down as an album on this list I would. Despite that, the entire album is beautiful, minimal instrumentals, production and vocals come together better than most LPs I've heard. Considering the slow pace of the record and that it's mostly in the minor key, XX manages to be uplifting, lighthearted and memorable throughout, perfect for morning reading. 

Sounds like: Beautiful collapse

Good for: The minimalist

The 1975 - The 1975

The world's introduction to one of the most viral bands of the last 10 years, Matty Healy and co's debut is light, airy, upbeat and danceable, possibly not what everyone would associate with a study album. But it works for me, the pop-based songs, 80's synths, catchy hooks and choruses and bold production all combine for a more energetic yet equally focusing backing for work. Having said that, maybe don't expect to bang out an essay while having this spinning.

Sounds like: Summer from concentrate

Good for: Procrastination

Nowhere - Ride

Ah shoegaze, you lovely comforting genre, of which Nowhere is probably one of the most famous and iconic. This was the first album I listened to out of the '1001 albums you must hear before you die', and I'm still to really find much else that works quite as well within the genre, despite listening to a lot of the other prominent records on the scene such as Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine. The classic wall of guitars sound that's so unique and pervasive in the genre makes it very easy to sink into the music, and to your work, putting my mind right in the zone. 

Sounds like: 50 songs overlayed at once

Good for: Properly zoning in

Dear... G-D... - Being As An Ocean

Back once again to metal, this time looking to melodic-hardcore with atmospheric and post-metal elements, with a Christian message for a bit of spice. Soft and delicate plucked guitars with chimes and atmospheric features lay a calming setting, which the vocals crash through with the delicacy of a... well, a metal band. Even still, this doesn't ruin the relaxed and emotional feel of the album, a mix of clean and screamed vocals, highly melodic sections and near-spoken lines make this the perfect record to work to for me, but I do realise I'm probably peculiar in this.

Sounds like: Anger meets acoustic

Good for: People like me

Fourteen Autumns and Fifteen Winters - The Twilight Sad

Going north to Scotland with this one, who I fully believe produce some of the most underrated and best bands out there, article to come. The Twilight Sad sound like a band who have been round for much longer than they have, and deserve a much larger following than they have, especially given how well-received and loved their albums are. The first album I came across by the band, and probably the best, the beautiful production, warm and calming vocals and varied instrumentals bring to life the emotive yet strange lyrics.

Sounds like: A Scot giving you a hug

Good for: Winter days

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco

I can't hear the name of this album without the repeated line in 'Poor Places' running through my head for hours on end, weirdly eerie yet calming. That's probably the best way to describe this album as a whole, ever so slightly creepy and odd due to the sparse production and instrumentation that sometimes feels disjointed and lumpy, yet calming and beautiful. A mix of seemingly nonsense lyrics and heartfelt songs about love and life, this iconic album provides the perfect way to settle into a day of staring at books and powerpoints.

Sounds like: A madman with a sense of melody and a guitar

Good for: Anyone with a bit of an open mind 

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