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Comment by kcdev | Hacker News Reader

I couldn't dig it - but I like the article and idea. Other readers: what are some of your favorite chill background tracks? I'm on Hippie Sabotage lately.

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I have a coding / focus Spotify playlist of tracks that keep me focused and in the zone without being distracting. Contains a lot of ambient, deep instrumental house and ambient dub techno: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/28W4UPjme9kuIxMKjdlSMx?si=...

I unironically enjoy listening to this 16-second loop on repeat for 50 minutes: https://youtu.be/8snzt-umd0g

More recently, Haircuts for Men: https://youtu.be/XZUiPCGjej8

I enjoy this a lot and from time to time I recharge my batteries to it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RFunvF0mDw

I wouldn't call this background music. In fact, I'd say it works best when you give it your full attention with eyes closed. Nevertheless, 'Music for 18 Musicians' is a go-to when I need to simmer down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILpCKQlDmhc

Steve Reich and that particular piece are awesome. I'm not quite sure how "relaxing" his music is for me, but it can definitely induce trance-like states, and in general it's just good music.

I also like this rendition of Piano Counterpoint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM4t2Kvpv0Y

If you like Steve Reich, I'd also recommend Oneohtrix Point Never - R Plus Seven (and all his other albums pretty much).

'R Plus Seven' got major play from me when it came out! :)

I think the 'trance-like state' is what I find relaxing. It's basically meditation. I've been listening to the ECM recording since I posted that, and I'm realizing that's not my preferred recording. I really like the recording done by the Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xzyzgqEk5U&list=PLkqUzfbYHJ...

Also, this version by Rough Fields, which uses non-standard instrumentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DULIr7kskM8&list=PL21HssoFMq...

Well, there's the ‘Relaxing war sounds’: https://youtube.com/watch?v=bGgKdDCJx5o

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