Peace and tranquility are virtues for any passenger, only sometimes they aren’t easily attainable. Sometimes personal comfort is out of your hands. In this case, a tailored playlist ready to lull and drowse is your calling. Plug-in your headphones and press play. It doesn’t get much more easy does it?
Ólafur Arnalds & Nils Frahm – 21:05
The two musicians take to the pianos and synthesizers, and combine forces for an improvised full-length which is worth a listen in it’s entirety. 21:05 highlights a thoughtful melancholy, one that is sure to keep you in your seat while cruising at 10,000 meters.
Brian Eno & Harold Budd – First Light
As with nearly all of Brian Eno’s work, “First Light” plays tribute to serenity. The more you listen to “First Light,” the more it begins to make sense. The piano noodling which at first seemed sporadic, becomes increasingly though-out and time consuming. Perfect for the intercontinental traveler.
Aphex Twin – Xtal
The mysterious producer’s Selected Ambient Works 85-92, which features “Xtal,” is more of a dare than a guaranteed homerun. “Xtal” is one of the more easily approachable, soundtrackish tunes on the album. The female vocal sample and composition in general have definitive astral qualities, placing the listener deeply in and amongst the clouds.
Huerco S. – On The Embankment
Hueco S. won’t be known to many outside of a very niche scene, however his music does warrant your attention once arriving at it. “On The Embankment” features on his latest album, and fits perfect alongside the young Kansas City producer’s ambient excursions. The atmospheric sequences develop gradually, and accompany the passenger into a sultry ‘in-flight’ mode.
Sufjan Stevens – To Be Alone With You
Despite often opting for an array of instruments, on “To Be Alone With You” Stevens sticks to an acoustic guitar, and what a brilliant choice that turned out to be. The self-reflective lyrics and nonchalant rhythmic strumming will undoubtedly calm the nerves of any flyer.
Iron & Wine – The Trapeze Swinger
Clocking in at over 9 minutes, “The Trapeze Swinger” is an extended auditory experience of the highest quality. The not-so-distant humming has an intoxicating effect, and the curious lyrics tell a story worth listening to. “The Trapeze Swinger” offers the perfect soundtrack for a misty, overnight flight.
Deepchord – Pinewood Lodge
You could pick up any release from Deepchord’s extensive catalogue, and probably not be sonically far off ‘Pinewood Lodge.’ The dub techno mainstay continue to provide journeying men and women with quality ‘zoning out’ soundtracks, and “Pinewood Lodge” is just one of many. The reverberated chords and steady 4/4 kick are a friend of any voyager.
Jai Paul – Jasmine
Another mystery man, Jai Paul originally released Jasmine on his SoundCloud page. The artists’ eccentricity translates to this particularly hypnotic piece of quirky and melodic music. The rumbling bassline and playful strings make for an airy and floaty track, fit for higher altitudes.
Mouse On Mars – Chagrin
“Chargin,” off the German duo’s first album, is yet another ‘left-field,’ electronic influenced piece. More pronounced chords emerge occasionally to partner the persistently fluctuating ones. The traditional ABCs of a song are re-arranged, as there is no distinct beginning-middle-end to the track, making it perfect to get lost in during a flight.
Gaussian Curve – Broken Clouds
“Broken Clouds” is a true throwback to the hay day of Berlin-style sequencing. There is more old than there is new on this track. Sticking to very minimal elements – a couple synthesizers and some effects – Gaussian Curve create a beautiful hovering and atmospheric piece of cabin must-plays.
Are we there yet? A travel playlist for kids – and grownups