By: Hayley Zugaro
I have always struggled to figure out the appropriate soundtrack for when I’m doing homework. For some people, house and EDM, or even pop hits, might be ideal study genres. Personally, my study playlist ranges from electronic, to jazz, to indie, and is almost exclusively instrumental, with a few exceptions. My brain simply cannot function listening to super fast-paced songs with many lyrics, so for those of you who have this same struggle, I have compiled a list of songs that keep me focused on my work, but are also enjoyable to listen to. In my search for chill studying songs I have unexpectedly found some of my favorites, and maybe you will too.
“January” by Loving
Words cannot describe how much I love this song. Infused with nostalgia, melancholy, and wonder, this song takes listeners on a calming musical journey. Mixing alternative, indie, and pop, Loving produces tracks with a warm and cozy quality. They have some great songs with lyrics that I would encourage you to check out as well.
“Tristeza” by Astrud Gilberto
Want to feel like you’re sitting in a 60’s lounge, with a sunken living room and funky light fixtures? Do I have the song for you! That song is “Tristeza” by Astrud Gilberto, the queen of bossa nova in my opinion. “Tristeza”, while translated to sadness in English, makes me feel quite the opposite. This song is a breath of fresh air during long study sessions, making it a nice addition to your study playlist.
“Xtal” by Aphex Twin
If this song was a color it would be silver. Maybe it’s the heavy electronic quality or the sharp synth beats, but it feels very industrial. This track is extremely conducive to focus, and I find that I am able to crank out a lot of work when I’m listening to it. Aphex Twin’s songs will make you feel like you are either at a rave or in a continuum, both of which may be ideal for homework.
“Summer Madness” by Khruangbin
Seeing as they were my top artist of 2024, it was extremely difficult to pick just one Khruangbin song to recommend. Most of their songs are instrumental and moody, making them an optimal soundtrack for studying. With that being said, “Summer Madness” in particular has a motivating quality. Throughout the entire song, tension seems to build until the siren-like sound at the end. The way this song drives forward motivates me to stay focused.
“White” by Frank Ocean (feat. John Mayer)
You may not think of Frank Ocean when it comes to study music, but it’s time to think again. I am a fan of Frank Ocean, and “Channel Orange” in particular, so I was delighted when I came across this instrumental. Frank Ocean’s mellow R&B sound and John Mayer’s skillful guitar riffs come together in harmony to create this lovely one minute track.
You may not agree with every single track that I have deemed a “study song,” but I hope at the very least you garner some inspiration from these deep cuts. For me, study music can include any genre, as long as it’s relatively chill and largely instrumental. Listening to new tracks or your favorite ones makes homework less grueling and perhaps more fun? I have begun to reframe the act of doing school work as an opportunity to listen to music for hours on end, which sounds like a good time to me. Enjoy these tracks and study away!