It’s easy to get confused or put off by some of the terms and labels applied to music styles. In some cases, it’s very much an age thing. I’m a huge fan of classic rock and was a teenager at its prime in the 1970s. Which puts a bit of a label on me, never mind the music.
Despite liking the raucous rock styles, I also find that some quieter music to relax or unwind can be really helpful. Is that chill-out music, or am I mixing up the terms? I tend to think of chill-out as something more youthful and current.
Lofi, ambient sounds, perhaps more electronic, and lapped up by older millennials and Gen Z folks. So to me, talking keenly about chilled out sounds feels like wearing a hoodie beyond a certain age. I can’t do it.
Five great relaxing tunes to unwind with
I haven't labelled these songs as chilled for that reason. But they are pretty relaxing and work well as a background, or to listen to in depth. They are all, or mostly, as I’ll explain later, overlooked to the extent that you may not know some of these. But you should give them a try, whatever age and whatever label you want to apply to that style of music.
David Gray and Ben De Vries - “Skellig Calm Mix”
The Skellig album was a bit of a shift from David Gray when released back in 2021. But it was very peaceful and calming. I’d readily recommend any track from it, or indeed the whole album, for some peaceful, calming listening.
A further collaboration with Ben De Vries takes that to another level. De Vries produced the Skellig album. That work led to him and Gray releasing three special extended Calm Mixes from the songs on the album. I’ve picked out the version of the title song for this selection.
The three together are a blissful 30 minutes of chilled, atmospheric, and very calming set of music. You won't go wrong with any one or all three.
Marcin Waselewski Trio - “Diamonds and Pearls”
Introducing a jazzier style to the list, I have included a Polish trio. Marcin Wasilewski on piano, Slawomir Kurkiewicz on bass, and drummer Michal Miskiewicz. Their 2008 album January is an excellent listen; it’s relatively easy-going jazz, but avoids being too much like a hotel lobby or elevator style. It’s also not too radical and wild either.
This track, “Diamonds And Pearls,” is a terrific trailer for that album. It’s just what you need for a quieter listen or a relaxing background. I’ll be honest, I had played it a few times and hadn't appreciated that it was a Prince cover. There was a familiarity, but the style was quite different. Now, it may sound a bit like sacrilege recommending a jazz cover of a Prince album title track, but it works.
Cardinal Black - "Push/Pull"
Let's take a look at a slower, more reflective number from upcoming Cardinal Black. It stands out from their songs and their much fuller sound. I’ve written plenty about the band on here and their recent tour and album. Go look that up if you like the video below.
Part of the reason for the change in style here is the origin of the song. As guitarist Chris Buck explained on their recent tour, it was written after his father died. His low-key guitar sound and Tom Hollister's vocals carry the song perfectly. It’s such a great fit for a quiet listen.
Colin Steele Quarter - “Downtown Lights”
I hadn't realized until writing this that there was such a strong jazz connection to some of the tracks I have selected. This next example is very much in the jazz category. And it’s another cover of a rock classic. But then the Blue Nile were always tinged with jazz styles throughout their catalogue.
This track from the Colin Steele Quartet features on their album of Blue Nile Interpretations. If it appeals, look out for similar albums featuring them playing Diving For Pearls and Joni Mitchell songs too. “Downtown Lights” carries all the subtleties and musicality of the original; it adds a late-night smoky feel to it, too.
David Gilmour - “Luck and Strange Original Barn Jam”
It may seem odd to name a David Gilour track as overlooked, especially when it’s from his latest number one album. Not to mention carrying the album title within it. Well, it’s got a couple of reasons for being overlooked. And some great reasons why you need to play it. And with some of the other signposting to additional songs above, there are easily still five recommendations on here.
On Gilmour’s Luck And Strange album, the title track comes in at around seven minutes. It’s great in that format, but there is another mix and a longer version that you need to hear. Exclusively on digital versions of the album only, you’ll find “Luck and Strange Original Barn Jam” tucked away at the end of the listing.
With people increasingly selecting tracks for playlists rather than whole albums and others opting for the world of vinyl again, this one might have slipped past some people.
The Barn Mix version comes from recording sessions back in January 2007. Gilmour, along with Guy Pratt, Richard Wright, a year before he died, and Steve DiStanislao, had a few jamming sessions and recorded several instrumentals.
This rather special 14-minute-long track was used as the basis of the new album track and added to those digital versions. It’s lush, also jazzy, quiet, peaceful, and very soothing. It fits the bill of this list superbly, even if I have to stretch the overlooked aspect slightly.