The year in Concentration 2022

I’m a web developer, and an avid reader. So I spend a lot of time playing music that enhances–rather than distracts from–what I’m concentrating on.

I have some very particular ideas about what makes good concentration music. I like it to be chill, but not completely rhythm-less. Melodically interesting, but not so dense or complex that I have to pay close attention. Instrumental music is preferred, or music in languages I have no idea how to speak so I don’t pick out words and activate that language part of my brain. Not too fast, not too slow. Varied in instrumentation and texture so it doesn’t all melt together.

Here are some things I added to the rotation in 2022.

Aura - Hatis Noit

Can’t say enough about this one. Really amazing layered vocal work that creates a world of its own.

I Survived, It’s Over - Rich Ruth

Hazy cosmic jazz

Ghosted - Oren Ambarchi, Johan Berthling, Andreas Werliin

Spotify’s algorithm seemed to decide the first track of this was nearly always the next to suggest when I was done with something else. They’re not wrong, though.

Natura - Drum & Lace

Shout out to a closer listen for finding this one for me. It got spun often.

Reflections - Alina Bzhezhinska & HipHarpCollective

There isn’t nearly enough harp-driven jazz

Heaven Come Crashing - Rachika Nayar

Big, warm and bombastic without being overwhelming.

Ultra Truth - Daniel Avery

A late entry, only just out in November, but it quickly became a staple on my daily soundtracking.