I will be the first to admit that there’s something very mesmerizing about having the silence bark at you during your hours of study/work.

Sometimes, it’s all you need to really create a strong enough connection with the material – to gain a deeper understanding.

However, when you know you’ve got to be nose deep into 40+ page chapters on Law, Biology, or Psychology, or if you have Physics, Math, or Statics problems to complete by the boat-load, silence isn’t quite going to cut it.

You’ll have a greater chance racking up z’s than getting past the first few pages or problems. Fortunately, there’s music to our rescue.

In fact, according to scientific research,(that of which I did not feel like citing) classical, jazz, and other instrumental music that doesn’t contain vocals tend to optimize your brain’s ability to comprehend new material and get through assignments.

And while this may all be very intriguing, today I want us to look at 5 unconventional “study/work songs” that can very well get you from one chapter or problem to the next with ease.

NUMBER-FIVE [5]

Troye Sivan – Dance To This ft. Ariana Grande

Now, normally when you’re considering music to get you through the long hours ahead, you initially wouldn’t think that a song featuring Ariana Grande would be the best choice.

Especially since she’s known for her powerhouse vocals and upbeat, pop bangers that are more suited for dancing and singing along to as opposed to studying.

But in this cut, she’s paired with the effeminate,  gentle-voiced greatness that is Troye Sivan. And the two make magic together.

The vocal arrangements are mellow to the point where they aren’t considered underwhelming. However, the production is the real highlight of the track.

Winding synths join forces with a peppy beat and lasting keys to create a relaxed atmosphere that is just engaging enough to get you through it all.

Trust me, in the same manner “We could just dance to this”, you can just study to this.

Genres: Pop, Dance, Electronic

NUMBER-FOUR [4]

XXYYXX – About You

This song should have definitely also made my Top 5 Favorite Chilled Tracks list ( See that list here). But here we are now.  On the first couple of listens it may only sound like a song people get high to, but I assure it offers so much more.

The ambient and somewhat haunting melody that embodies the track is the result of it being a slowed, backward track that samples the likes of “Just Hold On” by Zircon and “End of Time” by Beyoncé.

So if you’re trying to make heads or tails of the lyrics, don’t waste your time. Conserve your energy for the books and just enjoy the ride.

The music is subliminal in character, almost as if nothing’s there. As you go from cover to cover, you’ll find yourself doing so with an assured sense of calm.

And who knows? After you’ve aced that big test, you can roll one up with the crew and let this track take your high to the next level.

KIDDING!

Genre: Pop

NUMBER-THREE [3]

Childish Gambino – Feels Like Summer

Allow this gem of a tune to add a slice of fun to your mundane study regime. Once again, Childish Gambino finds himself on another one of my lists.

And this time, he’s back with a very translucent sound. With its smooth and soulful vocals and intricate parts, the song offers itself as a beacon of light in today’s modern music arena.

There’s knocking, dinging, rattling, shaking, and beeping working intelligently in the background to bring you a track that just flows seamlessly from start to finish.

It’s the type of song that’ll help you solve a problem that’s been bugging you for quite sometime. As you listen, you’ll start realizing that the song is suggesting that you “Slow down”, retrace your steps and discover where you went wrong.

However, I advise you to play it in isolation from its music video, because not getting distracting during studying/work is challenging enough.

Genres: R&B, Neo Soul, Neo-Psychedelia

NUMBER-TWO [2]

Abra – Crybaby

If you’re in need of something with more a little more zest and “umph”, then Crybaby is the one for you. This around 5 minute track will have you spamming the replay button as you fall for its 80s, dark-pop aesthetic.

With vocals and lyrics that are tantamount in their quirkiness, you’ll find yourself latching onto the feel-good, rhythmic snare of the song.

It’s actually kind of ironic listening to a song that talks about crying and having “an ocean of emotion”, when you’re trying to hold it all together with the excessive workload from your courses.

I swear, when Abra goes “Calling me a crybaby, when you’re the one that’s making me cry” , I just envision someone singing this line to their stack of papers and books. It’s pretty hilarious, in a twisted sort of way.

Luckily, the song is just lively enough to prevent you from bursting into tears (I would hope).

In any event, this is surely a track that’ll place you in zone like no other and get you where you need to be at the end of each work/study session.

Genre: R&B

Honorable-Mentions

  • Parks, Squares & Alleys – We’re Not Just Friends
  • Martin Garrix – Animals (Original Mix)
  • ODESZA- Say My Name ft. Zyra
  • Selena Gomez – Kill ‘Em With Kindness
  • Bastille – Pompeii

*NUMBER-ONE [1]

Haleos – Cloud Nine (The Originals)

Yes ladies and gentlemen, I am certain 90% of you have no idea who this British musical trio even is.

And up until one really good episode of MTV’s Hit-Series Teen Wolf, I discovered this musical pearl among several oysters of that show’s soundtrack.

At first, you’re brought in by the simplicity of the beat. As the song progresses you get a taste of the imprinting vocals that can sound like cries at various points. But they work.

And then there’s this paranormal rumble that keeps abreast with very timely percussion and swaying lyrics. It’s the perfect blend of mellow and upbeat.

It’s relaxing enough to be played in the background, yet interesting enough so you don’t accidentally fall asleep. And can we just appreciate the reverb on this song?

It adds another layer of enjoyment to the song. Making you feel as if an actual spirit is amidst your presence alongside you as you study.

(In a more comforting than creepy way of course.)

Ultimately, you’re in for a treat with this track that will do as the title suggests and take you on Cloud Nine as you effortlessly fade off into successfully completing your studies/assignments.

Genres: Electronic, Dark Euphoria

Did you enjoy the list? Have you given these tracks a listen?Let me know in the comment section below.

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