Space Music: The Best of the Instrumental Genre

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Space music is a genre of electronic music that is known for its calming, relaxing qualities. It often features long, drawn-out tracks with minimalistic arrangements. If you’re looking for music to help you wind down or relax, space music is a great option.

What is space music?

Space music is a genre of music that is often described as atmospheric, minimalist, or floating. It is usually instrumental, and often uses a slow, steady tempo. The music often has a dream-like quality, and can create a sense of relaxation or euphoria.

The history of space music

Space music, sometimes called spacemusic, is a subgenre of electronic music, characterized by a feeling of drifting through space, often with production techniques that produce a hypnotic or trance-like effect. It can be either purely electronic, or include organic instrumentation such as acoustic guitar or flute.

The term was coined in the 1970s by British producer Brian Eno to describe his own ambient music experiments, and has been used since then to describe music in a variety of related genres. Music in the space music genre often features long, slow passages without much change in tempo or structure, and is designed to induce a sense of relaxation or tranquility.

Despite its name, space music need not have any explicit connection to outer space; many tracks simply evoke a sense of being suspended in time and place. However, some artists do incorporate astronomical or science-fiction themes into their work.

The history of space music can be traced back to the early 20th century classical compositions of Erik Satie and Claude Debussy, who both experimented with incorporating elements of Theosophy and Impressionism into their work. In the 1950s and 1960s, composers such as Edgar Varèse and Karlheinz Stockhausen began exploring the use of electronic instruments and musique concrète techniques, which would lay the groundwork for many subsequent electronic music genres.

In 1968, Brian Eno released his first solo album For Your Paintings (1968), which featured looped tape recordings of ambient soundscapes; this album is widely considered to be one of the earliest examples of space music. Since then, Eno has continued to pioneer the genre with albums such as Ambient 1/Music for Airports (1978) and Apollo: Atmospheres & Soundtracks (1983), both of which are considered classics in the field. Other influential artists in the genre include New Age pioneers like Klaus Schulze and Tangerine Dream, as well as more recent acts like Steve Roach, Robert Rich, and Fortress Foundation Kitaro’sner

The popularity of space music

Space music is a genre of instrumental music that conjures up images of space and the cosmos. It is often described as being ‘floaty’, ‘dreamy’ or ‘ambient’. The genre is said to have originated in the 1970s with electronic music pioneers such as Brian Eno and Klaus Schulze.

Since then, space music has become increasingly popular, with a wide range of artists creating both ambient and more energetic pieces. The genre has also been used in a number of films and video games.

If you’re looking to explore the best of space music, check out our list of top 10 space albums below.

The best space music albums

The best space music is typically instrumental, and often has a very calm and relaxing feel to it. This type of music is perfect for studying, sleeping, or just unwinding after a long day. If you’re looking for some great space music, check out the albums below.

“The Planets” by Gustav Holst

First released in 1918, Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” is a seven-movement orchestral suite that evokes the atmospheres and moods of the planets in our solar system, from Mars, the Bringer of War to Neptune, the Mystic.

While not strictly space music, “The Planets” is one of the earliest and most influential examples of music inspired by astronomical themes. It’s an important work in the development of electronic and ambient music, and it has been frequently used in media ranging from film scores to video game soundtracks.

“Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd

This album is often cited as one of the best examples of space music. It features lengthy, atmospheric tracks that are perfect for spending an evening relaxing or exploring your own thoughts. The title track is particularly well-known, and has been covered by many other artists.

“2001: A Space Odyssey” by Richard Strauss

This 1968 classic by the great film composer Richard Strauss is perhaps the greatest space music album of all time. It is the perfect accompaniment to any journey into the unknown, be it an Outer Space adventure or an inner exploration of the mind. The music is both epic and intimate, grandiose and personal, making it the perfect score for Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece film. If you’re looking for space music that will inspire you to reach for the stars, this is the album for you.

The best space music artists

Instrumental music has the ability to take the listener on a journey without any words getting in the way. When it comes to space music, this journey is often into the great unknown. With space music, the artists use a variety of electronic sounds to create an otherworldly atmosphere that is perfect for dreamers and explorers alike. If you’re looking for some space music to take you on a journey, look no further than these artists.

Vangelis

Vangelis is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, and orchestral music. He is best known for his Academy Award-winning score to Chariots of Fire and composing scores for the films Blade Runner and 1492: Conquest of Paradise.

Space music is a subgenre of electronic music that relies heavily on synthesizers and other electronic sound-producing devices. Space music is often slow-paced and meditative, with minimalist composition structures. It sometimes incorporates environmental sounds or field recordings.

Vangelis’ music has been described as “lyrical”, “emotional”, “meditative”, and “spiritual”. His use of synthesizers has been praised as “innovative” and “pioneering”. AllMusic’s retrospective review of Chariots of Fire praised the film’s score as “one of the most memorable and popular film scores ever written”, noting that it had “set the standard for Piels beer commercials”. Vangelis’ work on the score was also praised, with AllMusic describing it as “majestic” and “triumphant”.

Brian Eno

Brian Eno is one of the most important ambient and electronic music artists of all time. He has been making music for over four decades, and his influence can be heard in the work of countless other artists. Eno is a master of creating atmospheric soundscapes, and his music is perfect for relaxing or exploring inner space. If you’re looking for the best space music, Brian Eno is a great place to start.

Jean Michel Jarre

There are many different types of space music, but one of the most popular is Jean Michel Jarre. Jarre is a French musician who uses a variety of electronic instruments to create his music. He is well-known for his 1986 album, Oxygene, which became one of the best-selling instrumental albums of all time. If you’re looking for space music that is both relaxing and exciting, then Jean Michel Jarre is definitely worth checking out.

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