From Chaos to Calm: My Music Resources for Deep Work

It's 7 pm. I'm on a crowded train with a noisy family sitting next to me. If I want to finish this blog post, there is only one solution: music.

On a sunny terrace, in the library, or at home, sometimes you just need some atmospheric music to get deep work done. It helps to block out those nasty distractions. There are the real ones, like an old Italian grandfather trying to explain why his favourite football team didn't win the last game. But most importantly, there are the ones that live in your head – those thoughts that only come when you need to get things done. (No, now is NOT the perfect time to fix your broken tote bag.)

Music with a steady beat and no vocals works best for me. Here are my favourite flow-inducing music resources:

Julian Shapiro's Writing Flow playlist

The inspiration for this post came from Julian Shapiro's excellent Writing Well handbook. In it, he mentions his Spotify playlist. It lasts for 68 hours. Just long enough for your LA commute.

C418 (Daniel Rosenfeld)

Unless you're not too old, you've probably already heard the music of C418. Daniel Rosenfeld is the man behind the music of Minecraft. (So yes, if you're too nostalgic, I'm sorry, but this one might not be for you...) He has compiled all his music in this Spotify playlist.

Natthal by Sebastian Mullaert

Sebastian Mullaert produced Nathall with musicians of the Tonhalle Orchester Zürich. The aim was to make the listener more present and aware. That's exactly what we're looking for when we do deep work! Learn more about this modern classical concert and album in the documentary.

Spotify's Smart Shuffle play mode

Spotify is awesome at recommending songs (much better than me 😢). So let's put its magic algorithm to good use. The Smart Shuffle feature keeps listening sessions fresh with personalised recommendations. Tap the shuffle button on your playlists to add recommendations that match the mood.

Bonus: Brown noise

If you really need to confront your inner demons, brown noise is your last hope. Starting your session with brown noise is a great way to focus your mind. I usually listen to it for about 30 minutes. When I feel better, I switch to one of the previous resources.