Five Great Albums for Productivity

A list of albums to help you finish that email you’ve spent the last hour planning on typing up.

Finding the perfect music to accompany you at your desk can sometimes be an all-consuming task: some of us hate listening to lyrics while we work, others find our favourite tunes just a bit too distracting.

So we’ve put together a list of albums that should hopefully encourage you to finish that email you’ve spent the last hour planning on typing up…

1. Stereolab — Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night

Minimalist textures, psychedelic sound-worlds and driving rhythms combine for a pleasant experience that will get your brain flowing with energy in this album from this avant-pop band.

If you’re not a fan of hearing words while you work, don’t worry as the vocals are so nicely placed in the mix you won’t be distracted from that email you’ve spent the last 20 minutes trying to type up…

2. Natalia Lafourcade — Hasta La Raiz

If you yearn for a coffee shop atmosphere (and aren’t fluent in Spanish), this delightful album from Mexican songstress Natalia Lafourcade is a breath of fresh air. It’s a pleasant listen, with enough positive vibes to see you all the way through to lunch.

3. Steve Reich — Music for 18 Musicians

Here’s one for you if you’re against any form of lyrics while working. This seminal work by American minimalist composer Steve Reich will transform your sonic office backdrop into a haven of pulsating ambient sounds that will have you typing away to its precise rhythms.

We recommend keeping the volume down on this one as to not let get too consumed by the musical genius on hand.

4. Floating Points — Shadows EP

This dazzling EP is for those who like to get stuff done immediately after a coffee. Once it gets into the flow with its micro house grooves, we promise you’ll be typing in time to Sam Shepherd, aka Floating Points, and his addictive beats, with synthesiser improvisations sprinkled on top. Delectable.

5. Lubomyr Melnynk — Corollaries

Forget Einaudi (really, please do), this is the neo-classical artist you should be spending your time listening to. His precise piano technique and earthy string accompaniments will transport you to a place of minimalist tranquility, and if you don’t mind a few lyrics while you work, the dreamy vocal deliveries should be enough to send you into straight into the zone.