Chill Out Music: Rebirth of the Cool

When I tell people I listen to chill out music, they often have no idea what I'm talking about. When most people hear the words chill out juxtaposed with the word music, they might think of acoustic singer song-writers or the type of music played in a dentist's office. This is a far cry from the style of music that encompasses the genre of chill out. Chill out music is a style of electronica and is often referred to simply as chill or lounge. It is often associated with other styles of electronica such as trip-hop, ambient, nu jazz, and downtempo. Each style has its own unique tempo and sonic personality, but they all can be described as chill out. Chill out music derived its name from music played in clubs containing separate areas away from the dance floor where patrons could relax, or chill. The mellow, slow tempo music played in these areas provided a soothing break from the commotion of a crowded dance floor. Since then, an entire culture surrounding chill out music has emerged. Many trendy bars and clubs have dedicated their styling and atmosphere to reflect the genre.

Rapid advances in musical instrument technology have allowed radical musicians to consistently push the sonic envelope. Chill out music commonly includes elements of contemporary jazz, silky smooth vocals, hypnotic electronic beats, spacey keyboard arrangements, and a vast array of world music from every culture. Songs can range from beautiful instrumentals that make you feel like you're on another planet to futuristic r&b that makes you feel like you're in another time.

Artists you may have heard of creating chill out music include Zero 7, Thievery Corporation, and Massive Attack to name a few. It is unfortunate that many of the people I encounter aren't familiar chill out music or simply don't know what to call it or where to find it. Here are some outstanding examples of songs from my favorite chill out albums. They're an excellent place to start if you're new to chill out music. Each album is very strong from start to finish and I highly recommend giving each one a listen. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

The Richest Man in Babylon is both innovative and culturally rich. Its down tempo rhythms groove, providing the perfect backdrop for exotic layers of sound that span the globe. Using both electronic beats and live instruments, middle eastern melodies, bossa nova, reggae, and jazzy flourishes are blended together to create a delicious soup fit for the most fickle of musical tastes. This album is a masterpiece, and I recommend it to everyone.

Simple things is the perfect album to listen to if you need to unwind. The songs are often poppy and create an atmosphere that is very relaxing. Sultry vocals courtesy of Australian diva Sia Furler grace several tracks, adding to the album's dream-like quality. The beats on this album are of a slower tempo; not the type of album you'd throw a dance party with. The songs are spacey, very well crafted and contain enough interesting subtleties to keep you coming back for more.

In Between is a very jazzy album, but doesn't get caught up in endless saxophone solos. The melodies are simple yet memorable. The music is very organic sounding, and despite the fact that there is a fair amount of sampling, it has a quality that seems authentically human. Songs contain elements ranging from positive message hip-hop to Afro-Brazilian rhythms. The beats groove, but never become overly complex. Listening to this album is both inspiring and uplifting.

The music on Tourist can be described as a combination of jazz and electronica. One style never dominates the other, both are given fair treatment. Dub-like drum loops and deep bass lines provide a solid foundation upon which flutes, horns, keyboards, and Latin percussion are layered. Samples of jazz, blues, and vocal melodies are seamlessly integrated into the mix creating an astounding collage of sounds. The album's production is top notch and is something I can listen to again and again.