The Top 5 Ambient Albums for Turning Your Brain Off and Zoning Out

Have you ever gotten home from a particularly rough day and just sat in silence? That particular experience can be made even better with a few ambient albums that match the melancholy of being over it. Let’s dive into our top five ambient albums for turning your brain off and zoning out!

1. ‘Excavation’ by The Haxan Cloak

This 2013 dark ambient album is The Haxan Cloak’s second release, and also one of his very best. There are so many elements on this album that make it dreamy, dark, and even danceable, from drone to experimental to industrial elements. Excavation was critically acclaimed when it was first released, and it still has strong listening power over a decade later.

2. ‘The Campfire Headphase’ by Boards Of Canada

Some wouldn’t necessarily describe the 2005 Boards Of Canada album The Campfire Headphase as an ambient album. Regardless, we’ve included it on our list of ambient albums for zoning out because it comes close to the genre through its downtempo leanings. It’s definitely more of an “acoustic” album, but the instruments are heavily treated. It’s an impressive mix of organic and electronic.

3. ‘October Language’ by Belong

Shoegaze duo Belong outdid themselves with the 2006 release October Language. A little bit ambient, a little bit noise, this record is a home studio masterpiece featuring the perfect curation of guitars, synths, and modules. If you prefer instrumental ambient music, this is an album to experience in full.

4. ‘If You’re Into It, I’m Out Of It’ by Christoph De Babalon

If You’re Into It, I’m Out Of It is Christoph De Babalon’s second album, and it’s a standout achievement. This dark ambient and breakcore album has a heavy atmosphere that you’d expect from dark ambient music but also features the early stylings of breakcore before it was really a thing. The record has since gained a bit of a cult following, and we think everyone should listen to it at least once.

5. ‘Tri Repetae’ by Autechre

Electronic duo Autechre released this stellar album back in 1995. It’s more or less a vintage piece of work today, but you can’t beat the ambient, IDM, and electronic vibe of this influential record. Tri Repetae is distinct and minimal, with a focus on rhythm and extremely detailed melodies. It’s not exactly unknown to the ambient crowd, but it definitely deserves to be known by those who aren’t entirely acquainted with the genre.

Photo courtesy of Christoph de Babalon’s Facebook page

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