Apr 15th, 2025

A personal selection of ambient tracks, with reflections on each, as curated by Heaven 17 & Honeyroot frontman Glenn Gregory.

Listen on Spotify.

1. The Future – Blank Clocks

This is an early electronic recording by my friends just before they became The Human League. We had been experimenting with electronic music in the mid-1970s, and this is one of the tracks that became the album The Golden Hour of the Future.

In a world full of sound and sounds, it might seem counterintuitive to play music to find space and calm, but that’s the beauty of an ambient track—it can transport you to an inner world where thoughts can wander and ideas can grow from an undiscovered, shadowy place.

2. David Bowie – Art Decade

From the album Low—one of my favourite Bowie albums. It features a few instrumental tracks that really do fit the term ambient. Of course, the very Lord of Ambient, Eno, collaborated on this album. I think it shows.

I don’t know if everyone has an inner dialogue, but I certainly do. My brain is constantly in conversation with itself. Sometimes my mouth joins in, and when I’m alone in the studio, I can admit to quite often talking to myself, even answering myself—and on occasion, arguing with myself. I find headphones and a curated playlist of ambient music can calm these situations and give me some peace, quieting my thoughts to a low hum.

3. Brian Eno – An Ending (Ascent)

So sublimely simple, yet it can transport you effortlessly to another world, another time, another universe. Headphones on, close your eyes… ladies and gentlemen, we are floating in space.

4. The Human League – The Dignity of Labour (Part 3)

A track from the instrumental album The Dignity of Labour Parts 1–4. Again, The Human League at their electronic best—early ambient. I love all four parts of this piece, but I think part 3 is my favourite movement. By all means, listen to all four—you won’t be disappointed.

The lack of recognisable structure and the repetition of movement are what allow ambient music to lull your senses into a calmer, more peaceful state. And we can all use a more peaceful state of mind.

5. Ludovico Einaudi & Robert Ziegler – Primavera

It’s not all electronica. So beautiful. Such wonderful cinematic pictures for your soul.

Ambient is… escapism, space, peace, an empty canvas.

6. A Winged Victory for the Sullen – Minuet for a Cheap Piano

Seems so simple, but this stripped-down beauty is not so easy to create. This mood is precious and beautiful.

For me, music is cinematic. The pictures it creates can be totally unique and personal. And just occasionally, the pictures and music that have been created to go together do so, so well—it’s almost heavenly.

7. Vangelis – Love Theme (Blade Runner)

A beautiful marriage of cinema and composition. I think this film and Taxi Driver are the best soundtracks that fit perfectly with the narrative and pictures.

While often seemingly simple, ambient music often features subtle, intricate layers that reward contemplative, attentive exploration. Close your eyes, open your ears, and dive in.

8. Nils Frahm – Some

Emotional depth from the heart. A language so well spoken.

Ambience blurs the lines between music and noise, freeing choice to a more experimental approach to composition.

9. Hildur Guðnadóttir – 12 Hours Before

Filmic beauty at its darkest and most beautiful.

This music can reduce stress and anxiety. It’s really good for you—trust me, I’m almost a doctor.

10. Miles Davis – Générique

From the film Ascenseur pour l’échafaud, a beautiful soundtrack by Miles Davis. The perfect balance of melancholy, tranquility, and loss. I’m convinced it’s ambient music.

Ambient music is not without its thematic intent, of course.

11. Brian Eno – Taking Tiger Mountain

I love this album, and this is the title track. I think I’ll have this played at my funeral.

It’s more about atmosphere and emotion—it’s like breathing. You can just let it happen; it finds its own way.

12. Nine Inch Nails – 13 Ghosts

From strength comes beauty. From complexity grows simplicity.

Music influences behaviour. It engages the brain’s emotional centres through the modulation of neurotransmitters like dopamine… that’s dope.

13. Thomas Newman – Any Other Name

Really fucking beautiful. I think I’m running out of thoughts—I’m going to have a coffee.

Music banishes boredom. Ambient music banishes fear. The coffee is working.

14. Zero 7 – Out of Town

Such a clearly painted picture, all done with music.

15. Goldmund – Finding It There

Lost to sleep and dreams.

16. Honeyroot – Nobody Loves You

Is it cheating to add your own track to a playlist? Is it a bit nepo baby? Ah well, sod it—it’s my favourite Honeyroot track, and it’s going on the list.

You can turn this one up loud. Sonically, very sexy.

17. Honeyroot – Losing My Mind

One of the first Honeyroot tracks we recorded. It’s almost naive, but it catches and holds a mood.

There are more tracks. There are so many more. Go and investigate—it’s such a beautiful thing to do.