Molly Ayala
New-age music is a genre of music intended to inspire creativity, relaxation, and optimism. It is commonly used as background music for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading, as well as for stress management and the creation of a peaceful atmosphere. The genre is defined more by its use, effect, and purpose than by the instruments used in its creation and may be acoustic, electronic, or a combination of both. New-age music frequently features sustained synth pads or long sequencer-based runs, and artists often blend these techniques to create electroacoustic music. While new-age music is often associated with environmentalism and New Age spirituality, most artists in the genre are not linked to New Age spirituality and some even reject the term.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Relaxation, artistic inspiration, optimism, meditation, yoga, massage, reading, stress management, peaceful atmosphere |
| Instruments | Piano, acoustic guitar, flute, harp, sitar, tabla, tamboura, electronic musical instruments, sustained synth pads, sequencers, synthesizers, electric wind instruments, stringed acoustic instruments, electro-acoustic instruments, vocal and wind instruments |
| Overlap with other genres | Ambient, classical, jazz, electronica, world, chillout, pop, space music, progressive rock |
| Artists | Tony Scott, Paul Horn, Irv Teibel, Steven Halpern, Mike Oldfield, Mannheim Steamroller, Jean-Michel Jarre, Paul Winter, David Lanz, Yanni, Bradley Joseph, Andreas Vollenweider, Ray Lynch, Michael Stearns, Nina Hagen, Steve Roach, Suzanne Ciani, George Winston, Patrick O'Hearn, Mark Isham, Jonn Serrie, Kitaro, Lyle Mays, Scott D. Davis, Alex De Grassi, Billy Joe Walker Jr., Eddie Fowlkes, Kurtis Mantronik, Joyce Sims, Anthony Rother, Dave Clarke |
| Other features | Electro-acoustic, electronic, vocal, ambient, electro-soul, soulful male vocals, hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, synthetic beats, robotic textures, minimal or electronically processed vocals, vocoders, talkboxes |
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What You'll Learn
New Age Music and Spirituality
New age music is a genre of music intended to inspire artistic creativity, relaxation, and optimism in its listeners. It is often used as background music for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading, aiding in stress management and creating a peaceful atmosphere. The genre is known for its soothing and atmospheric soundscapes, usually created using a variety of instruments and sound effects.
The roots of new age music can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s, with Tony Scott's "Music for Zen Meditation" (1964) considered the first new-age recording. The early 1970s electronic music of Jean-Michel Jarre also influenced the development of the genre. New age music has significant overlap with other genres, including ambient, classical, jazz, electronica, world, chillout, pop, and space music.
While the term "new age" is often used to describe this genre, some musicians and critics argue that it is a vague and commercial label that does not accurately represent the diverse nature of the music. The borders of this umbrella genre are blurry, and music retailers may categorize artists as "new age" even if they belong to different genres.
Despite the debate around the label, new age music is closely associated with the New Age spiritual movement of the 1970s. Adherents of this philosophy believe in oneness with the earth and peaceful coexistence. Musicians creating new age music often try to capture these sentiments through their compositions, using a variety of instruments and sound effects to create a calming and atmospheric listening experience.
Some musicians, however, distinguish their work from the spiritual movement bearing the same name. They view "new age" as a spiritual definition rather than a musical one and prefer different labels for their style of music.
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Electronic Performers of New Age Music
New Age music is broadly defined as relaxing, meditative music that is primarily instrumental. It is intended to create a peaceful atmosphere and is used by listeners for yoga, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management. The genre is defined more by the use and effect or feeling it produces rather than the instruments and genre used in its creation. It may be acoustic, electronic, or a mixture of both.
The German group Enigma, the American musician Suzanne Ciani, and the Japanese recording artist Kitaro have all placed electronics at the core of their new-age compositions. Other notable electronic artists within the genre include Jean-Michel Jarre, whose early 1970s electronic music helped establish the motion towards this sound, and Steven Halpern, whose 1975 Spectrum Suite was a key work that began the new-age music movement.
Some musicians object to the "new age" label because they fear it implies a connection to the New Age movement. For example, Yanni has distinguished the music genre from the spiritual movement bearing the same name.
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New Age Music and Yoga
New-age music is a genre of music intended to inspire artistic creativity, promote relaxation, and foster optimism. It is often used as background music during yoga, massage, meditation, and reading, creating a peaceful atmosphere. The genre is defined more by its use and the feelings it evokes rather than the instruments used in its creation. New-age music can be acoustic, electronic, or a blend of both. It may feature instruments such as flutes, piano, acoustic guitar, non-Western acoustic instruments, sustained synth pads, and sequencers. Vocal arrangements were initially rare, but as the genre evolved, vocals became more common, especially those featuring Native American or Sanskrit influences.
The origins of new-age music can be traced back to the 1960s and 1970s, with Tony Scott's "Music for Zen Meditation" (1964) considered the first new-age recording. Irv Teibel's "Environments" series (1969-1979) featured natural soundscapes and "Om" chants, further shaping the genre. The 1970s also saw the rise of electronic music and ambient soundscapes, with artists like Jean-Michel Jarre contributing to the new-age sound. Steven Halpern's "Spectrum Suite" (1975) is considered a key work that solidified the new-age movement.
The 1980s marked a significant period for new-age music, with the genre gaining popularity and artists experimenting with advanced digital technology. This decade saw the release of influential albums such as Ray Lynch's "The Sky of Mind," Michael Stearns's "Planetary Unfolding," and Steve Roach's "Now." However, in the 1990s, the genre's popularity declined, partly due to the bankruptcy of Private Music, a leading record label in the electronic new-age genre.
New-age music is often associated with alternative spiritual practices, including yoga, meditation, guided meditation, and chakra auditing. The music is designed to be repetitive in dynamics and texture, avoiding sudden loud chords or improvisation that could disrupt the listener's focus during these practices. It is worth noting that while new-age music is sometimes linked to New Age spirituality, many artists do not associate themselves with this movement and may even reject the term.
The term "new-age music" has been the subject of debate, with some considering it a commercial label rather than a distinct musical genre. Critics argue that it is a broad designation used to market and sell records, encompassing a diverse range of styles, including jazz, folk, rock, classical, and electronica. Despite this debate, new-age music continues to find a dedicated audience, particularly among those seeking relaxation, inspiration, and a sense of peace in their daily lives.
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The Evolution of Electro
The Emergence of Electronic Music
The roots of electro can be traced back to the late 19th century when the first electronic musical devices were crafted. However, it was in the 1920s and 1930s that electronic instruments truly began to emerge and find their way into compositions. The theremin, ondes Martenot, and trautonium were among the first commercially available electronic instruments, often used within orchestras. During the 1940s, magnetic audio tape revolutionized music production, allowing musicians to tape and modify sounds, leading to the birth of electroacoustic tape music in Egypt and France.
The Rise of Synthesizers and Electronic Genres
The 1970s witnessed a significant shift with the introduction of synthesizers and drum machines, marking the rise of synthesized electronic music. Artists like Wendy Carlos, Vangelis, and Stevie Wonder created groundbreaking electronic works. This decade also saw the emergence of genres such as disco, krautrock, synth-pop, and hip-hop, paving the way for electronic dance music (EDM). Jean-Michel Jarre's electronic music during this period also influenced the nascent new-age scene.
The Birth of Electro
In the early 1980s, electro emerged as musicians embraced electronic instruments to recreate the structure and feel of funk. The invention of the Roland TR-808 drum machine in 1980 was pivotal, as it allowed artists to program their own rhythms. Electro fused funk, hip-hop, and electropop, resulting in club-ready tracks with bumping bass lines. "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa is considered a classic example of this new genre. The electro rhythm typically features a syncopated kick drum paired with a snare or electronic handclap, and minimal to non-existent vocals.
New Age Music's Electronic Influence
New age music, often associated with relaxation and spiritual practices, also underwent an electronic evolution. While it initially featured acoustic instruments and nature sounds, new age music increasingly incorporated electronic synthesizers. Artists like Suzanne Ciani, Kitaro, and Enigma built their compositions on electronic foundations. The term ""space music" was sometimes used to describe this atmospheric, electronic style.
Technological Advancements and Mainstream Popularity
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw further technological advancements, with mass-produced digital synthesizers and the development of MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface). Electronic music became an integral part of popular culture, with large-scale festivals celebrating the genre. Today, electronic music continues to evolve and fuse with other genres, such as techno and ambient, gaining popularity worldwide.
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Neo Electro
Neo-Electro, also referred to simply as "Electro", is a genre of music that emerged in the 1980s as a revival of the earlier electronic music of artists like Jean-Michel Jarre and Steven Halpern. The genre is characterised by the use of synthesizers and electronic instruments to create a unique sound that builds upon the foundations laid by its predecessors.
The roots of Neo-Electro can be traced back to the 1970s with the emergence of electronic music and the influence of artists such as Jean-Michel Jarre and Steven Halpern, who is credited with releasing one of the first definitive new-age albums, "Spectrum Suite", in 1976. This set the stage for the development of Neo-Electro in the following decade.
In the 1980s, the genre began to take off, with artists such as Drexciya, Underground Resistance, and Ectomorph from Detroit, and Jedi Knights, Tusken Raiders, Plaid, and Gescom from Britain, leading the way. These artists blended the classic electro sound with new elements, creating intelligent and innovative music that resonated with audiences.
While the electro revival as a British club trend was short-lived, it laid the groundwork for further exploration and innovation. Labels such as Skam, Musik Aus Strom, and Dot built upon the electro foundation, incorporating heavy electro influences into their productions and pushing the genre forward.
Neo-Electro, as a genre, showcases the evolution of electronic music, embracing technological advancements and creative experimentation. It reflects the diverse and dynamic nature of music, where artists continuously draw inspiration from the past while pushing the boundaries of sound, influencing and being influenced by other genres such as new-age music.
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Frequently asked questions
New-age music is broadly defined as relaxing, meditative music that is primarily instrumental. It is intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management.
New-age music can be created with acoustic instruments, electronic instruments, or a mixture of both. Acoustic instruments include classical-music instruments such as the piano, acoustic guitar, flute, or harp, as well as non-Western acoustic instruments such as the sitar, tabla, and tamboura. Electronic instruments used in new-age music include synthesizers, keyboards, and electric wind instruments.
Some early examples of new-age music include Tony Scott's "Music for Zen Meditation" (1964), Jean-Michel Jarre's early 1970s electronic music, and Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" (1973). Leading electronic performers of new-age music in the 1980s included Patrick O'Hearn, Mark Isham, Jonn Serrie, Suzanne Ciani, Kitaro, Michael Stearns, Vangelis, Steve Roach, and Lyle Mays. More recent examples of new-age music can be found on meditation music channels on YouTube.
