What is the worlds most relaxing song?

MARCONI UNION — WEIGHTLESS

“Marconi Union have steadily released albums of pristine, clinical electronic music over the last decade. continuing to refine their art in minimalist fashion and placing MU firmly in the vanguard of acts making

Atmospheric, ambient music” — Music OMH

In the realms of modern day late night ambient exploration Manchester’s Marconi Union often draw comparisons with Brian Eno and Biosphere, perhaps Sigur Ros, but the graceful manner with which their richly melodic compositions unfold and the emotion these evoke sets them apart from their peers. Since their 2003 debut album, ‘Under Wires and Searchlights’, they have continually refined and developed a unique musical identity that seamlessly blends elements of dub, jazz, ambience and electronic music. Their music straddles the worlds of artistic credibility and musical accessibility and tracks from previous albums have been selected as the beautiful backdrop to television commercials, drama and documentary films worldwide and to accompany art installations, theatre and ballet.

“If an electronic track can be a limpid pool, this one is. Not a ripple touches the surface, not a single speck of dust clouds the glassy stillness. Weightless the album contains five more similarly translucently gorgeous tracks” The Sunday Times

“An ethereal sense of eternally free flowing dimensions. worth the wait” DJ Mag 8/10

“Two years after [Weightless] was declared ‘the most relaxing tune ever’ they’ve delivered five further, equally calming, pieces worthy of men once asked to remaster the Eno’s back catalogue” Uncut 8/10

For Marconi Union, the inspiration for their new album came after they were commissioned to collaborate with a sound therapist from the British Academy of Sound Therapy and write a piece of relaxing music, the first “Weightless” track. The plan was that the track would then be scientifically tested for it’s effectiveness. The prospect of being involved in this unusual project proved to be highly alluring and the Union quickly agreed to take part. When “Weightless” was tested at the Mindlab Institute scientists reported that their research indicated that the music slowed the heart rate, reduced blood pressure and decreased levels of cortisol, a steroid hormone that is released in response to stress. When the research was made public there was an instant and intense media reaction, with many newspapers, radio stations and television shows picking up on the claims that ”Weightless» was “the most relaxing song, ever!” one national newspaper even warned motorists not to listen to the track while driving. Appositely, the track even earned the track the accolade of being named as one of the «Best Inventions of the Year» in Time Magazine.

During the process of recording ”Weightless”, a number of musical ideas captured MU’s imagination and unable to explore them all in a one piece they decided to make more music using the same approach. It soon became apparent that this was turning into an album-length work and it was decided that this album should become part of their Ambient Transmissions series.

The new album comprises six tracks, simply entitled Part 1 to Part 6. The tracks are minimal, combining warm drones and drifting sounds with occasional sparse rhythms. Part 1 is the original “Weightless” track, which almost appears to have a heartbeat running through it, slowing down very gently throughout the piece, encouraging a deep sense of relaxation in the body, it’s use of specific rhythms, deep bass tones, frequencies and intervals inducing an almost trance like state in the listener. It has already attracted over 12 million worldwide views on YouTube and 5 million followers on Soundcloud. A recent posting about the track on the Mind Unleashed (following of 4.5 million) attracted nearly 16,000 likes and 13,000 shares – the interest in this track is phenomenal!

Marconi Union have also just launched an online installation for Weightless developed in cross collaboration with web developer Raleigh Green with the Marina Abrabmovic Institute.

“It sounds as though sleepless nights could be a thing of the past thanks to Marconi Union. They have created a song they called Weightless which has become, officially, the most relaxing song ever. That is the verdict of the boffins who say that its sustaining rhythm, the harmonic intervals, the absence of a repeated melody and the use of “whooshing sounds and hums” all combine to make the perfect aural narcoleptic. It is so effective drivers are being warned not to put it on the car stereo.” The Telegraph

“It’s top of the popzzz. Is this the most relaxing song to fall asleep to? Check it out for yourself. Lyz Cooper, founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy, said “It is ideal for unwinding after a stressful day” The Sun

“Weightless, by Manchester trio Marconi Union, is officially the most relaxing song ever” The People

“More relaxing than a massage, walk or cup of tea. Forget hot baths, yoga classes and wacky spa treatments – the best way to chillout is to listen to music. But not just any old track. Musicians have composed the world’s most relaxing song – and it doesn’t include whale sounds or panpipes” The Daily Mail

“Stress relief in a song” Daily Express

«Music and sound therapists have done some brilliant work using music to treat patients. With the more active approach that Marconi Union has demonstrated here, how might music therapist be better able to meet the needs of their patients?” Music Sparks

“A lovely slice of ambience that is a fine example of Marconi Union at their dreamy somnambulistic best” Opus.fm

The most relaxing song EVER?Scientifically proven to help you relax and sleep.

«British ambient band Marconi Union has drummed up the world’s most relaxing song: Weightless. aural bliss» Time Magazine No.11- Best Inventions of the Year
«Marconi Union are amongst today’s most talented musicians» Sunday Times
«Marconi Union have steadily released albums of pristine, clinical electronic music over the last decade. continuing to refine their art in minimalist fashion and placing MU firmly in the vanguard of acts making
atmospheric, ambient music» — Music OMH
In the realms of modern day late night ambient exploration Manchester’s Marconi Union often draw comparisons with Brian Eno and Biosphere, perhaps Sigur Ros, but the graceful manner with which their richly melodic compositions unfold and the emotion these evoke sets them apart from their peers. Since their 2003 debut album, ‘Under Wires and Searchlights’, they have continually refined and developed a unique musical identity that seamlessly blends elements of dub, jazz, ambience and electronic music. Their music straddles the worlds of artistic credibility and musical accessibility and tracks from previous albums have been selected as the beautiful backdrop to television commercials, drama and documentary films worldwide and to accompany art installations, theatre and ballet.

Monday 22nd September sees the much anticipated release of this iconic band’s 7th studio album, Weightless ( Ambient Transmissions Vol 2).

«If an electronic track can be a limpid pool, this one is. Not a ripple touches the surface, not a single speck of dust clouds the glassy stillness. Weightless the album contains five more similarly translucently gorgeous tracks» The Sunday Times
«An ethereal sense of eternally free flowing dimensions. worth the wait» DJ Mag 8/10
«Two years after [Weightless] was declared ‘the most relaxing tune ever’ they’ve delivered five further, equally calming, pieces worthy of men once asked to remaster the Eno’s back catalogue» Uncut 8/10

Watch the video here : Marconi Union Weightless (Ambient Transmissions Vol 2) Official Video . This is what the talented young director, Ritchie Johnston, has to say about the astonishingly beautiful video made using a geological drone :

‘As I listened to the track I was captivated by the way the song slowly developed. The melodies were very gradual and captivating so I decided it was important that the video remained as one continuous shot, subtly interacting with the progression of the track. After discussion with the band we settled on using a digital tech-nique I have been developing recently. It draws inspiration from photographic studies pioneered by Eadweard Muybridge in the late 1880s. His studies were used to map a sequence of movements that are unperceivable to the naked eye. After experimenting with a range of different subject matter I settled on the idea of using a drone. Its primary function is in aerial mapping and geological surveys, however its grace in the air and precise flight capabilities made it the ideal subject for the shoot. I choreographed a three dimensional aerial ballet for the craft to perform in conjunction with the track «Weightless». Orchestrating the routine together proved challenging as I was using a technique that revealed unperceivable patterns which I was unable to fully comprehend until the project was finally finished’

For Marconi Union, the inspiration for their new album came after they were commissioned to col-laborate with a sound therapist from the British Academy of Sound Therapy and write a piece of relaxing music, the first «Weightless» track. The plan was that the track would then be scientifically tested for it’s effectiveness. The prospect of being involved in this unusual project proved to be highly alluring and the Union quickly agreed to take part. When «Weightless» was tested at the Mindlab Institute scientists reported that their research indicated that the music slowed the heart rate, reduced blood pressure and decreased levels of cortisol, a steroid hormone that is released in response to stress. When the research was made public there was an instant and intense media reaction, with many newspapers, radio stations and television shows picking up on the claims that «Weightless» was «the most relaxing song, ever!» one national newspaper even warned motorists not to listen to the track while driving. Appositely, the track even earned the track the accolade of being named as one of the «Best Inventions of the Year» in Time Magazine.

During the process of recording «Weightless», a number of musical ideas captured MU’s imagina-tion and unable to explore them all in a one piece they decided to make more music using the same approach. It soon became apparent that this was turning into an album-length work and it was decided that this album should become part of their Ambient Transmissions series.

The new album comprises six tracks, simply entitled Part 1 to Part 6. The tracks are minimal, com-bining warm drones and drifting sounds with occasional sparse rhythms. Part 1 is the original «Weightless» track, which almost appears to have a heartbeat running through it, slowing down very gently throughout the piece, encouraging a deep sense of relaxation in the body, it’s use of specific rhythms, deep bass tones, frequencies and intervals inducing an almost trance like state in the listener. It has already attracted over 12 million worldwide views on YouTube and 5 million followers on Soundcloud. A recent posting about the track on the Mind Unleashed (following of 4.5 million) attracted nearly 16,000 likes and 13,000 shares — the interest in this track is phenomenal!

Marconi Union have also just launched an online installation for Weightless developed in cross col-laboration with web developer Raleigh Green with the Marina Abrabmovic Institute.
Read the interview

‘Weightless’:
«It sounds as though sleepless nights could be a thing of the past thanks to Marconi Union. They have created a song they called Weightless which has become, officially, the most relaxing song ever. That is the verdict of the boffins who say that its sustaining rhythm, the harmonic intervals, the absence of a repeated melody and the use of «whooshing sounds and hums» all combine to make the perfect aural narcoleptic. It is so effective drivers are being warned not to put it on the car stereo.» The Telegraph

«It’s top of the popzzz. Is this the most relaxing song to fall asleep to? Check it out for yourself. Lyz Cooper, founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy, said «It is ideal for unwinding after a stressful day» The Sun

«Weightless, by Manchester trio Marconi Union, is officially the most relaxing song ever» The People

«More relaxing than a massage, walk or cup of tea. Forget hot baths, yoga classes and wacky spa treatments — the best way to chillout is to listen to music. But not just any old track. Musicians have composed the world’s most relaxing song — and it doesn’t include whale sounds or panpipes» The Daily Mail

«Stress relief in a song» Daily Express

«Music and sound therapists have done some brilliant work using music to treat patients. With the more active approach that Marconi Union has demonstrated here, how might music therapist be better able to meet the needs of their patients?» Music Sparks

«A lovely slice of ambience that is a fine example of Marconi Union at their dreamy somnambulistic best» Opus.fm

Here is a soundcloud link for the track and the album.

Scientists discover the ‘world’s most relaxing song’ – but warn not to listen to it while driving

The song can even make people so relaxed, they become drowsy and may even fall asleep.

Emily Sergeant — 9th December 2022

After lots of extensive research, a new study has officially discovered what is claimed to be the “most relaxing song” in the world.

And now, they’re warning motorists not to listen to it behind the wheel.

The song, which is titled Weightless by Marconi Union, has been found to reduce blood pressure, slow the heart rate, decrease levels of cortisol – also known as the stress hormone – and can even make people so relaxed, they become drowsy and can even fall asleep, according to the study by shower gel brand Radox Spa.

Not only that, but the eight-minute piece of music was even found to be more relaxing than heading out for a walk, having a massage, or sipping a cup of tea.

During the research project, a group of participating women were given puzzles to complete in an allotted amount of time in order to increase their stress levels, and then, after completing the puzzles, they were played a number of different songs to essentially calm them down.

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While the songs were being played, the participants’ heart rates, blood pressure, and breathing were monitored by scientists.

Once all the research was complete, the study eventually found that ‘Weightless’ was 11% more effective than the other songs – with a reduction in anxiety levels by 65%, and even making some of the participants “drowsy”.

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“The results clearly show that the track induced the greatest relaxation,” explained Dr David Lewis-Hodgson, who conducted the research.

“Brain imaging studies have shown that music works at a very deep level within the brain, stimulating not only those regions responsible for processing sound, but also ones associated with emotions, and in fact, Weightless was so effective, many women became drowsy.”

Due to the drowsy nature of the song, Dr Lewis-Hodgson said he would “advise against driving while listening to the song” as he believes it could be “dangerous.”

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The reason the song is so relaxing, though, isn’t quite as coincidental as it may initially seem.

The band actually admitted to working with sound therapists on the track, and used pianos, guitars, chimes, and buddhist chants to create the melody.

Speaking on how the song was created, Lyz Cooper – founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy – added: “The song makes use of many musical principles that have been shown to individually have a calming effect, and by combining these elements in the way Marconi Union have, has created the perfect relaxing song.

“The study found this to be the world’s most relaxing song.”

Ms Cooper explained that the song is so relaxing as it contains a sustaining rhythm that starts at 60 beats per minute and gradually slows to around 50, so while listening to it, your heart rate gradually comes to match that beat – which is known as entrainment.

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She also explained that the duration of the song being eight minutes in length is “important” as it generally takes about five minutes for this process to occur.

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On top of that, Ms Cooper also added that the songs has no repeating melody throughout, which essentially allows your brain to completely switch off because you are no longer trying to predict what is coming next.

Fancy seeing what the crack is then? You can listen to it here – but just not in the car.

Featured Image – Fausto Sandoval (via Unsplash)