Whenever you look online for relaxing music you will generally find instrumental albums or recordings of rain falling on a roof, the ocean’s waves lapping against the shore or a rainforest scene. For me however, relaxing music isn’t just a soothing sound, I like real music which has beautiful melodies and soft vocals, which help me to unwind after a long day. I have spent a lot of time searching for the right albums to do just that, and these are currently my favorites. If you are sick of hearing the sound of whales calling, try out these albums. 

Soul Quest – Misia 

Misia is a Japanese artist who a friend introduced me to and I just love her voice. Soul Quest is her 10th studio album and it is a great piece to listen to when you are in the mood for chilling out. The album can be considered very soulful and although it does have a slight darkness to it, the album on the whole has a musical, melodic and very sensual vibe to it. If you don’t know Misia then I’d advise you to check her out, and Soul Quest is my fave of the lot. 

Sigur Ros – Takk

For me Sigur Ros are one of the most amazing bands and whilst I have no idea what they are saying in their songs because they sing in Icelandic, the pieces are so amazing that it really doesn’t matter. Takk is an explosion of sound and jaw-dropping classical melodies which makes for the perfect relaxation album. This is an album which you will get lost inside and if you lay back and close your eyes, this album can transport you somewhere completely different entirely. 

Norah Jones – Come Away With Me

It came as no surprise whatsoever when this album went platinum in the US and it is still one of my favorite albums to this day. Norah Jones does subtlety better than anyone else and her raw vocals over soft piano and gently played instruments is an absolute joy to behold. From the title track Come Away With Me to ‘Don’t Know Why You Didn’t Come’ Norah Jones is sultry and sensitive and delivers these songs with delicacy and poise. This album will put you in a relaxing mood no matter what kind of day you have had. 

Air – Moon Safari 

This album became one of the most important of the Chill Out genre and that is why hit has to be on this list. The album was made to be a soft jazz piece by the French duo and what they created was easily the most relaxing album of all time. Beth Orton lends a hand here too on tracks like ‘Talisman’ and the sumptuous ‘ All I Need’ and the album really is something of a masterpiece. If you want to unwind and relax, this is the album which you are going to need. 

Give them a try and please let me know what you think. 

Jane