What is New Age Music?
“Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons. You will find it is to the soul what a water bath is to the body.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
New age music is a very intriguing genre of music created with the intended purpose to be inspirational, relaxing and optimistic. This particularly tranquil genre became distinctive around the 1970’s and gained further traction and popularity in the two decades following. New age music was thought to be for hippies at one point in time, however, it has taken on a new meaning and is used and appreciated by a larger variety of people today. People involving themselves in more mindful practices are part of the resurgence of this genre.
For many people, new age music is a catalyst that helps them connect to their higher self and find inner peace. Because of the tranquility of this particular genre, it’s good for inner exploration and therapy. For some people, this genre is used as a way to calm the mind and lead the listener to a state of healing. For those who are open to it, new age music can be so much more than music.
New age music tends to be primarily instrumental, however, some do utilize vocals such as the song Return to Innocents by Enigma. What makes this particular genre unique is that it often times incorporates the sounds of nature such as the sounds of birds, waves, and wind.
New age music is a lovely expression of nature, music and artistic vision. Each song has something unique and beautiful to offer. As time goes on music will continue to grow and change. It’s interesting to see those changes manifest and how those manifestations impact the lives of all who listen.