When those deadlines loom, the last thing you need is someone sneezing in the library or a housemate EQing a kick drum in the room upstairs. We’ve all been there.
But don’t fret because music can be the answer. From classical symphonies to noir techno, we’ve collated some of the best Mixcloud shows guaranteed to help you knuckle down and concentrate on studying.
1. UTILITY
UTILITY is a series created by the team behind U T I L E, an art and design studio based in London. They literally describe their shows as “a mix series curated to increase productivity during creative activity”, with a forward-thinking blend of ambient, techno and electronica sounds. Not bad if you’re hitting writer’s block and you’re looking for some inspiration.
Follow U T I L E on Mixcloud.
2. Headphone Commute
Already one of the most popular shows on Mixcloud, Headphone Commute explores the fertile field of ambient and instrumental music. Each show is carefully curated, capturing meditative sounds and sonic journeys, which are the perfect solution to concentrating on whatever task is at hand.
Nominated in the 2017 Online Radio Awards.
Follow Headphone Commute on Mixcloud.
3. youarelistening.to on NTS
What happens when you mix ambient music with recordings of police scanner radios? The answer is youarelistening.to, a monthly show on London’s NTS Radio. Speech can be distracting when you’re trying to study, but these recordings have an uncanny ability to blend seamlessly with the music, creating a two hour long journey of cinematic sounds.
Nominated in the 2017 Online Radio Awards.
Follow NTS on Mixcloud.
4. MADONJAZZ
Born out of improvisation, jazz is now heralded as one of the most experimental forms of musical expression. Mixcloud boasts some of the best jazz curators in the world, one of which is MADONJAZZ, an independent radio show hosted by Thea & Mark G. They explore the world of deep jazz – the ideal soundtrack if you’re stuck when trying to come up with ideas and need to improvise.
Nominated in the 2015 and 2016 Online Radio Awards.
Follow MADONJAZZ on Mixcloud.
5. New Age Rage on Berlin Community Radio
A winner in this year’s Online Music Awards, New Age Rage delves into the darker side of ambient music. The show is arguably the most leftfield suggestion on this list, with some episodes veering through moody electronics and noir techno, but don’t let that put you off. Hosted on Berlin Community Radio, this show will introduce you to the darker side of meditative music and can give a fresh spin to your study sessions.
Winner in the 2017 Online Radio Awards.
Follow New Age Rage on Mixcloud.
6. Dubbel Dee
Hailing from Belgium, Dubbel Dee is a music aficionado who has been collecting records for over 25 years. He also happens to be one of the finest curators of jazz music on Mixcloud. Tune into any one of his ongoing shows, including Dubbel Dee & Friends, Collectiq 2.0 or Mo’Jazz, to hear a smart selection of music that is practically guaranteed to make you smarter.
Nominated in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Online Radio Awards.
Follow Dubbel Dee on Mixcloud.
7. Classique Classique
If you’re familiar with classical music then you might be aware of the ‘Mozart effect’, the idea that listening to Mozart’s music can in fact boost your brain power. Granted, the science might be dubious, but if Classique Classique’s weekly dose of Rimski-Korsakov, Stravinsky and Guillaume Connesson can make you think you’re smarter, then who are we to disagree?
Follow Classique Classique on Mixcloud.
8. DJ Dimsa
DJ Dimsa is on a mission, or more precisely put: ‘The Lounge Mission’. From deep jazzy house to rare grooves, Dimsa’s shows have now racked up millions of plays on Mixcloud, proving he’s a rare talent at crafting shows worthy of the finest lounges. More uptempo than others on this list, you’ll still find lots of house and disco you can get your head down to.
Follow DJ Dimsa on Mixcloud.
9. Cinambientique
Cinambientique is the birth child of Clemens Ruh, a composer and producer based in Germany. Over the years, Clemens established a reputation as one of the finest ambient curators on Mixcloud. Both his shows FRISSONWAVE and SOUNDWAVE regularly top the charts. If you’re stressed-out and you can’t concentrate, Cinambientique is here for you.
Winner in the 2015 Online Radio Awards.
Follow Cinambientique on Mixcloud.
10. Monday Morning Mixtape by Stamp The Wax
Already a weekly ritual for thousands of Mixcloud listeners, Stamp The Wax’s Monday Morning Mixtape offers some gentle encouragement at the start of a long week. Expect laidback vibes from guest selectors with a fine knowledge of world music. If you’re looking for something more upbeat than ambient, but downtempo enough for studying, then put a reminder in your diaries for the Monday Morning Mixtape.
Follow Stamp The Wax on Mixcloud.