ambient
what it is
Ambient music is a musical genre that is generally identifiable as being broadly atmospheric and environmental in nature. Ambient music evolved from early 20th century forms of semi-audible music, from the impressionism of Erik Satie, through "musique concrete" and the minimalism of Terry Riley and Philip Glass, and Brian Eno's deliberate sub-audible approach. Later developments found the dreamy non-linear elements of ambient music applied to some forms of rhythmic music presented in chill-out rooms at raves and other dance events, but always with the primary feature that the music is intended to drift in and out of the listener's awareness while creating its effect on the listener's consciousness.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 1 · mainstream
the pop everyone knows
level 2 · the door
big names with a sharper edge
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make ambient a playlist
turn these 38 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is ambient?
Ambient music is a musical genre that is generally identifiable as being broadly atmospheric and environmental in nature. Ambient music evolved from early 20th century forms of semi-audible music, from the impressionism of Erik Satie, through "musique concrete" and the minimalism of Terry Riley and Philip Glass, and Brian Eno's deliberate sub-audible approach. Later developments found the dreamy non-linear elements of ambient music applied to some forms of rhythmic music presented in chill-out rooms at raves and other dance events, but always with the primary feature that the music is intended to drift in and out of the listener's awareness while creating its effect on the listener's consciousness.
What are good ambient albums to start with?
Try Minecraft - Volume Alpha by C418, Selected Ambient Works Volume II by Aphex Twin, Geogaddi by Boards of Canada, and Untrue by Burial.
Who are some women making ambient?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/ambient/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making ambient, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-20