5 Albums That Make You Work

1. Yaeji – “WHAT WE DREW 우리가 그려왔던”

Best for Energizing workflow, structured planning, methodical tasks

Yaeji’s signature blend of lo-fi house beats, soft vocals, and deep grooves creates a productive yet laid-back atmosphere. The album provides just the right amount of movement to keep your brain engaged without feeling overwhelming.

Try it when You need a rhythmic yet soothing soundtrack to keep you moving through structured tasks.

2. Oklou – “choke enough”

Best for Creative flow, introspective work, brainstorming

This ethereal and atmospheric album blends dreamy synth textures with delicate vocal manipulations, creating a soundscape that feels both personal and expansive. The fluid nature of the music allows for seamless immersion into creative work without overwhelming your thoughts.

Try it when You need a soft, yet stimulating background for deep thinking and ideation.

3. Aphex Twin – “Selected Ambient Works 85-92”

Best for Deep focus, long work sessions, technical tasks

A masterpiece of ambient electronica, this album is a carefully woven collection of minimalist synth melodies and hypnotic rhythms. Its timeless, immersive quality makes it an excellent choice for coding, writing, or any task that requires sustained concentration.

Try it when You need a steady, non-intrusive background for long stretches of work.

4. Tycho – “Epoch”

Best for Fast-paced tasks, problem-solving, maintaining momentum

Tycho’s signature blend of ambient electronic and post-rock elements creates a flowing, motivational background that encourages productivity. “Epoch” is particularly well-suited for those moments when you need to power through high-energy tasks while keeping a clear head.

Try it when You need a dynamic, uplifting soundscape to help maintain focus.

5. Afrika Bambaataa – “1990-2000: The Decade of Darkness”

Best for Repetitive tasks, immersive work

This compilation of dark electronic and industrial sounds provides an immersive and hypnotic backdrop that helps sustain focus for long work sessions. The deep basslines and pulsating textures create a sense of intensity that can drive productivity without feeling intrusive.

Try it when You need a deep, moody atmosphere.

Final Chord

Why these albums? We’ve listened to a lot of different music while putting this list together. Some albums helped us focus, while others made us want to dance more than work. Why does this happen, and how exactly does different music affect our productivity?

We dove into these questions in our in-depth Soundtrack of Productivity breakdown.