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The exam season has started. As a student you are probably dreading the deadlines, deeply engaged in studying, and buried under tons of books. Our music reviewer has selected 10 songs that will slow your heart rate, help you relax, and improve your concentration
Being stuck inside studying, while the sun shines outside your window, might just feel a little bit better to the tunes of this TOP 10. Our music reviewer cooked up an eclectic playlist that will satisfy your end-of term desires. People under stress will become more relaxed and concentrated thanks to this selection of songs ranging from 1964 to 2012. So, turn up the volume, lean back and enjoy! Who said studying can’t be fun?
French composer of film music, Philippe Sarde was nominated for an Oscar in 1981 for best music but escaped the statuette, ousted by Michael Gore. String instruments (guitars and violins) accompanied the main theme in a moving and melancholic way.
This group from Reykjavik is one of the major groups of the current post-rock scene. ‘Hoppípolla’ is absolutely great, this music really sends you. The song has been broadcasted a lot on TV spots and cinema trailers such as the trailer of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.
‘A Shot In The Dark’ released in 1964 is the second film of the Pink Panther series directed by Blake Edwards. The theme of the soundtrack is influenced by swing and use a melodic harmonium. During his career, Mancini won 20 Grammy Awards, 4 Academy Awards and one Golden Globe.
Another Canadian of the playlist, Caribou released ‘Irene’ , a soothing and floating song from the album ‘Andorra’ which won the Polaris Music Prize in 2008 in Canada. Two years later, he repeated the success with ‘Swim’, that can be described as psychedelic electro-pop.
Klezmer music is originated from Jewish communities in Eastern Europe. The rhythmic is particularly grooving thanks to the percussion instruments. Yom adds a subtle touch of electro rock in this song, keeping his clarinet as the main instrument.
This sample taken from Moondog, is made with a lively house beat. ‘Get A Move On’ enabled Mr Scruff to acquire a reputation beyond British borders. He released this song on Ninja Tune, the famous electronic label from London, 30 years after the original one, ‘Bird’s Lament’, composed in 1969 .
Philip Glass is one of the pioneers of minimalist music. In this song which comes from the opera Akhnaten written in 1983, a soprano voice provides an emotional accompaniment. He was inspired by the life and religious convictions of the pharaoh Akhenaton.
Member of the Berlin band ‘Jacoozi’, he is renowned for his sophisticated electronic recordings. ‘Hard To Find’ is probably one of his proudest accomplishments. A cleverly mixing of dub, electronic and hip hop.
You may have heard this mysterious tune in the film The Social Network. Actually, the original song is from a masterpiece of Norwegian Edvard Grieg called Peer Gynt. In 2011, ‘The Social Network’ received the Golden Globe and the Oscar for best film soundtrack.
‘BadBadNotGood’ are three Canadians who work closely with rapper ‘Tyler The Creator’ . Here, they took over the Kanye West song, adding an original jazzy keyboard. It’s a real success. At just 20 years old, they have the ability to reach incredible heights in improvisation.
Do you prefer all the songs in one go? Listen to the whole playlist on our youtube channel here.
Liked what you heard? Stay tuned for more of David’s playlists on our site.
universitypost@adm.ku.dk
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