What is New Age Music?

27th December, 2021
Blog Post #68

New Age music is a genre of music that can be heard all over the world, but many people do not know what it is. New Age music or modern inspirational music refers to a contemporary type of instrumental and electronic music which is a fusion of a wide variety of genres. It combines elements from diverse musical origins to form a coherent stylistic whole. This type of music seeks to create an ideal environment where the listener can relax, escape from reality or connect with their inner being.

This genre can also be defined as the pieces that are influenced by or that attempt to create an atmosphere similar to that of the first space age. The genre first appeared in the United States during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was intended to provide an alternative to traditional music types like pop, blues, or country through instrumentation or through electronic content. It also provides sounds beyond the commonly thought boundaries of classifications like electronic, classical, rock, world, rap, jazz, and many others.

We often use the terms “new age music” and “instrumental music” as if they were interchangeable, but there is a distinct difference between the two. New-age music is instrumental music that tends to occupy the slow end of a musical tempo range. It is referred to like this because it came into prominence during the “new age” movement of the 1980s, which emphasized self-help and spiritual growth through the study of world religions. This genre is often used in therapies to help patients get in touch with their feelings, center themselves, and find clarity.

It has slowly emerged as a global phenomenon that has influenced the musical culture of many cultures. It is often referred to as an ethereal genre owing to its unique combination of ambient sounds and tonal qualities that not only captivate the audience but also leave a strong impact on their minds that lasts even after it ends. Unlike other genres, this music does not have lyrics and is composed to stimulate the mind not by verbal communication but by audial communication.

To sum it up, New Age is a genre of music intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is intended for background music, although it may also be used as foreground music. In the 2000s, new age music was a label for a wide variety of styles of music from different periods. The label was applied to music that was played on radio stations that were already labeled as easy listening or adult contemporary. The styles include both electronic and acoustic forms of instrumental and vocal music. Sitar and violin are examples of instruments that have been used in this kind of music. New-age music has been used as background music at spas, yoga classes, and self-help groups.