This music contained in this post is great for background listening. I prefer music without lyrics generally, since I mostly listen to music while at work, coding (I’m an IT developer). Specifically, I prefer video game soundtracks, since the music is generally made to be listened to on repeat, without being invasive

I don’t really listen to albums anymore, there’s too much good music out there, I don’t want to spend my valuable time repeat-listening to an album until I like it, effectively learning to like it.

Maybe it’s a sign of the times, but I’d rather listen to the BEST songs by multiple artists instead of all the songs by one artist.

This change came about after stumbling on radio.garden, a website which allows you to listen to radio stations all around the world, like Plastic radio (Sydney, AUS) or Leproradio (Yekaterinburg, RUS). They did not sponsor this post.

NOTE: You’ve maybe heard the Oblivion OST, so it won’t be featured here. Let’s begin!

Boogiepop Phantom OST

Boogiepop Phantom is a weird anime, it’s kinda scary and messed up. I never finished it, though it’s short.

The OST on the other hand, is 90’s fringe electronic music. It’s really good to groove to, the songs are great, except for a couple (you’ll know which ones). The OST goes through many different moods, from cozy ambient to upbeat dark electronica (well, mostly upbeat dark electronica).

Sample: Not an upbeat dark electronica song

Silent Hill 2 OST

The KING of cozy dread music, the Silent Hill 2 OST has nostalgic guitar melodies and industrial, drone-y songs, nothing in between.

I’ve never played the game, but DID watch an entire playthrough of it because the soundtrack was so good. Don’t do it, it’s not a very fun game to watch a playthrough of, it has a lot of obtuse puzzles in it.

Sample: If this doesn’t hook you don’t bother with the rest

Sim City 4 OST

Now this soundtrack is guaranteed to boost #productivity by almost 15%! It’s all upbeat background music, if that makes sense. It sounds like concentration and firing synapses ie. it sounds like city planning.

The best part is that it’s long!! This OST should hold you until lunch at the very least! And look at that cover!! Doesn’t it make you want to live in a neo-gothic metropolis?????

Sample: My favourite track. It’s jazzy.

Spice and Wolf OST

This music is from one of my favorite animes, though I couldn’t tell you why, other than that the character designs are great. I also really like economics? You can easily imagine this music accompanying a medieval harvest festival.

It’s good for rustic-festival-painting-day, but more commonly used for board-game-nights.

Sample: Opening Track

I hope at least one of the above soundtracks have boosted your productivity, if only for an hour. My mission, after all, is to boost economic output. Thank you for your contribution to the global economy, reader!

Machinarium OST

Machinarium is a game made by Czech studio Amanita Design. It’s a point and click adventure, meaning I’ve never played it, but the art style is wonderful, it has a kind of chaotic, fake future design that has always appealed to me.

The soundtrack is unique, it’s simple and ambient, with an industrial feel. You can’t pinpoint the instruments used, it sounds like the music is played on the metal city (pictured above) itself!

Sample: Opening Track