10 instrumental Spotify playlists that are perfect for WFH (and tuning out screaming children)
By Shayna Healy
07th Jan 2021
07th Jan 2021
From classical music to instrumental film scores, these are the best WFH playlists on Spotify right now.
After asking around the office, the IMAGE team seems to be split down the middle when it comes to listening to music while working.
While some, like myself, swear music makes them more productive, others say it only distracts them. However, we struck common ground with instrumental music.
It’s been known that listening to classical music can have many benefits. Studies have found it helps reduce stress and anxiety while improving concentration and performance.
And luckily, Spotify has pretty much every curated playlist you can think of. Here are our favourite WFH playlists right now.
Classical Music
At a duration of 15.5 hours, you could listen to classical music all the workday long without hearing one repeated song. This playlist is chock full of classics, both upbeat and slow, making it perfect for mid-lull pick-me-ups.
For work that requires the utmost concentration, this playlist has slower melodies. It has more modern classical tunes, like ‘My Sanctuary’ from Mary Shelley and ‘Solemn Love’ from On Chesil Beach.
This playlist is a dynamic mix of classical staples that just can’t be beaten. Schubert, Brahms, Bach, Handel, Beethoven and Mozart are just some of the brilliant composers featured. You can listen to your favourite ballet scores as well.
Film Scores
It would be an outright sin not to list Hans Zimmer here. His iconic film scores include Inception, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Da Vinci Code, The Last Samurai, Gladiator, King Arthur, The Lion King and Pearl Harbour.
You can either shuffle songs by the artist or choose the above-mentioned playlist, which contains over seven hours of his best-known songs.
Movie Soundtracks & Cinematic Music (Classical & Instrumental)
The mother of all movie playlists, we are eternally grateful for this conglomerate of wonderfulness.
Not only does it contain noteworthy film scores, but each one is instrumental, making it ideal background music for working from home.
Disney Instrumental
While listening to a regular Disney soundtrack may be far too tempting to sing along to, the orchestral versions are far less so. Listening to these Academy Award-winning hits is a great way to stimulate creativity and keep motivation high all day long.
Composed of mostly piano and guitar covers, these instrumental lullabies provide soft background music for work that requires intense focus and long stretches without pauses.
Instrumental Favourites
This dreamy album is great for morning meditation and early work hours. Max Richter’s stuff is brilliant; he also did the scores for Ad Astra and Mary Queen of Scots.
Instrumental Covers – Modern Pop & Classic Favorites
If classical music isn’t your cup of tea, you might give this playlist a try. It has instrumental versions of modern pop songs and hits through the ages as well, including ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, ‘No Woman No Cry’ and Billie Eilish’s ‘Lovely’.
Close your eyes and you just might be sitting in a cafe in Paris, sipping espresso and eating a délicieux croissant.
My favourite WFH playlist, it is filled with savoury sounds that boost your mood without distracting you from work.
Read more: How to create a home office in a small space (and with limited levels of concentration)
Read more: Working from home tips and tricks, as recommended by IMAGE readers
Read more: Mastering the art of soft-working: Why these famous artists were more productive in PJs
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