Ahh, New Age music.  You don’t know what it is but you know it when you hear it. . . at least you think you do.  A lot of the music labeled as such existed before the title came up.  If something defies labeling, give it one.  Any music that is relaxing and is advertised to give you enlightenment or relieve stress will fit our label of “New Age”.  This easy definition has enabled many with the right synth and computer programs to dash off half-baked simplistic, boring music and sell it as a “pathway.”  Many charlatans and fools have profited from this.  It insults the other musicians who are serious about their music that gets lumped in with these profiteers.

I distrust anyone who makes music “for relaxation.”  It’s okay to aim for a certain mood but it’s not okay to target that mood.  What’s the difference?  In the former, one has started the piece and realizes that it is going that way and wants to preserve that mood or you feel that way and want to chronicle it.  In the latter, you set out to make that kind of mood with elements that are agreed to fit the idea of relaxation.  “Ahh, this is what they expect.  This is a service.  People can use this for relation, yoga, meditation, etc.” – – –  especially if I use those words in the title.  You will hear that type of music when you are on hold to discuss a problem “with your next available customer service representative.  So relax, relax, RELAX, damn it!  Relax so you don’t bite that person’s head off and blame the company for your problem with the product!”

I, like many others, will reach for a certain kind of music to fit the mood I’m in or the mood I’d like to be in.  Just by desiring that mood, you have made the first step in attaining it.  Some music just doesn’t fit the moment.  It doesn’t mean that the music is no good; it’s just not right for now.  This is very different than music put on for background or some subliminal effect.  It seems to be silly to choose to have something do anything subliminally. The unconscious is the unconscious, you cannot will it.  Once you are aware of it, it is no longer unconscious.  We have enough advertisements to batter our unconscious, why should we allow it willingly?

Brian Eno had the right idea with Music for Airports. He has explained his motivation for that album both in his liner notes and in countless interviews.  Eno noticed that the music played in the airports at the time were designed to make you feel artificially relaxed.  It is designed to say, “You’re not going to crash, you’re not going to crash.”  Thus, making you more uptight and you won’t know why.  This is because the music is designed to be ignored and it is designed to wrestle you mind into relaxation.

Brian Eno decided to make music that is slow and deliberate.  The music is subtle enough to relax you but has things that crop up from time to time that peak your interest.  Music that, hopefully, will get you in the frame of mind that “everything’s okay.  If the plane crashes it’s out of my control.  So why worry?”  (Hopefully, the air traffic controllers, pilots and maintenance crews will feel differently)

Slow deliberate music with aims and is not whispering to you in capital letters RELAX!

“New Age” music, however, is more than music to calm.  The good music that the corporate drain trust dump into this category uses many forms of music in any number of combinations.  This can be invigorating! Paul Winter, for instance, on his album Icarus, uses combinations of Jazz, African Music, Classical, Folk and Rock elements.  The album is even produced by George Martin (yes, of Beatles fame).  This is not “Music for Relaxation” but you can come out of it feeling relaxed and even energized! The music can be played as background but don’t be surprised if, from time to time, you stop what you’re doing to listen.

Sometimes it’s hard to explain how some music is poison and other music is helpful.  It’s easy to say it’s all just a matter of taste.  When music, however, is meaningless or only something you only pull out (or download, or stream) on the occasion you bring out the meditation mat, it somehow cheapens both experiences.  Is relaxation and focus what you’re going for or is anaesthetizing?

I like “New Age” music, I dislike the label and the marketing (along with the profiteers who make bland, meaningless garbage sold as an aid to living).  Music isn’t something you put in boxes with strict borders.  We only have labels so we can more easily communicate in general terms.  Labels, however, are not ends, in and of themselves. Only in marketing strategies are they that.  Otherwise, they are just approaches and styles.  When you limit yourself to only one or two, you shrink your world.