[2026] The Beautiful World of Ambient: A Curated Collection of Must-Listen Masterpieces
What kind of music comes to mind when you hear the term “ambient music”? In Japan, ambient music—also called environmental music—has many subgenres and has influenced a wide range of artists and bands, yet its true nature can be as elusive as the floating sounds themselves.
In this article, we introduce classic albums from the 1960s and ’70s, when ambient music is said to have emerged, as well as more recent works that have received high acclaim—masterpieces of “ambient music” in the broad sense.
Whether you’re a beginner or someone already captivated by the deep allure of ambient music, be sure to check it out!
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[2026] The Beautiful World of Ambient: A Collection of Must-Listen Masterpieces (11–20)
#3Aphex Twin
Aphex Twin, world-renowned in electronic music.
He’s also famous for his shocking CD covers, but his work spans many genres, and he has produced a lot of ambient music.
This is Ambient Works Volume II, a special collection of ambient tracks he selected.
Let yourself be enveloped by flawless ambient sound!
5gas
Gas’s album “Königsforst” has a fairly dark tone.
Its most striking feature is a kind of crushed four-on-the-floor dance beat—something relatively rare in ambient music—and the tracks unfold around this sound.
Am I the only one who gets the feeling of a final-dungeon atmosphere from an RPG?
A Rainbow In Curved AirTerry Riley
Terry Riley, a pioneer of minimal music who develops pieces by looping the same melodies and phrases over and over.
Here’s an incredibly fresh work of his that you’d never guess was released in 1969.
Part of its appeal is the use of retro gear, giving the sound a vibe reminiscent of the Famicom era.
The first track is minimal music, and the second track is ambient.
recovery2814
Released in January 2015 by the duo 2814, the album Birth of a New Day captivates with a dreamlike sound world that fuses ambient and vaporwave.
Rather than relying on sampling, it builds its own soundscapes, presenting richly emotive tracks that evoke a futuristic metropolis.
Its reissues on vinyl and cassette have also sparked attention, earning high praise that transcends genre boundaries.
A romantic, melancholic record perfect for nighttime drives or quiet moments.
Stags, Aircraft, Kings and SecretariesTim Hecker
Tim Hecker’s highly acclaimed ambient album, Harmony in Ultraviolet.
Here is music that feels like waves of sound crashing in.
Silence and dynamism—remarkable ebb and flow—are expressed throughout the album.
Listen to this record and deepen your connection with ambient and electronic music.
Music For 18 MusiciansSteve Reich
A record where you can experience the immersive music of American musician Steve Reich.
The choice of sounds is excellent across the board, and even with long refrains, it never gets boring.
This is another epic running over an hour, and the live version that recreates the album is superb as well.
[2026] The Beautiful World of Ambient: A Curated List of Must-Hear Masterpieces (21–30)
Sometimes He’s In My DreamsNEW!Mary Lattimore
If you listen to Mary Lattimore’s music, you’ll understand just how otherworldly a harp can sound.
Based in Los Angeles, the harpist is highly acclaimed for her unique style that pairs classical technique with effects pedals.
Her 2020 album Silver Ladders was produced by Neil Halstead of Slowdive and recorded in Cornwall, England.
Layers of harp loops meld with shimmering guitar, painting cinematic, beautiful scenes.
Selected by numerous media outlets as one of the year’s best, this work is a masterpiece that evokes a deep narrative within quietude.
If you’re looking for music that feels like a refuge for the heart, be sure to check it out!