[2026] Masterpieces of instrumental music. Recommended instrumental tracks.
The genre of music without vocals—so-called “instrumentals,” also known in Japan by the abbreviation “inst”—covers a wide range of pieces, from film soundtracks and classical music to 15-second commercial jingles.
In this article, we’ve curated a broad selection of recommended instrumental masterpieces, from world-famous soundtrack tunes to fiery guitar instrumentals and soothing lounge music.
We hope it sparks a new realization—“Songs without lyrics might actually be great!”
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[2026] Masterpieces of instrumental music: Recommended instrumental tracks (71–80)
CrystalAnup Sastry
Anup Sastry is a project by an American drummer, also famous for photos of him making exaggerated wide-eyed faces.
As you’d expect from a drummer-led project, the tracks are heavily focused on rhythm.
The song runs a relatively long eight minutes, but it also features a piano break in the middle, giving it an emotional, lyrical side.
HustleVan McCoy
These days he’s become best known as the composer of a high school baseball cheer song, but his achievements are truly great.
This “The Hustle” can be called one of the most emblematic tracks of the ’70s.
Naturally, it hit No.
1 in the U.S., and it’s said to have sold a total of 10 million copies—an out-and-out monster hit.
In the ’70s it was always on TV and the radio in Japan as well, so it was a song everyone knew, even if they weren’t disco freaks.
You could say it rode the disco boom, but above all, the quality of the composition itself is superb.
Starting quietly with the choral intro and then exploding with the shout of “Do the hustle!”, it drove many listeners onto the dance floor.
There was once a bit in a Paul McCartney concert where he asked the band, “What’s the next song?”, they played a few seconds of this tune, and Paul snapped “No!” and launched into rock—but even so, this was a work that could stand shoulder to shoulder with Paul’s many masterpieces.
O astronautaBaden Powell
Brazilian guitar music is renowned for its exceptionally high level, and in the world of bossa nova, the first to revolutionize guitar playing was Baden Powell.
“Astronauta” is one of the representative instrumental pieces left by Baden Powell.
[2026] Masterpieces of Instrumental Music: Recommended Instrumental Tracks (81–90)
NutmegInfected Mushroom
This is a track by Infected Mushroom, who continually create avant-garde, experimental psychedelic trance.
It’s an intriguing piece that ranges from toy-like sounds to a cinematic, majestic atmosphere.
It’s on the longer side, but time will fly by.
The occasional aggressive lead synths feel incredibly satisfying.
The Nutcracker, Op. 71a: No. 3, Dance of the Sugar Plum FairyPeter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Speaking of Tchaikovsky, it has to be the familiar “The Nutcracker, Op.
71a: No.
3, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” It’s often performed as a ballet, too.
It’s a perfect piece for the Christmas season.
Picture the scene where the Sugar Plum Fairy awakens in the middle of the night and begins to dance.
The orchestra’s various instruments portray a mysterious nighttime world.
It’s also great for children and a fun piece to enjoy with the whole family.
Theme from A Summer Place (Natsu no Hi no Koi)Percy Faith Orchestra
The theme song from the 1959 film “A Summer Place.” It spent nine consecutive weeks at No.
1 on the U.S.
charts and won a Grammy in 1961.
The piece was composed by Max Steiner, a well-known figure in film music, famous for works like “Gone with the Wind.” Originally a vocal number, it was covered as an instrumental by Percy Faith.
With its flowing melody and superb arrangement, it perfectly evokes the feel of a “summer resort.” It showcases the assured craftsmanship of easy-listening master Percy Faith.
Incidentally, he has an impressive three U.S.
No.
1 hits: “Tara’s Theme” from “Gone with the Wind,” “The Song from Moulin Rouge,” and this one.
SoulfulL’indecis
Born around the mid-2010s and drawing attention as a music genre born from internet culture, “Lo-Fi Hip Hop” has now firmly established itself as a genre in its own right.
Characterized by intentionally lo-fi production and chill sounds sampling old jazz and soul records—most of which are instrumental—it’s now widely enjoyed even by those who aren’t hardcore music fans, often as background music for studying or working.
The track introduced here is a classic representative of the lo-fi hip hop genre: “Soulful.” Released in 2018 by L’indecis, an artist based in France, it has racked up over 44 million views on YouTube to date.
Its quintessential lo-fi hip hop sound is easy on the ears, even for listeners who don’t typically gravitate toward hip hop or instrumentals.
By the way, L’indecis is also active in physical releases such as CDs and vinyl, so if you’re interested, be sure to check those out as well!
