Even today, there are certain books and series I can’t read without getting specific songs stuck in my head. Because in elementary school, my teachers would put on “calming and relaxing” music for us to listen to during our mandatory reading time. The result? I can’t even think about A Series of Unfortunate Events without having Orinoco Flow by Enya ringing around in my head. But that makes sense. Music can help us focus by blocking out the sounds of the world around us and providing a background for creative efforts. But more than that, music can help set the tone for the creative process. One Healthline article suggests that music offers four primary benefits when it comes to focusing:

• It can significantly improve your mood
• It can increase motivation
• It improves memory and brain stimulation
• It helps properly manage pain and fatigue (especially when tired)

Of course, not everyone experiences positive results when trying to focus and listen to music at the same time. This Cambridge University study can attest to that well enough. But sometimes, it takes a little bit of experimentation to find out what works best for you. So, with that said, here are some of my personal favorites to turn to whenever I need to focus.

Five Albums to Help Creators Focus

1) Marcus Warner – Liberation

This 2014 album features a variety of songs, mostly instrumental, that range from upbeat and epic to laid-back and cathartic. Because it was the first of Warner’s albums to release, it feels as if a single style hadn’t yet been settled into. So, the result is a collection of different yet inspiring pieces. Of the many beautiful scores featured in this collection, I consistently find myself humming along the melodies that have stuck with me long after first hearing them. Some of the notable songs from this album include Wings, Africa, and Fallen Hero.

2) Lorn Balfe – Assassin’s Creed III

Music, among all auditory stimulants, has the ability to evoke powerful memories. For me, Lorn Balfe’s soundtrack for Assassin’s Creed III is no exception. This hour-long score powerfully conjures memories of my college days, probably spent keeping my roommate awake late into the night while trying to make it as far into the game as I could. But that’s not why I’ve included it on this list. As a background soundtrack for creating, it acts much in the same vein as Marcus Warner’s album, mentioned previously. This instrumental composition moves from fast-paced, grand pieces to slow and mournful dirges, taking the listener through a broad range of emotive pieces. However, of the twenty-five different songs included, the main theme remains my favorite composition of the album.

3) Erra – Augment

A far cry (or scream) from anything so far mentioned in this list of albums, Erra’s Augment represents a different genre altogether. This metalcore album from 2013 served as the backdrop for much of my academic writing. Though one might not initially think of metal as being overly stimulating for the creative process, the melodic nature of this album, as well as the explicitly masterful talent exhibited by the musicians, makes it one of my go-to sources of inspiration. The mix of aggression and soaring musical moments makes this the perfect choice for a dynamic soundtrack to the creative process. Purely speaking from my own standpoint, some of the best songs include Pulse, Ultraviolet, and Dementia.

4) James Paget – The Wonder of Gaia

Sometimes, when different pieces from one artist sound similar, it comes across as a bad thing — a lack of artistic expression. But other times, it’s almost hypnotic in effect. Not in the sense that it induces a trance but that the repetitive sound helps focus on the task at hand instead of the world around you. That seems to be the case with James Paget’s album, The Wonder of Gaia, comprised by nearly an hour and a half of symphonic, strings-heavy music. Though listeners might get lost in the mix, not fully appreciating where one song stops and the next begins, this dynamic can help creators stay rooted in their thoughts long enough to get something done. Three of the best individual racks from this album are Unite, Free, and Shine Bright.

5) Two Steps from Hell – Unleashed

This collaborative album composed by Thomas Bergersen and Nick Phoenix features twenty songs ranging from epic scores to vocal ballads. And it quite likely represents the most orchestral and mature collection in this list. Though similar in scope to other instrumental albums, the soaring melodies, varied instruments, and overall composition set it apart from others on this list. And the diversity of tone allows the listener to find the perfect song to match the creative mood in the moment. Though difficult to determine, some of the outstanding pieces on this album are Unleashed, the titular introductory song, Impossible, and Run Free.

Find the Soundtrack that Suits You Best

When it comes to music and what works best for setting the creative mood, objectivity goes straight out the window. Just because one particular soundtrack might work great for getting me focused in on the creative process doesn’t meant it will do the same for any other person. So, when it comes to dialing in, the perfect selection will vary from person to person. And that’s all right, because music is meant to be intensely personal, emotive and inspiring. So, find what works best for you, and whenever the mood strikes, be sure to share it with others.