Brian Eno

Good morning and happy new year.

Today we’re listening to Brian Eno, an English music producer and composer. Eno opened a new chapter in music when he put out Music for Airports, with its liner notes explaining the thinking behind “ambient music.” Such music, he wrote, accommodates many levels of attention; it’s “as ignorable as it is interesting.” Ambient music can at once be an expression of human experience while also providing the utilitarian function of creating a “space to think in,” to quote a recent Economist podcast on the matter. We’re kicking off the year with Eno’s original Ambient 1 as well as our own favorite Eno composition, the profound, hour-long Thursday Afternoon.

Ambient 1: Music for Airports - Brian Eno (50m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal

Thursday Afternoon - Brian Eno (60m, no vocals)
Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube Music / Amazon Music / Tidal

We wish you a great start to your year.