Music For Airports

Brian Eno once said that the emotion an artist conveys is more important the words they are saying. As an artist that dabbles in the ambient music, it’s no surprise that he was able to convey a sense of subtly in an atmospheric way. Which is why the first album of the Ambient series, Music For Airports is one of my favorite works from Eno.

Strangely enough, Brian Eno was inspired to create this album (and perhaps the rest of the Ambient series) during his wait at an airport. As he waited, he noticed the music playing throughout the compound. It was then that he decided to experiment with atmospheric sounds. During recording, Eno recorded simple melodies pianos and synths and played them on loop. As these melodies repeat, other melodies are incorporated to create a sense of dynamic to the track without sacrificing the record’s minimalistic intent. It was also recorded at half speed, which according Brian Eno, “makes the sound more soft.” As a result, Music For Airports paints atmospheric landscapes that can be described as graceful and lush. It is a listening experience unlike any other and it is simply one of the greatest ambient records ever created.






On one final note, play this album the next time you are waiting for your next flight. Guaranteed to be a whole new experience at the airport.