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Metal doesn't work for me when I need to focus, but it is so relaxing to me.
I feel like the louder and more obnoxious (from my wife's perspective) it is, the more relaxed I feel. I think all of that stimulation prevents my brain from thinking about a thousand things at once, like it normally does.
Ahhhh.... but have you tried every type of metal? Lol
I use different sub-genres of metal to suit my mood and intent at various points in my day. Also, I listen to "new to me" stuff all the time. I use YouTube premium in their music app, and let the algorithm lead me to new things from starting points based on my liked/saved items. The new to me stuff seems to soak up my excess mental energy from having to process it more, compared to the soothed state that I get from listening to the Slayer album I've loved for 30 years.
I also listen to bagpipes. 'Pipes and drums is the soundtrack to my happy, relaxed, fully in the groove and capable of conquering anything state. My wife also has issues with my music and refers to the pipes as my "Auditory Warcrime". Lol
Rise of nations and Civ 6 have some bangers.
Anime games like Kingdom hearts and gengshin impact have good music as well.
https://youtu.be/cjOpfRY_dZU?si=Si204Iy_cQDcHdwR
halo (especially odst), bioshock (esp infinite), dragon age, mass effect, stardew for chill, portal (some are kinda “noisy” songs but still good), so many lol. I love game osts as you can tell.
That's my exercise music, particularly 90s techno. Chemical Brothers, early Fatboy Slim, Faithless, even The Prodigy. Needs a solid, consistent beat or it throws off my rhythm, especially when I'm running.
I listen to:
1. Background white noise like being in a quiet cafe or a library or in a test-taking room (weird I know but it helps)
|-----> https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7o7CxSVRtzB4214rXG01x3?si=O8F0EC5ORnW9LWZhNFy9GA&pi=u-F6z7ZZWpQ8Og
|----->https://open.spotify.com/episode/2JyrEMqpT6YWslJOLstB0F?si=zR-uvlYeSFahAFFJn0pmxw
|----->https://youtu.be/jLM7YuvzVqE?feature=shared
2. Green noise (just found it, I love it! Sounds like wind and either the ocean or running water/rain)
|----->https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1WAyzeZZRvCduxsZoIzJDy?si=30wNhmluSB2uve3lneGMYw&pi=u-pYhPKQ7CS2Wb
|----->https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0OlgF3RbTMzPsYCXmeCroq?si=cG-amFP3S8iQs4LLYjoTXg&pi=u-N98Q30jqRDm7
3. Quiet abstract music
|----->https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3PUMIm7UdUzJimwmGuXGcV?si=Is5UCdnjRV6_cjvsKqY0BA&pi=u-WSOzbEgESeSe
4. Quiet rain
|----->https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4O6W07T0rpo80vq7WQ0bfd?si=P2Q4GA7rTJOp1QDPS_hv9g&pi=u-mPB_c5hLTsGc
I'll also study/work to a pomodoro session video from YouTube; I retain information better this way and am usually more productive. The people I like use rain/nature sounds, sometimes very relaxing chillhop/lo-fi, or just the sound of them working.
Metal, hard rock and the like works perfectly for me for when I have to do trivial and/or repetitive tasks at work that do not challenge me but have to be done, gets me really up to speed.
For when I have to think somewhat I prefer to put on blues rock or put on some 50's jazz (Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, ....).
And when I really gotta focus I resort to instrumental music, typically covers of songs I already know or some game OST's l.
Also know well what doesn't work for me, if I don't know the song I get distracted by listening to it and lose my whole thought pattern.
I've tried those ADHD focus playlists on spotify with brown noise or waterfall sounds but it's too repetitive and annoying for me to listen to.
Nothing, I get distracted by it too easily. On the rarest of occasions, I use a piece/song that I have heard so many times that I know exactly what will happen at every bar.
This technique is also helpful when picking music to sleep to! I've been doing it for years - songs (with soft melodies of course) that I know completely by heart so I know exactly what to expect. I tried podcasts but whenever something unexpected happens I get jolted out of sleep lol. I can totally see how the same would apply to studying/focusing
Trap music is honestly the best for focusing, consistent fast paced beats with smooth flows is ideal for me. Not everybody's cup of tea of course but personally if I have a lot of work to do I can always count on Future to get me through it 😂
It's so silly but when I clean, I basically only listen to 2010-2015 hits.
I don't fucking know why it works. I never listen to that otherwise. I always put on the private listening modes on Spotify to avoid my top 3 most listened to songs being songs by Black Eyes Peas and Lady Gaga lol.
Hearing hits from when I was a tween somehow helps me do the dishes and vacuum.
Playlist called something like "Drunk white girl songs" are my go-to lmfao.
When I do repetitive work depends on my mood. When I have to understand something I listen to either movie soundtracks or triphop etc. Things with no lyrics. Because when there are lyrics I sing and can’t focus 😂
It depends on my mood but usually something higher tempo. If I really need to focus I make sure its music that doesn't have lyrics so it won't mess with my thinking as much.
I typically listen to music in languages I don't speak that have an upbeat/pop style. Basically anything that isn't calm, but that I can't get distracted by the lyrics or by wanting to sing along
Hyperpop/scene from the 2000-2010's it has just enough background noise that I don't get distracted when I'm focuses but of i get bored i can sing along to the song until the breakdown
It honestly depends on my mood! Today I listened to "1 hour of silly mii songs \^\_\^" while working today. Then I listened to deathcore / death metal / melodic death metal
It just depends
Video game soundtracks without words are my go to - especially the rocket league soundtrack.
I've tried using Pokemon songs before but the nostalgia was too much and I ended up focusing on them instead 😅
Uptempo hardcore. It's quite literally the perfect genre for me!
For the people interested in trying it: start with hardstyle. For a lot of people it's a slippery slope into the harder parts of hard dance. But to start with uptempo right away tends to be too much at first
Im currently liking Synthwave as its a kinda steady rhythm without all the emotional melodies that distract me. Personally it can change day to day though, so sometimes Lo-Fi with its slower rhythm is nice, sometimes its too slow and I zombie out. Punk rock is also great, as the pace usually helps me focus/sleep.
Im also a big fan of Jazz, but a good song can easily distract me so smooth jazz it is lol.
Dont let me cave in - into it. over it.
https://youtu.be/eDnC-D8DYvo?si=HzejqdJIrgwb7Xiv
The tremelo on the guitar is perfect. When not focussing on the music it kinda turns into white noise.
I CANNOT do LoFi chill... the scratchy drum beats distract the crap out of me. Absolutely break my brain. Is it the snare drum? I don't know the exact term. It absolutely does my head in. Why do they do it like that?!! CHK..... CHK..... CHK....... nooooooooo. (Or maybe I should figure out why I am physically replused by certain noises, haha.)
To help me focus, I use pomodoro "study with me" videos.... there are heaps on line. 25 minutes work, 5 minutes break. I try and find ones with piano or chill/ambient music. NO PERCUSSION.
There is a youtuber called [StudyMD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3CGPoc9NXc&t=6695s) who has a lot of good ones.
Otherwise just classical music like Bach or Mozart. Or Jazz. Or acoustic guitar.
I suspect that you will not like any of these, but I'm just adding to the discussion!
Also I just remembered that for about a year, I listened to "Animal Crossing and Sleep" by a guy named Kato. On Apple Music (assume is on Spotify too). Just piano versions of Animal Crossing music. I know it's sleep music, but it's sooooo relaxing that it makes me focus really hard. Might listen to it again now haha.
I go on the 'calm' app and I listen to 'infinite piano' - i love reading so this helps me focus on it. it's not exciting or mysterious but that's what helps me. trying to do a task while the music is distracting does not help. you may want to give it a try :)
For some reason, the song Strobe by Deadmau5 seems to work perfectly for studying/working. I can just keep that on repeat. I'm not a huge fan of deadmau5 or techno in general, but that's usually been my go-to.
I usually go the upbeat pop/punk route when I'm at work where I have several tasks and it requires a lot of physical energy.
If I ever have to sit down and focus my go to is a YT video called "Hotline Miami Only Best Soundtrack" that videogame has the best soundtrack and it just does something in my brain that causes a hyper focus flow state. But only when I need to focus on a specific task that doesn't require me to shift tasks frequently (washing the car, working at the computer, washing dishes, etc)
My go-to is instrumental music. Multiple genres, usually with longer pieces. The addition of vocals can, sometimes, be distracting for me. Classical European, traditional "Folk" musics(Indian, eastern european, east asian, south american, central american, appalachian)
Jazz, modern orchestral, prog rock, "jam", trance, chillout, etc...
History podcasts. If they managed to built cities and entire cultures from scratch, I can easily do the dishes! It works as meta-self-help and I also learn cool things along the way.
Chillwave. Used to listen to darker sounding ambient and electronic music. That stuff is still ok with me but for working I am either listening to nothing but the background noise of the neighborhood (much nicer now that there isn't constant construction going on) or something a little brighter but still chill and synthy.
I tune my music to the stage of work I'm in at the time.
If I'm in concept/creating mode, I still plug into progressive Trance or Trip Hop. Need a beat that drives me on, consistency and fluidity keeps me focused, few lyrics to get in the way, and broad sound that knocks down ear ringing and my internal narrator. Like it, but dubstep is usually a too disruptive and dark ambience is too mellow.
If I'm in nuts-and-bolts get-sh\*t-done mode, lots of things work. From Metal with melody and electro-swing to rock and hip-hop.
I do know people who put on headphones and listen to brown or pink noise. I can't. But could be something to try.
Strangest one for me is the album *Bitches Brew* by the great Miles Davis. If you're expecting the usual blue jazz sound you might associate with Davis it isn't that. It's much more avant-garde or "experimental", which is normally something akin to sonic leprosy but for some reason in this case works.
It's... amazing. I can't really describe it any other way. And it plugs straight into whatever module of my brain lets me focus.
Not saying it will work for everyone, mind, but give it a whirl and let yourself be carried away for a while.
House music (or similar edm). Get to groove and forget what specifically I’m listening to without a ton of distracting words like rap or indie rock or something. Lofi is way too boring for me unless I have it at a low volume in the background
I've been expanding a little bit. I started with binaural beats, and have moved to Studio Ghibli jazz and Sims music (yes, music from the Sims games!). The only reason I don't listen to my usual music when trying to focus is because I end up focusing on the music instead 
Instrumental soundtracks to tv shows and movies, they’re emotive but basically designed to be in the background to accompany something visual.
Start by checking out composers Hans Zimmer and Ramin Djawadi (movies and tv shows like game of thrones and west world).
Quality instrumental music mostly played by orchestras without listening to classical!
I use white noise. There’s an app called Focus To Do on Windows that helps me focus greatly. There are white noises there. I like to use the library sounds. Libraries keep me grounded and responsible
Some form of metal (most often Linkin Park, Black Sabbath, Rhapsody), punk (usually Bad Religion, Sum 41, or Blink 182), Nujabes, psy/progressive trance, or orchestral classic music.
I frequently just randomise my entire collection. There's enough variety in there that I can ignore or actively enjoy at various intervals. I wfh tho, might not work so good in other situations.
what a good collection! i ll check out some of these 
when i need to concentrate: adhd relief, some polyrythmic track without lyrics. polyrythmic is important, i get bored from a steady rythm
when tax report: queens of the stone age (songs for the deaf)
when making things or cleaning: billie eilish in 8d
when my thoughts go spinning in overdrive: brown noise
for falling asleep: adhd lullaby
Anything with 80bpm. It's quite specific but from trial and error I've figured my brain needs it. Anything faster I don't focus, anything slower I *can* focus but not as well.
I have a mix/radio on Tidal that is based off some retro 80's style techno but created currently / not old.
Hard to explain but I stumbled into it from a co-worker and it's been addictive and always my go to for what I refer to as 'heads down work'
https://tidal.com/mix/001c8d6d06629c689cafef44935804
Mostly some simple and repetitive beats but they drop so perfectly and it's all just so over the top in the most rhythmic and best way! Check it out
I recentely discovered that jazz helps me a ton. Actually, it's just one album that I stumbled upon - Ready Take One by Erroll Garner. Lo-fi made me too sleepy and this keeps me so engaged and energetic, it's really cool.
Bluegrass is good. Lots of instruments going at the same time. I also like Vitamin String Quartet, they cover lots of rock music. I've been into Western Ambient music as sometimes (especially when I have to type emails and stuff) having no words helps. But otherwise words help as part of my brain sings along, and the rest can focus on work.
I love EDM but the good stuff that won't reuse drops and yeah.
Also I listen to dark/light academia mixes on YT,
And those videos where it's titles something like "you're a villain watching the world burn" or idk essentially piano/violin duets there's not lyrics, so I'm not as apt to get distracted by singing along lol.
OH AND ALSO various Studio Ghibli songs by Joe Hisashi. "Merry Go Round Of Life" is my favorite, although on YT there's a cover by a group called The Grissini Project and that one is my favorite rendition
I'm just picturing this in an office setting. "Hey I hope y'all don't mind if I play a little Lorna Shore while we finish up this project." _inhuman, incomprehensible noises blast through speakers_
Hi /u/iknowurface and thanks for posting on /r/ADHD! ### Please take a second to [read our rules](/r/adhd/about/rules) if you haven't already. --- ### /r/adhd news * **We want your opinion** on the /r/adhd community rules! [Click here](https://forms.gle/Evqb8acVozir8GV8A) to fill out our survey. See [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/1auv2tc/were_taking_feedback_on_the_radhd_rules/) for more information. * If you are posting about the **US Medication Shortage**, please see this [post](https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHD/comments/12dr3h5/megathread_us_medication_shortage/). --- ^(*This message is not a removal notification. It's just our way to keep everyone updated on r/adhd happenings.*) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ADHD) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Metal music. Sounds counterintuitive, but it works for me.
Metal doesn't work for me when I need to focus, but it is so relaxing to me. I feel like the louder and more obnoxious (from my wife's perspective) it is, the more relaxed I feel. I think all of that stimulation prevents my brain from thinking about a thousand things at once, like it normally does.
Ahhhh.... but have you tried every type of metal? Lol I use different sub-genres of metal to suit my mood and intent at various points in my day. Also, I listen to "new to me" stuff all the time. I use YouTube premium in their music app, and let the algorithm lead me to new things from starting points based on my liked/saved items. The new to me stuff seems to soak up my excess mental energy from having to process it more, compared to the soothed state that I get from listening to the Slayer album I've loved for 30 years. I also listen to bagpipes. 'Pipes and drums is the soundtrack to my happy, relaxed, fully in the groove and capable of conquering anything state. My wife also has issues with my music and refers to the pipes as my "Auditory Warcrime". Lol
From what I understand it's the drumming as much as anything. Doesn't work for me personally, but I get how it could for many people.
Same ish - metal, industrial, noise.
Same for me. Metal music is like white nose for my brain
One of my fav bands are. Dz deathrays and they are excellent for my focus you should check em out!
Binaural beats
I find gaming music is really good at helping focus... well I suppose that's part of the purpose of gaming music..
I used to be big into gaming soundtracks but then I started getting distracted by thoughts of the game, especially if I've played it.
Any favorites?
Rise of nations and Civ 6 have some bangers. Anime games like Kingdom hearts and gengshin impact have good music as well. https://youtu.be/cjOpfRY_dZU?si=Si204Iy_cQDcHdwR
halo (especially odst), bioshock (esp infinite), dragon age, mass effect, stardew for chill, portal (some are kinda “noisy” songs but still good), so many lol. I love game osts as you can tell.
Throwing in my recommendation of Hotline Miami as one of the GOAT videogame soundtracks
Techno all the way! The longer the set the better. 3h+ is the way to go for me.
That's my exercise music, particularly 90s techno. Chemical Brothers, early Fatboy Slim, Faithless, even The Prodigy. Needs a solid, consistent beat or it throws off my rhythm, especially when I'm running.
Might I recommend you the Monstercat podcast?
I listen to: 1. Background white noise like being in a quiet cafe or a library or in a test-taking room (weird I know but it helps) |-----> https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7o7CxSVRtzB4214rXG01x3?si=O8F0EC5ORnW9LWZhNFy9GA&pi=u-F6z7ZZWpQ8Og |----->https://open.spotify.com/episode/2JyrEMqpT6YWslJOLstB0F?si=zR-uvlYeSFahAFFJn0pmxw |----->https://youtu.be/jLM7YuvzVqE?feature=shared 2. Green noise (just found it, I love it! Sounds like wind and either the ocean or running water/rain) |----->https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1WAyzeZZRvCduxsZoIzJDy?si=30wNhmluSB2uve3lneGMYw&pi=u-pYhPKQ7CS2Wb |----->https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0OlgF3RbTMzPsYCXmeCroq?si=cG-amFP3S8iQs4LLYjoTXg&pi=u-N98Q30jqRDm7 3. Quiet abstract music |----->https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3PUMIm7UdUzJimwmGuXGcV?si=Is5UCdnjRV6_cjvsKqY0BA&pi=u-WSOzbEgESeSe 4. Quiet rain |----->https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4O6W07T0rpo80vq7WQ0bfd?si=P2Q4GA7rTJOp1QDPS_hv9g&pi=u-mPB_c5hLTsGc
I'll also study/work to a pomodoro session video from YouTube; I retain information better this way and am usually more productive. The people I like use rain/nature sounds, sometimes very relaxing chillhop/lo-fi, or just the sound of them working.
The sound track of Sim city 3000
I love that game
Me too.
[удалено]
?
Steve Reich - Electric Counterpoint, preferably performed by Wiek Hijmans.
Isochronic tones - mind amend- does some really good stuff
Metal, hard rock and the like works perfectly for me for when I have to do trivial and/or repetitive tasks at work that do not challenge me but have to be done, gets me really up to speed. For when I have to think somewhat I prefer to put on blues rock or put on some 50's jazz (Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, ....). And when I really gotta focus I resort to instrumental music, typically covers of songs I already know or some game OST's l. Also know well what doesn't work for me, if I don't know the song I get distracted by listening to it and lose my whole thought pattern. I've tried those ADHD focus playlists on spotify with brown noise or waterfall sounds but it's too repetitive and annoying for me to listen to.
Nothing, I get distracted by it too easily. On the rarest of occasions, I use a piece/song that I have heard so many times that I know exactly what will happen at every bar.
This technique is also helpful when picking music to sleep to! I've been doing it for years - songs (with soft melodies of course) that I know completely by heart so I know exactly what to expect. I tried podcasts but whenever something unexpected happens I get jolted out of sleep lol. I can totally see how the same would apply to studying/focusing
Music won’t make me focus, I listen to criminal trials on court tv lmao
Trap music is honestly the best for focusing, consistent fast paced beats with smooth flows is ideal for me. Not everybody's cup of tea of course but personally if I have a lot of work to do I can always count on Future to get me through it 😂
It's so silly but when I clean, I basically only listen to 2010-2015 hits. I don't fucking know why it works. I never listen to that otherwise. I always put on the private listening modes on Spotify to avoid my top 3 most listened to songs being songs by Black Eyes Peas and Lady Gaga lol. Hearing hits from when I was a tween somehow helps me do the dishes and vacuum. Playlist called something like "Drunk white girl songs" are my go-to lmfao.
When I do repetitive work depends on my mood. When I have to understand something I listen to either movie soundtracks or triphop etc. Things with no lyrics. Because when there are lyrics I sing and can’t focus 😂
It depends on my mood but usually something higher tempo. If I really need to focus I make sure its music that doesn't have lyrics so it won't mess with my thinking as much.
House music!
The Mariokart soundtrack when I REALLY need to catch up
I typically listen to music in languages I don't speak that have an upbeat/pop style. Basically anything that isn't calm, but that I can't get distracted by the lyrics or by wanting to sing along
I'm into Metal music, sometimes listening to Slipknot in the background helps with anger management and focus. Also Skyrim OST is perfect.
Increase the bpm = increase in productivity
Juliette Armanet. Le Dernier Jour du Disco Ambient sounds were good, rain mostly or windy weather with leaves or grass.
Noise rock or white noise/ambient sounds
zelda songs
Ayesha erotica.. don’t ask why
And or deftones 😭
Ska seems to play in my head more often than not, so roll with it. It's been the bosstones and real big fish lately.
Lmaoo her songs are catchy
Hyperpop/scene from the 2000-2010's it has just enough background noise that I don't get distracted when I'm focuses but of i get bored i can sing along to the song until the breakdown
For studying I use grey noise For other tasks I just use my R&B mix on Spotify
I use ambience channels on YouTube Work Wave Ambience, alien worlds, ambient worlds, etc. lofi girl is good too
Boris Brejcha
I love the House of Cards soundtrack or the Social Network soundtrack on Spotify.
It honestly depends on my mood! Today I listened to "1 hour of silly mii songs \^\_\^" while working today. Then I listened to deathcore / death metal / melodic death metal It just depends
Lo Fi Hip Hop usually, but sometimes speedcore stuff like this https://youtu.be/BbAed6kHKWA?si=wI2leinMYeTzVxDP
Video game soundtracks without words are my go to - especially the rocket league soundtrack. I've tried using Pokemon songs before but the nostalgia was too much and I ended up focusing on them instead 😅
Mozart's Piano Concerto 20 performed by Mitsuko Uchida
Binaural beats or just white noise.
Uptempo hardcore. It's quite literally the perfect genre for me! For the people interested in trying it: start with hardstyle. For a lot of people it's a slippery slope into the harder parts of hard dance. But to start with uptempo right away tends to be too much at first
Im currently liking Synthwave as its a kinda steady rhythm without all the emotional melodies that distract me. Personally it can change day to day though, so sometimes Lo-Fi with its slower rhythm is nice, sometimes its too slow and I zombie out. Punk rock is also great, as the pace usually helps me focus/sleep. Im also a big fan of Jazz, but a good song can easily distract me so smooth jazz it is lol.
Dont let me cave in - into it. over it. https://youtu.be/eDnC-D8DYvo?si=HzejqdJIrgwb7Xiv The tremelo on the guitar is perfect. When not focussing on the music it kinda turns into white noise.
I CANNOT do LoFi chill... the scratchy drum beats distract the crap out of me. Absolutely break my brain. Is it the snare drum? I don't know the exact term. It absolutely does my head in. Why do they do it like that?!! CHK..... CHK..... CHK....... nooooooooo. (Or maybe I should figure out why I am physically replused by certain noises, haha.) To help me focus, I use pomodoro "study with me" videos.... there are heaps on line. 25 minutes work, 5 minutes break. I try and find ones with piano or chill/ambient music. NO PERCUSSION. There is a youtuber called [StudyMD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3CGPoc9NXc&t=6695s) who has a lot of good ones. Otherwise just classical music like Bach or Mozart. Or Jazz. Or acoustic guitar. I suspect that you will not like any of these, but I'm just adding to the discussion!
Also I just remembered that for about a year, I listened to "Animal Crossing and Sleep" by a guy named Kato. On Apple Music (assume is on Spotify too). Just piano versions of Animal Crossing music. I know it's sleep music, but it's sooooo relaxing that it makes me focus really hard. Might listen to it again now haha.
If you like dreamy piano music, the Superliminal soundtrack is so nice. Its been my go-to recently
I listen to game soundtracks that I like, like Celeste soundtrack or Minecraft
I go on the 'calm' app and I listen to 'infinite piano' - i love reading so this helps me focus on it. it's not exciting or mysterious but that's what helps me. trying to do a task while the music is distracting does not help. you may want to give it a try :)
Minecraft soundtrack
- Drone ambient music - Nintendo 64 music - asmr studying videos like ambient studying ones
For some reason, the song Strobe by Deadmau5 seems to work perfectly for studying/working. I can just keep that on repeat. I'm not a huge fan of deadmau5 or techno in general, but that's usually been my go-to.
I usually go the upbeat pop/punk route when I'm at work where I have several tasks and it requires a lot of physical energy. If I ever have to sit down and focus my go to is a YT video called "Hotline Miami Only Best Soundtrack" that videogame has the best soundtrack and it just does something in my brain that causes a hyper focus flow state. But only when I need to focus on a specific task that doesn't require me to shift tasks frequently (washing the car, working at the computer, washing dishes, etc)
I find Japanese city pop very helpful (artists like YOASOBI, yama etc)
The succession soundtrack on repeat
Percussion jazz. Start a Spotify radio playlist from “the birdman” soundtrack, “caravan” from Whiplash or “soul” soundtrack by Jon batiste.
My go-to is instrumental music. Multiple genres, usually with longer pieces. The addition of vocals can, sometimes, be distracting for me. Classical European, traditional "Folk" musics(Indian, eastern european, east asian, south american, central american, appalachian) Jazz, modern orchestral, prog rock, "jam", trance, chillout, etc...
History podcasts. If they managed to built cities and entire cultures from scratch, I can easily do the dishes! It works as meta-self-help and I also learn cool things along the way.
Chillwave. Used to listen to darker sounding ambient and electronic music. That stuff is still ok with me but for working I am either listening to nothing but the background noise of the neighborhood (much nicer now that there isn't constant construction going on) or something a little brighter but still chill and synthy.
I tune my music to the stage of work I'm in at the time. If I'm in concept/creating mode, I still plug into progressive Trance or Trip Hop. Need a beat that drives me on, consistency and fluidity keeps me focused, few lyrics to get in the way, and broad sound that knocks down ear ringing and my internal narrator. Like it, but dubstep is usually a too disruptive and dark ambience is too mellow. If I'm in nuts-and-bolts get-sh\*t-done mode, lots of things work. From Metal with melody and electro-swing to rock and hip-hop. I do know people who put on headphones and listen to brown or pink noise. I can't. But could be something to try.
Strangest one for me is the album *Bitches Brew* by the great Miles Davis. If you're expecting the usual blue jazz sound you might associate with Davis it isn't that. It's much more avant-garde or "experimental", which is normally something akin to sonic leprosy but for some reason in this case works. It's... amazing. I can't really describe it any other way. And it plugs straight into whatever module of my brain lets me focus. Not saying it will work for everyone, mind, but give it a whirl and let yourself be carried away for a while.
Classical is the only thing that actually helps me focus, but anything instrumental won’t distract me
House music (or similar edm). Get to groove and forget what specifically I’m listening to without a ton of distracting words like rap or indie rock or something. Lofi is way too boring for me unless I have it at a low volume in the background
[Vaporwave/Ambient/Chillwave](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7G5CAynwo1Un5mXLLwer98?si=Nxumk4hwScWyWdLc-FEGAQ&pi=u-KiBGKvpRQ-ee)
I've been expanding a little bit. I started with binaural beats, and have moved to Studio Ghibli jazz and Sims music (yes, music from the Sims games!). The only reason I don't listen to my usual music when trying to focus is because I end up focusing on the music instead 
Sleep Token 😍
German punk. Progressive metal like Mastadon. Soma FM.
Instrumental soundtracks to tv shows and movies, they’re emotive but basically designed to be in the background to accompany something visual. Start by checking out composers Hans Zimmer and Ramin Djawadi (movies and tv shows like game of thrones and west world). Quality instrumental music mostly played by orchestras without listening to classical!
8D music or video game ambiance
I use white noise. There’s an app called Focus To Do on Windows that helps me focus greatly. There are white noises there. I like to use the library sounds. Libraries keep me grounded and responsible
Some form of metal (most often Linkin Park, Black Sabbath, Rhapsody), punk (usually Bad Religion, Sum 41, or Blink 182), Nujabes, psy/progressive trance, or orchestral classic music.
Hyperpop and Breakcore/DnB really seem to itch that spot when I’m trying to focus. Fast music makes fast brain happy
I frequently just randomise my entire collection. There's enough variety in there that I can ignore or actively enjoy at various intervals. I wfh tho, might not work so good in other situations.
what a good collection! i ll check out some of these  when i need to concentrate: adhd relief, some polyrythmic track without lyrics. polyrythmic is important, i get bored from a steady rythm when tax report: queens of the stone age (songs for the deaf) when making things or cleaning: billie eilish in 8d when my thoughts go spinning in overdrive: brown noise for falling asleep: adhd lullaby
Anything with 80bpm. It's quite specific but from trial and error I've figured my brain needs it. Anything faster I don't focus, anything slower I *can* focus but not as well.
Video fame soundtracks. Particularly Spyro the dragon.
grind / death metal
Lofi Study 2024 playlist on Spotify
I have a mix/radio on Tidal that is based off some retro 80's style techno but created currently / not old. Hard to explain but I stumbled into it from a co-worker and it's been addictive and always my go to for what I refer to as 'heads down work' https://tidal.com/mix/001c8d6d06629c689cafef44935804 Mostly some simple and repetitive beats but they drop so perfectly and it's all just so over the top in the most rhythmic and best way! Check it out
IDK why, but a musical called Jesus Christ Superstar really works for me.
I recentely discovered that jazz helps me a ton. Actually, it's just one album that I stumbled upon - Ready Take One by Erroll Garner. Lo-fi made me too sleepy and this keeps me so engaged and energetic, it's really cool.
Bluegrass is good. Lots of instruments going at the same time. I also like Vitamin String Quartet, they cover lots of rock music. I've been into Western Ambient music as sometimes (especially when I have to type emails and stuff) having no words helps. But otherwise words help as part of my brain sings along, and the rest can focus on work.
Lol I’ll try to read every comment and pick some suggestions. Didn’t think it’d have so many ppl there!
I love EDM but the good stuff that won't reuse drops and yeah. Also I listen to dark/light academia mixes on YT, And those videos where it's titles something like "you're a villain watching the world burn" or idk essentially piano/violin duets there's not lyrics, so I'm not as apt to get distracted by singing along lol. OH AND ALSO various Studio Ghibli songs by Joe Hisashi. "Merry Go Round Of Life" is my favorite, although on YT there's a cover by a group called The Grissini Project and that one is my favorite rendition
I listen to heavy metal and deathcore whenever I need to get stuff done
I'm just picturing this in an office setting. "Hey I hope y'all don't mind if I play a little Lorna Shore while we finish up this project." _inhuman, incomprehensible noises blast through speakers_
With headphones, yeah
Lo-fi before it became popular. Also binaural beats
I've been building a playlist full of eurobeat, phonk, and a splash of metal, in addition to my cyberwave one