Need a quick second of calm? Marconi Union’s song ‘Weightless’ has been declared as the most relaxing song ever by sound therapists and they’ve just come out with music video to go along with it
Feeling hopelessly stuck in a jumble of chaos? Imagine you could sit down, watch an eight minute video and be almost guaranteed a feeling of clarity, calm and relaxation. Well, guess what? You can.
Marconi Union, a three-man band from Manchester, has had their song ‘Weightless,’ declared the most relaxing song by sound therapists from the British Academy of Sound Therapy. Since its original release, the band has extended the song to promote further relaxation based on tests tests done by the academy and have created a new music video to go along with it. With a combination of soothing rhythms, guitar, piano and natural soundscapes the relaxing song is played with a video of a slowed down drone covered in lights dancing over a calm lake.
After Marconi Union and the British Academy of Sound Therapy decided to collaborate and create a piece of relaxing music, tests were performed in 2011 to measure their success. The ability of the song to slow heart rates, reduce blood pressure and decrease levels of cortisol (a chemical in the brain that causes stress and anxiety) were measured after the song was played to 40 women. It was found to be more effective than songs by Enya, Mozart and Coldplay to induce relaxation. Overall, the test concluded that ‘Weightless’ reduced anxiety by 65 per cent and brought listeners to a level 35 per cent lower than their normal resting rates.
Since the initial tests and declaration of the song being the most relaxing ever, the band has lengthened the song, created a music video and has recorded an album to go along with it. Their release of Weightless: Ambient Transmissions Vol. 2 on Sept. 22 was an anticipated addition to their relaxing song. But the relaxation that comes from their original single is unparalleled.
A combination of the chimes and lingering hums mix with sounds of natural elements and gentle waves to create the song ‘Weightless.’ The rhythmic thumps that hide in the back of the music slowly convert the heart rate into joining its relaxed pace that induced a calmer heart rate and more even breathing. The sound moves from left to right within headphones, creating a hypnotic feel to the music on top of all its relaxing charms.
The music video itself, directed by Ritchie Johnston, aids in the relaxation powers of the song as well. The video was inspired by photographic studies from Eadweard Muybridge in the late 1880s that mapped sequences of movement unseen by the human eye.
‘After experimenting with a range of different subject matter I settled on the idea of using a drone,’ says Johnston. ‘Its primary function is in aerial mapping and geological surveys, however its grace in the air and precise flight capabilities made it the ideal subject for the shoot.’
In the video the drone seems to turn into hovering creatures covered in lights that dance above the surface of the water in repeated patterns. The lights sway and grow with the music and create a mesmerizing effect within the rhythm of the song.
With the release of their new album, Marconi Union is a band to look into for music that sooths the soul. The next time you’re having a busy day and you’re looking to relax, try out Weightless: Ambient Transmissions Vol. 2 and let us know if it calms you down.
For more relaxing music from Marconi Union, check out their latest album Weightless: Ambient Transmissions Vol. 2 which has six calming tracks including ‘Weightless.’
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