New Age, Celtic, ambient and ethereal music: artists like Enya
New Age music, often said to be Enya's musical genre, is a style originally associated with some New Age beliefs (but it's often not the case; Enya herself is catholic). It has its basis in the 1960s and is generally characterised as being primarily instrumental and repetitively melodic in nature.
New age
New Age music is a genre that's all about creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere. Think calming sounds, soothing melodies, and an overall feeling of tranquility.
Characteristics
- Atmosphere is key: The main goal is to evoke a sense of serenity, often used for relaxation, meditation, yoga, or even just creating a calm environment at home.
- Instrumentation: It can be quite diverse! You'll find acoustic instruments like piano, harp, and flute, alongside electronic instruments and nature sounds (think flowing water or birdsong).
- Melody and Harmony: Generally features gentle melodies and harmonies, avoiding complex structures or jarring sounds. Tempo: Usually slow and flowing, helping to create that relaxed vibe.
Purpose
While it can simply be enjoyed for its beauty, New Age music often has a functional purpose:
- Stress reduction: Its calming nature can help lower anxiety and promote relaxation.
- Mindfulness and meditation: It can help you focus your thoughts and achieve a meditative state.
- Inspiration and creativity: Some find it sparks their imagination and helps them connect with their inner selves.
Key Artists
Some of the most well-known New Age artists include:
- Enya: Known for her ethereal vocals and Celtic influences.
- Yanni: A pianist and composer known for his large-scale orchestral performances.
- George Winston: A pianist known for his minimalist and melodic compositions.
- Kitaro: A Japanese composer who blends electronic and acoustic instruments.
Celtic music
Celtic music today is a vibrant and evolving genre that honors its deep roots while embracing modern influences. It's more than just traditional jigs and reels - it's a dynamic blend of old and new, acoustic and electronic, local and global.
Traditional Music Still Thrives
- Preserving the heritage: Many musicians and bands dedicate themselves to keeping traditional forms alive, playing instruments like the fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes, harp, and bodhrán.
- Passing on the tradition: Festivals, sessions in pubs, and community gatherings ensure that these musical traditions are passed down through generations.
Fusion and Experimentation
Blending genres: Celtic music is increasingly fusing with other genres like rock, pop, electronic, world music, and even classical. This leads to exciting new sounds and collaborations.
Contemporary Interpretations:
- Modernizing the sound: Artists like Enya and Loreena McKennitt have achieved global success by incorporating Celtic elements into their contemporary styles, often with New Age or ethereal influences.
- Expanding the audience: This approach introduces Celtic music to a broader audience who might not be familiar with the traditional forms.
Key Artists
- Clannad is a highly influential Irish musical group. They've been creating music since the 1970s and are known for their beautiful harmonies, traditional Irish influences, and Enya's early involvement (she's the younger sister of some of the band members!). Their music blends folk, traditional Irish, and even New Age elements.
- The Chieftains: Legends of Irish traditional music, known for their virtuosity and collaborations with diverse artists.
- The Dubliners: A hugely influential Irish folk group with a long history of lively pub songs and ballads.
- Afro Celt Sound System: A groundbreaking group that fuses Irish music with West African rhythms and electronica.
- Loreena McKennitt: A Canadian singer-songwriter who blends Celtic influences with world music elements.
- Celtic Woman: An all-female Irish musical ensemble known for their beautiful harmonies, traditional and contemporary songs, and theatrical stage shows. They perform a blend of Celtic music, classical crossover, and adult contemporary.
Ethereal and ambiente music
Both ethereal and ambient music aim to create immersive sonic experiences, but they have distinct characteristics:
Ethereal Music
- Dreamy and otherworldly: Imagine floating through clouds or exploring a fantastical realm. Ethereal music often evokes a sense of wonder, mystery, and transcendence.
- Focus on atmosphere and texture: Melodies may be present but are often secondary to the overall mood and sonic landscape.
- Common elements: Reverb, delay, and other effects are used to create a spacious, atmospheric sound. Vocals are often layered and processed to sound angelic or otherworldly.
- Examples: Enya, Cocteau Twins, Dead Can Dance, Sigur Ros
Ambient Music:
- Calm and atmospheric: Think of a peaceful environment, like a quiet forest or a starry night sky. Ambient music is designed to create a calming and immersive atmosphere.
- Minimalism and subtlety: It often features slow tempos, long drones, and subtle shifts in sound. Melodies and rhythms are often understated or absent altogether.
- "Background" listening: While it can be enjoyed attentively, ambient music is often used to create a mood or enhance an environment without demanding focused attention.
- Examples: Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, Stars of the Lid, Tim Hecker
Even more artists like Enya
- Vangelis: A Greek composer and musician who is a master of electronic music. He's known for his sweeping, cinematic scores for films like Chariots of Fire and Blade Runner, as well as his solo albums that explore ambient, new age, and orchestral sounds.
- Sissel: Often referred to as "the voice of Norway," Sissel Kyrkjebø is a renowned soprano with a crystal-clear voice. She's known for her work in classical music, opera, and folk, as well as her collaborations with artists like Plácido Domingo and José Carreras.
- Sarah McLachlan: A Canadian singer-songwriter known for her emotionally powerful ballads and soaring vocals. Her music often touches on themes of love, loss, and spirituality. She's also the founder of the Lilith Fair music festival, which showcased female artists.
- Maire Brennan (Enya's sister) :Known for her ethereal voice and deeply expressive singing style. Her solo work often draws on Celtic traditions and explores themes of spirituality and nature.
- Lisa Gerrard: An Australian vocalist and composer known for her unique and haunting voice. She often sings in a wordless style, creating evocative and atmospheric soundscapes. She's known for her collaborations with Hans Zimmer on film scores like Gladiator and The Thin Red Line.
- Enigma: A German musical project created by Michael Cretu. Enigma is known for its atmospheric and mysterious sound, blending Gregorian chants, world music influences, and electronic elements. Their music often has a spiritual or mystical quality.