You’ve probably heard this kind of music when you enter a cozy cafe or even a bookshop, or perhaps you have personally searched for this genre of music on YouTube while you were in your room preparing to sleep or study for tomorrow’s exams.

The soft drumbeats accompanying the slow synth music, and almost always with a calm background photo, sometimes what seems to be still framed from Studio Ghibli films, are what this generation calls “lo-fi.”

What does Lo-Fi mean?

Lo-Fi is short for “Low Fidelity” type of music characterized mainly by its imperfections in a way that there are misplayed notes, background (or natural) noises, and phonographic sound, among other intentionally unedited recordings.

Whether it’s an originally composed sound or familiar music that’s been turned into a lo-fi version, frequent listeners of the genre are quick to notice the common styles included—those imperfections mentioned above and even some snippets of video game sound effects mostly from Nintendo because of some video game titles’ chill background music.

While searching for lo-fi music on YouTube will include the peaceful to chill vibes type of picture, the genre has become popular recently to the point there are various playlists on music streaming platforms such as Spotify, even creating their own lo-fi playlist in case there are curious first-timers who want to sample the music first.

Lo-fi music isn’t lengthy compared to listening to a song or even covers; rather, it can be described as something just enough for people to calm down, but once you realize its calming effect, you want to listen to more. Searching for lo-fi music usually comes in a playlist, if not on a loop, with YouTube channels even providing live lo-fi, so you can listen almost endlessly.

The logic behind the lo-fi generation

Listening to lo-fi as an adult or making your parents appreciate the genre might come with mixed reactions, just as there are various explanations for why it helps people focus more and even reduces anxiety.

Parents might notice that the beats are similar and nostalgic to ‘90s vibes, and they are not wrong. So, why does this music arrangement cater even more to young people today?

The first possibility might stem from the fact that lo-fi music is mostly lacking in lyrics (unless, again, it’s a lo-fi cover of songs, but sometimes these are made to be just instrumental) on which there is evidence that human cognitive abilities improve when listening to non-lyrical background music.

Remember that before lo-fi music became a thing, people swore by classical music that having it played in the background brings about the same calming and productive effect as what is being attributed to listening to lo-fi nowadays. Then again, the most accepted explanation behind the productivity-inducing power of lo-fi lies in it being a mellow type of background music. Music played as we work or relax stimulates listeners to get things done.

Whether working out in a gym or working shifts in the office, the staying power of having something play in the background can distract or improve performance.

Lo-Fi-Music-Explained

The Mozart Effect and Lo-Fi

Another common theory in which lo-fi is becoming involved has something to do with the Mozart Effect. This is when individuals who listen to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s music are said to impact one’s intelligence positively.

Scientists would further explain this theory in detail by discussing that hearing even a fragment of the famous classical musician’s pieces—say around 5-10 minutes—could temporarily improve visual-spatial reasoning.

Likewise, Mozart’s music produces therapeutic effects such as alleviating anxiety, hypertension, and even epilepsy before they can attack.

However, it was soon discovered that any music preference may produce the same beneficial effects; it depends on the person’s choice of music where he finds his comfort zone to continue his tasks. A person can even do his homework comfortably while listening to rock music if he wants to.

The mellow and relaxing kind

Lo-fi makes the perfect background music when studying, relaxing, or even doing daily chores at home because it’s precisely that: it’s background noise without the lyrics, which keeps listeners more focused on the task at hand rather than singing along.

This is the kind of background noise that is mellow yet upbeat, which prevents listeners from falling asleep. Instead of feeling drowsy, lo-fi music sets the mood whether one is preparing to nap or just getting started with a productive period.

Most lo-fi music—depending on the playlist you choose—offers a variety of sounds that could fit your mood, whatever it is you’re preparing for.

Before you sigh, try lo-fi

If you are into music with low tempo, less high-frequency sound, deep bass, and anything that’s not loud or distracting, then you must try lo-fi music.

It’s fairly easy to get involved with the lo-fi community—whether you are creating your own lo-fi beats or simply getting into the genre—because of how simple it is to record the music and the way that there is a nostalgic vibe to it, even if a classic song or your parents’ favorite 80s to 90s songs are not in its lo-fi version.

On a final note, one of the reasons why young people easily take to and appreciate the lo-fi genre is because of hardly noticeable imperfections. Instead, such imperfections that make up low-fidelity sounds bring together a community of people with varying sound preferences—even connecting today’s generation with adults who have this sense of throwback listening to an old radio back in their day.

Lo-fi is a pause whatever genre of music you are into. So, if you feel like your head’s nodding off, or you are about to sigh from too much pressure with workload, don’t cry, try lo-fi.

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