Let’s face it, not many people are studying without their earbuds these days. Just as you wouldn’t step into the boxing ring to the sounds of Kenny G.’s greatest hits, listening to something so lyrically based as Kanye, or scream laden, as Mastodon, probably wouldn’t be conducive to studying. 

The following is a brief guide of albums created less with the arena in mind and a little more for the library mindset. 

The title of Nicolas Jaar’s debut album, Space is Only Sound, is the beginning of an idea that becomes more fleshed out as the album itself begins to unravel.

 Nicolas sings, “Space is only time that you can see.” It’s an idea that’s a bit abstract; but it goes along with the name Jaar has been making for himself. He is a student, studying comparative Literature at Brown University, and would often create his album while studying or reading a difficult text. He begins DJ sets with Angelo Badalemanti’s opening theme from Twin Peaks. 

He then mixes a Jay-Z accapella track into an excerpt of (Radiohead) Jonny Greenwood’s soundtrack to There Will Be Blood. He never ceases to amaze by breaking “the electronic artist” mold but always creates a facility for thought.                                                                      

Do Make Say Think is an instrumental band that has been around since 1995. It was created to provide the soundtrack for a youth production in Canada. 

They practiced in an empty classroom and painted, “Do, Make, Say, Think” on the walls as inspiration. Later, this became more than inspiration as it became the title of their second album. 

Inspiration seems to be the key notion in this band’s world as each song seems to come out of one single note and build, seemingly from nowhere. 

The sound is a bundle of woodsy folk, and light classical music elements with occasional wordless singing and lyrics of a contemporary “indie” style. 

Thanks to Miles Davis’ tumultuous past involving drug addiction and “living like a true hustler” according to his autobiography, there is a mix of different styles and eras. 

Kind of Blue, definitely his most popular album, has many songs to soothe and relax you through cramming related anxieties; But later things, like Bitches Brew, are regarded as some of the most important in jazz history. Jazz, as a whole, seems to promote a great deal of free thought while absorbing information but I find that Miles, especially The Bitches Brew Sessions, brings a great deal of inspiration. I suggest listening through his entire discography of, course.

Kieren Hebden, under the moniker Four Tet, has been releasing albums that walk a tightrope directly between ecstatic and melancholic since 1997. 

He incorporates jazz elements with samples and electronic beats that are glitchy and jittery with slowly building, drawn-out melodies. There’s a duality to his music that is creative and manic while meditative and thoughtful all at once. 

For more than a decade, artists and producers have been asked one simple task, to create the ultimate DJ set for an imaginary after party or “late night session.” The Late Night Tales series is a collection of the records that have inspired artists to be who they are today as well as new favorites that continue to form them. 

They usually end with a spoken word piece by other artists like Bootsy Collins and, british novelist and journalist, Will Self. They also include at least one cover of a song of choice by the artist. 

This creates an intimate atmosphere for the artist to show the listener what makes him or her tick. It also creates an atmosphere that is ideal for learning and creating. Such artists as Air, Belle and Sebastian, Flaming Lips, MGMT and Cinematic Orchestra, have participated, as well as producers like Fatboy Slim, Four Tet, and Nightmares on Wax, to name a few. 

Now, go study.