Planet Jarre cover

Planet Jarre

Jean-Michel Jarre · 2018

220 min · 54 tracks · ambient music

A sweeping journey through electronic soundscapes that echoes the evolution of ambient music over five decades.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Oxygène 1 Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Oxygène 4 — This track is a quintessential example of Jarre's ability to blend melodic structure with pioneering synthesizer techniques, making it a standout in both his discography and ambient music overall.
  • →
    Équinoxe 5 — Featuring ethereal synth lines and rhythmic pulses, this track encapsulates the essence of Jarre's early work while demonstrating his enduring relevance and innovation.
  • →
    Waiting for Cousteau — As one of Jarre's most atmospheric pieces, it immerses listeners in a sonic experience reflecting environmental themes, which are increasingly pertinent today.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
65 /100
Treeline
Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

The album effectively blends Jarre's classic motifs with new interpretations, creating a cohesive sonic journey.

What we noticed

  • The album features a continuous flow of sound, with tracks transitioning seamlessly into one another without distinct breaks.
  • Several pieces incorporate rhythmic elements that pulse in and out, providing a dynamic contrast to the ambient soundscapes.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
9/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing for deep focus
  • sonic journey through time
  • dynamic exploration of themes
  • background warmth for creative tasks
  • captivating soundscapes for contemplation

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking instant gratification tracks
  • prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — A retrospective that revisits past work, appealing to dedicated fans of Jarre.
Themes
sonic time travel· environmental reflection· electronic innovation
Moods
Ethereal· Focus
Career context
Released in 2018, Planet Jarre marks Jean-Michel Jarre's 50th anniversary in music, celebrating his legacy as a pioneer of electronic and ambient genres. This album compiles iconic tracks alongside new material, showcasing his innovative spirit during a time when he was reestablishing his presence in the contemporary music scene following several years of sporadic releases.
Stylistic neighbors
Vangelis· Klaus Schulze· Tangerine Dream
New to Jean-Michel Jarre? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 5

  • 1 Oxygène 1 Start here 7:40
  • 2 Oxygène 19 5:01
  • 3 Rendez-vous 1 2:55
  • 4 Millions of Stars 5:39
  • 5 Chronology 1 3:23
  • 6 Oxygène 20 5:30
  • 7 Équinoxe 2 5:01
  • 8 Waiting for Cousteau 3:00
  • 9 The Heart of Noise (Origin) 2:36

Disc 6

  • 1 Industrial Revolution 2 2:22
  • 2 Oxygène 4 3:46
  • 3 Équinoxe 5 3:45
  • 4 Oxygène 2 5:25
  • 5 Zoolookologie 3:44
  • 6 Bells 2:05
  • 7 Équinoxe 4 5:32
  • 8 Magnetic Fields 2 3:58
  • 9 Rendez-vous 2 (Laser Harp) 2:20
  • 10 Rendez-vous 4 4:09
  • 11 Chronology 4 4:08

Disc 7

  • 1 Coachella Opening 3:59
  • 2 Arpeggiator 6:15
  • 3 Automatic 1 2:58
  • 4 Exit 5:45
  • 5 Équinoxe 7 3:35
  • 6 Oxygène 8 5:24
  • 7 Stardust 4:37
  • 8 Herbalizer 3:26
  • 9 Révolutions 3:23

Disc 8

  • 1 Ethnicolor 3:30
  • 2 Souvenir of China 4:00
  • 3 Blah Blah Cafe 3:22
  • 4 Music for Supermarkets (demo excerpt) 2:04
  • 5 Roseland / Le Pays de Rose 2:03
  • 6 La Cage 3:09
  • 7 Erosmachine 2:59
  • 8 Hypnose 3:27
  • 9 The Song of the Burnt Barns / La Chanson Des Granges Brulées 2:45
  • 10 Happiness is a Sad Song 5:51
  • 11 Aor Bleu 3:09
  • 12 Last Rendez-vous 4:08

Disc 9

  • 1 Introduction 0:35
  • 2 Circus (5.1 mix) 3:13
  • 3 Équinoxe 2 (5.1 mix) 5:02
  • 4 Équinoxe 5 (5.1 mix) 5:24
  • 5 Exit (5.1 mix) 5:44
  • 6 Oxygène 15 (5.1 mix) 6:56
  • 7 Oxygène 17 (5.1 mix) 4:38
  • 8 Oxygène 2 (5.1 mix) 5:24
  • 9 Stardust (5.1 mix) 4:41
  • 10 Switched On Leon (5.1 mix) 4:46
  • 11 Coachella Opening (5.1 mix) 4:00
  • 12 Souvenir of China (5.1 mix) 4:02
  • 13 Zoolookologie (5.1 mix) 3:47

What to play next

Équinoxe Infinity
Listen next

Équinoxe Infinity

2018

Continues the ethereal soundscapes with a modern twist, enhancing the journey.
Oxygène 3
Go back to

Oxygène 3

2016

Precedes Planet Jarre with similar themes and sonic experimentation.
Full Jean-Michel Jarre discography Where to start with Jean-Michel Jarre Artists like Jean-Michel Jarre

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Ambient 1: Music for Airports

Ambient 1: Music for Airports

Brian Eno

Explores ethereal soundscapes with a focus on creating immersive sonic environments.

Long Ambients 1: Calm. Sleep.

Long Ambients 1: Calm. Sleep.

Moby

Shares the ambient ethos with extended compositions designed for relaxation and reflection.

Silk Road

Silk Road

Kitarō

Combines electronic elements with natural sounds, evoking a sense of journey through time and space.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata