The albums that define
instrumental music.
Our picks for where to start with instrumental music — with a one-line read on why each one matters.
Top instrumental music artists
Start with one of these.
The instrumental music essentials
Twenty-four picks. Press play on any of them.
Yanni
Optimystique
A lush tapestry of melodic instrumentals that evoke dreamlike landscapes and emotional journeys.
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Yanni
Niki Nana
A lush tapestry of instrumental melodies intertwining with rhythmic elements, evoking a sense of serene exploration.
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Kaki King
The Neck Is a Bridge to the Body
A delicate tapestry of intricate guitar work and ambient soundscapes that evoke deep emotional landscapes.
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Kaki King
...Until We Felt Red
A vibrant tapestry of intricate guitar work and layered textures that evoke a sense of introspection.
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Michel Legrand
Noël ! Noël !! Noël !!!
A lush orchestral tapestry woven with jazz-inflected arrangements and classic holiday charm.
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Bert Kaempfert
Christmas Wonderland
Orchestral arrangements blend with whimsical melodies to create a festive, easy listening atmosphere.
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John Murphy
28 Days Later: The Soundtrack Album
A haunting blend of ambient tension and melodic resonance that encapsulates a post-apocalyptic atmosphere.
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Twelve Girls Band
Beautiful Energy
A vibrant tapestry of traditional Chinese melodies intertwined with contemporary instrumental arrangements.
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Twelve Girls Band
Meili Yinyuehui
A vibrant blend of traditional Chinese instruments and contemporary arrangements that evoke a celebratory spirit.
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Audiomachine
Magnus
Epic orchestral arrangements merge with electronic elements, creating a cinematic soundscape that evokes grand narratives.
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Audiomachine
Epica
Epic orchestral arrangements blend with electronic elements, crafting an immersive soundscape for cinematic storytelling.
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Bell Orchestre
As Seen Through Windows
An orchestral tapestry woven with intricate textures and emotive melodies that evoke a sense of wonder.
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Bell Orchestre
Recording a Tape the Colour of the Light
A mesmerizing blend of orchestral textures and minimalist arrangements that evoke a dreamlike landscape.
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E.S. Posthumus
Cartographer
A sweeping orchestral soundscape intertwines with modern electronic elements, creating an evocative auditory journey.
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E.S. Posthumus
Unearthed
A sweeping orchestral soundscape that marries cinematic grandeur with experimental instrumentation.
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Jónsi & Alex
Riceboy Sleeps
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Ray Lynch
Nothing Above My Shoulders but the Evening
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Ray Lynch
No Blue Thing
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W. G. Snuffy Walden
Fountain & Vine
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Raphael Rabello
Relendo Dilermando Reis
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Blotted Science
The Machinations of Dementia
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Disparition
Transmutations
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Disparition
Neukrk
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