easy listening
popular music genre
Easy listening floats through the air like a gentle breeze on a warm afternoon. With lush arrangements, soothing melodies, and a focus on orchestral instrumentation, it cultivates an atmosphere of calm and nostalgia. You’ll find soft strings, smooth horns, and velvety vocals intertwining seamlessly, creating a soundscape that invites you to relax and reflect. It’s the kind of music that wraps around you, perfect for unwinding after a long day or setting a tranquil mood during intimate gatherings.
Emerging in the late 1950s and flourishing through the 1970s, easy listening was a response to the more frenetic sounds of rock 'n' roll and the counterculture movement. Artists like Frank Sinatra brought sophistication to the genre with his impeccable phrasing and emotive delivery, while the lush production of Mantovani’s orchestras invited listeners into a dreamy world. The genre found its peak with hits from performers like Bert Kaempfert and his instrumental classics, as well as the smooth crooning of singers like James Last who blended pop elements with orchestral backing.
For newcomers venturing into easy listening, start with Frank Sinatra's "Come Fly With Me" for its romantic escapism. Bert Kaempfert's "Wonderland by Night" showcases the lush instrumentals that define the genre. For a taste of soft rock's influence, look to Carpenters’ "Close to You," where Karen Carpenter’s soothing voice shines through sweet harmonies. Lastly, check out Percy Faith's "Theme from A Summer Place" for its iconic orchestral melody. Once you’re hooked, don’t miss exploring related sounds from soft rock or vocal jazz for even more laid-back vibes.
133 artists in the catalog.
Guides for easy listening artists
Top easy listening albums
See essentials
All easy listening artists
The Sandpipers
folk rock
Gică Petrescu
light music
Hugo Montenegro
film score, instrumental music
Tony Sandler
Klaus Wunderlich
classical music, pop music
Horia Moculescu
Johnny Pearson
jazz, pop music
Gontiti
J-pop, instrumental music
Dickie Rock
Bas Sheva
Dan Spătaru
Dianna Agron
jazz, lounge music
Sam Garrett
reggae, traditional folk music
Droxity
alternative rock, indie rock
Juan García Esquivel
exotica, lounge music
DrefQuila
Latin pop, Latin trap
About easy listening
What is easy listening?
popular music genre
Where should I start with easy listening?
Start with "Selections from the Paramount Production Going My Way" by Bing Crosby. It captures what makes easy listening worth exploring.
What are the best easy listening albums?
The easy listening albums worth hearing first: "Selections from the Paramount Production Going My Way" by Bing Crosby, "Holiday Inn" by Bing Crosby, "Carpenters" by The Carpenters, "Esco di rado e parlo ancora meno" by Adriano Celentano and "At This Time" by Burt Bacharach.
How many easy listening artists are there?
northsound.fm covers 133 easy listening artists, each with a recommended starting album and listening path.