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Chill-out music (sometimes also chillout, chill out or simply chill) is a genre of electronic music and an umbrella term for several styles of electronic music characterized by their mellow style and mid-tempo beats—"chill" being derived from a slang injunction to "relax".

Chill-out music emerged in the early and mid-1990s in "chill rooms" at dance clubs, where relaxing music was played to allow dancers a chance to "chill out" from the more emphatic and fast-tempo music played on the main dance floor.

The genres associated with chill-out are mostly ambient, trip hop, nu jazz, ambient house and other subgenres of downtempo. Sometimes the easy listening sub genre lounge is considered to belong to the chill-out collection as well. Chill out as a musical genre or description is synonymous with the more recently popularized terms "smooth electronica" and "soft techno" and is a loose genre of music blurring into several other very distinct styles of electronic and lo-fi music.[1]

Monstercat has not assigned Chillout a color yet, making Chillout songs fall under grey. It is important to note that the genres below usually, but not always, go under Chillout for labeling purposes.

Subgenres[]

Ambient[]

A genre of music that emphasizes tone and atmosphere over traditional musical structure or rhythm. A form of slow instrumental music, it uses repetitive, but gentle, soothing sound patterns that can be described as sonic wallpaper to complement or alter one’s space and to generate a sense of calmness.

Downtempo[]

A genre of electronic music similar to ambient music, but with a greater emphasis on beats and a less "earthy" sound than trip hop.

Lo-Fi Hip Hop[]

A form of Downtempo music that combines elements of hip hop and chillout music that was popularized in the 2010s on Youtube.

New Age[]

A type of music intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation and optimism, also used for yoga and meditation. It was first introduced in the 60s by Tony Scott's Music For Zen Meditation.

Space Ambient[]

A subgenre of New Age music derived from ambient music, often described as tranquil, hypnotic and moving, that also evokes a feeling of contemplative spaciousness.

Trip Hop[]

A bass-heavy drumbeat, often providing the slowed down break beat samples similar to standard 1990's Hip Hop beats, giving the genre a more psychedelic and mainstream feel. Vocals in trip hop are often female and feature characteristics of various singing styles including R&B, jazz and rock. Ethereal soundscapes built upon hip-work breakbeat drum frameworks. Relatively broad in mood, ranging from sounds you'd hear in a coffe shop, with jazz / swing influences to compositions in very deep, bassy settings. Delay and reverb are effects used very liberally to achieve profound and immersive sonic creations. Vocal & synth pads are used as supporting elements to build ambience. An emphasis on groove, with syncopated / swung rhythms, is to be expected.

References[]

[ vte ] Alphabetical List of Chillout Songs (Genre)
S
Satellite SymphonyScandalScandal (Classical)ScaredSecond ChanceSecret SignsA Self PortraitShadowSharvariShattered RosesShinjuku To SingibashiSolid PathSolitudeSomething About Mesomething about usSongbirdSorrowSouls (Harold-Alexis Remix)Souls (Rod V Remix)The Sound Of Holding OnSoundscape To ParisThe Space Betweenspadina 3amSparkSpeed of LightA Spiritual CallingSpiritual Food (Interlude)Stars (2015 Rework)StasisStay (Vince Forwards)stay (zensei ゼンセー)StellarStorm (Harold-Alexis Remix)Strictly For The LoveThe Sunlight's Last TouchSunsetSunspinSunspin (2015 Rework)Suppress Your SorrowsSurlaSweet BitternessSyntharsiaSynthetic (We Are All Astronauts 'Post-Rock' Remix)
{{Downtempo songs}}
[ vte ] Alphabetical List of Downtempo Songs (Genre)
A
Above In WhiteAcamarAcross The Desert PlainAcureAdrift In The Borderless SeaAfterAfter So LongÀiAirAll I Say (Soarsweep Chillout Mix)All The BeautyAllureAlmost HomeAlone With YouAltitudesAmethystAndromedaAngelAngelsAnthraciteAnythingAquamarineAquaticaArchitect's Dream (Album Reconstruction)Architect's Dream (Owen Ear Remix)Architect's Dream (Turismo Remix) Around The CornerAs Far Off As You Are (Andora Jane Remix)AshAsmaraAstral EscapeAstral PremonitionAurora (Liam Thomas)AuroraAutumn (Claes Rosen)Autumn (Vintage & Morelli)Autumn (Invisible Sounds 'Slow Down' Remix)Autumn (Michael Witness 'Autumn In Russia' Remix)Autumn (Michael Witness Chillout Remix)Awaken (Dream Version)Awaken Sleepwalker (SineRider Remix)A104
K
KamaKarman LineKjoerKomorebi
S
Sacred WoodsSailing SouthSailor's Cry (Cressida Remix)SamenessSanctuary (Glaue)Sanctuary (Jay FM)SanctumSandbox HeroSands Of TimeSanta MonicaScornedScreaming Heart (Asten pres. Antispace Remix)Secret Of The ForestShaolin SessionsShenShiveredSing Me To SleepSistersskin sparksSky Is Crying For UsSkyline (Acoustic)Skyline (Classical)SlipstreamSoaring Through The Eternal Blue SkiesSolar FlareSoldiersSoldiers (Manu Zain Remix)Somebody Like YouSomething UnseenSonarSoul RemedyThe SoulflayerSoulsSouth (Manu Zain)South (SineRider)SpiritSpiritualizeStardustStarting LineA State Of MindStay CloseStoriesStormStrawberry (Gridlocked Remix)SummitSun (Orion & J.Shore Remix)Sun ShowersSunday AfternoonSunray KissSunray Kiss (Lime Time Remix)SunriseSunset In TokyoSupersonicSydney Sleeps Alone Tonight
Numbers & Symbols
18 Days
{{Chillout songs}}
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