Is this the most relaxing tuneever?

Tue 24th Jan, 2012 in International News

Rather than devoting their efforts to finding a cure for, well, anything a group of British scientists have gone to work and conducted some groundbreaking, hard-hitting research. Their discovery? The most relaxing song ever, “in the history of man”. Hint: it’s not Skrillex.

The honour has gone to British ambient trio Marconi Union for their track, Weightless, which the band apparently produced together with sound therapists. It seems there’s more to it than just being a nice tune – according to ShortList.com Weightless “works by using specific rhythms, tones, frequencies and intervals to relax the listener. A continuous rhythm of 60 BPM causes the brainwaves and heart rate to synchronise with the rhythm: a process known as ‘entrainment’”.

But that’s not all! “Low underlying bass tones relax the listener and a low whooshing sound with a trance-like quality takes the listener into an even deeper state of calm.” Leading UK stress specialist Dr David Lewis explained “Brain imaging studies have shown that music works at a very deep level within the brain, stimulating not only those regions responsible for processing sound but also ones associated with emotions.”

In fact, Weightless is just so relaxing that people are being advised against listening to it while driving. It was also found to be more relaxing than a massage, a walk or, even – wait for it – a cup of tea!

The inquiring minds amongst us may be wondering just who has a stake in this finding. Well, it turns out the study was commissioned by bubble bath and shower gel brand Radox Spa. But hey, just because a study was commercially sponsored doesn’t mean it is isn’t scientifically valid – after all, to reach their finding Radox sampled no fewer than 40 women for their musical preference. Sounds legit.

Also cracking Radox’s Top 10 relaxing tunes (which may or may not have been the only 10 songs used in the study) were DJ Shah at number three with Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix), followed by Enya with Watermark and Coldplay with Strawberry Swing. At number seven on the list were All Saints and Adele’s emotionally-distressing, heartbreak-ballad Someone Like You was at number eight.

So, are these scientists/shower gel makers on the money? Listen to the Marconi Union track below and let us know what you think – just not while you’re driving, remember.