All Songs Considered

All Songs Considered: Even more songs to calm the nerves

March 3, 2026

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  • This episode of All Songs Considered, "Even more songs to calm the nerves," continues the series by curating music specifically intended to lower anxiety, featuring ambient, instrumental, and emotionally resonant tracks. 
  • The hosts emphasize that music for calming nerves doesn't have to be strictly ambient, but often includes longer tracks that allow the listener to enter a trance-like state without interruption. 
  • A significant portion of the episode focused on hopeful and uplifting music, exemplified by Max Richter's 'All Human Beings' from 'Voices,' which is inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, contrasting with the overall somber theme. 

Segments

Intentional Alcohol Consumption
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(00:00:14)
  • Key Takeaway: Reassessing one’s relationship with alcohol is a good idea, focusing on routines and intentionality to stay grounded.
  • Summary: A recent headline suggested people are drinking like it’s 2020, prompting a discussion on intentional reduction of alcohol intake. Maintaining routines is cited as a method for staying grounded amidst exceptions and crises. The speaker notes they are drinking far less than in previous years through intentional choices.
Third Calming Songs Installment
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(00:01:40)
  • Key Takeaway: This episode of All Songs Considered is the third installment in the ‘Songs to Calm the Nerves’ series, following previous playlists that ironically included Grindcore and Death Metal.
  • Summary: The hosts acknowledge this is the third installment of ‘Songs to Calm the Nerves,’ noting the previous episodes featured contrasting genres like heavy metal. They suggest that while ambient music is often sought for calming effects, various music types can achieve this goal. The hosts note a balance in the current playlist, with some selections being sonically noisier than expected.
The Choir’s Instrumental Debut
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(00:02:37)
  • Key Takeaway: The Choir’s track ‘You Don’t Have To Smile’ is from their first-ever instrumental album, ‘Translucent,’ released in January 2025.
  • Summary: The Choir, known since the early 80s primarily as a Christian rock band featuring vocalist Derry Daugherty, released their first instrumental album, ‘Translucent.’ The music is described as cathedral-swelling ambient music that still conveys the band’s characteristic wonder and curiosity. The track played is ‘You Don’t Have To Smile.’
Orbital Patterns Ambient Electronic
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(00:06:13)
  • Key Takeaway: Orbital Patterns is the project of Michigan-based electronic artist Abdul Alam, whose track ‘Can’t Tell If I’m Awake’ is from the extended version of his 2023 album, ‘Extended Imposter Syndrome.’
  • Summary: The track ‘Can’t Tell If I’m Awake’ is an extended ambient piece designed to lull the listener into a trance, fitting a playlist dedicated to long, continuous listening. The music’s source is somewhat ambiguous, possibly involving guitars run through pedals or synthesizers. The hosts appreciate music that allows for long stretches of uninterrupted listening.
Sakamoto and Alva Noto Collaboration
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(00:10:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto’s collaboration on ‘Logic Moon’ from the album ‘Insen’ provided a moment of calming synchronization during a period of high anxiety for one host.
  • Summary: The track ‘Logic Moon’ features Sakamoto’s sparse piano notes alongside digital glitches from Alva Noto, which one host found unnerving yet ultimately synchronistic with a visual experience. The hosts express surprise that Sakamoto hadn’t been featured on previous ‘calming songs’ episodes, given his reputation for perfect calming music. The album ‘Insen’ is part of a handful of stunning collaborations between the two artists.
Leah Bertucci Avant-Garde Strings
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(00:17:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Leah Bertucci, a New York-based composer and improviser known for saxophone, voice, and electronics, offers pastoral ambient music, exemplified by the string-only track ‘Vapours.’
  • Summary: ‘Vapours’ features only strings (violin, viola, cello) performed by the Quarteto Maurice, lacking Bertucci’s usual saxophone work. The music is characterized by tangible textures, including the sound of the bow dragging across the strings, which adds a sense of humanity. The piece evokes pastoral imagery suitable for soundtracking a Terrence Malick film.
Hayden Pedigo’s Optimistic Storytelling
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(00:21:56)
  • Key Takeaway: Hayden Pedigo’s new song ‘Long Pond Lily’ from the upcoming album ‘I’ll Be Waving As You Drive Away’ offers reassuring, non-blind optimism through rich instrumental storytelling.
  • Summary: Hayden Pedigo is highlighted as a storyteller without words, using acoustic guitar, rippling electric guitar, drums, and pedal steel to create an image of community problem-solving. The music is described as having a steady, calming hand rather than just being escapist. The album title suggests bittersweet farewells that are accepted with fondness.
Max Richter’s Human Rights Tribute
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(00:27:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Max Richter’s 2020 album ‘Voices’ is a stirring tribute to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, featuring readings by figures like Eleanor Roosevelt alongside gorgeous music.
  • Summary: The featured track, ‘All Human Beings,’ opens with a reading of the Declaration’s preamble by Eleanor Roosevelt, who chaired the drafting committee. The album serves as an uplifting reminder that humanity deserves love and connection, countering despair. The host asserts that love ultimately wins the long fight because hate is brittle and unstable.
Wayne Shorter Brazilian Jazz Fusion
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(00:33:51)
  • Key Takeaway: Wayne Shorter’s 1975 album ‘Native Dancer,’ featuring Milton Nascimento, created an influential fusion sound that is neither strictly Brazilian popular music nor pure jazz.
  • Summary: The track ‘Tarde’ features Shorter’s saxophone alongside Herbie Hancock on electric piano and Milton Nascimento’s vocals, embodying a longing characteristic of Brazilian music. This record represents a popular trend where New York jazz musicians incorporated Brazilian elements, finding a ’third way’ of music. The song is suggested as perfect for winding down a late-night gathering.
Mabe Fratti Cello and Voice Resonance
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(00:38:50)
  • Key Takeaway: Guatemalan cellist Mabe Fratti, whose work is compared to Arthur Russell’s, utilizes the cello’s full vocal range to create deeply resonant, human-centered compositions like ‘El Sol Sigue Ahí.’
  • Summary: The cello is noted as the only instrument encompassing the entire range of the human voice, allowing the player to be enveloped by the vibrations. Fratti’s work is inspired by artists who maximize the cello’s expressive capabilities, such as Arthur Russell. The track ‘El Sol Sigue Ahí’ (The Sun is Still Here) showcases her beautiful orchestration and vocal integration.
Ida’s Comforting Reunion Music
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(00:43:42)
  • Key Takeaway: The band Ida, recently reactivated for reunion shows, offers music like ‘Don’t Get Sad’ that acknowledges pain while encouraging perseverance through simple, comforting imagery.
  • Summary: Seeing Ida live was an emotional experience for the host, who values live music communion for settling nerves. ‘Don’t Get Sad’ from their 2000 album ‘Will You Find Me?’ features unadorned lyrics encouraging a walk to move away from sadness. The hosts suggest a future episode dedicated to ‘hanging in there’ songs like this one.
Górecki’s Profound Symphony
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(00:48:39)
  • Key Takeaway: Henryk Górecki’s Symphony No. 3, Op. 36 (‘Symphony of Sorrowful Songs’), particularly the opening movement ‘Lento,’ is a breathtaking piece that reveals the universe’s soul through quiet, building repetition.
  • Summary: The ‘Lento’ movement starts almost inaudibly with cellos and builds slowly through repeating melodic lines, often moving listeners to tears through sheer beauty. This version features soprano Dawn Upshaw, though recent versions featuring Beth Gibbons and Lisa Gerrard are also highly recommended. The symphony is considered one of the host’s all-time favorite pieces of music across all genres.