For each Whitelabrecs release, I chat with the artist to see what ideas we can come up with for a blog post and towards the end of last year, these blog posts have become a weekly thing. I absolutely love pulling these posts together and I think it's the combination of longform content and the creativity. I guess I'm pretty comfortable going into detail about things and as an artist, always yearning to do something more creative. There's so much short, snappy content out there in the world on social media, it's nice to spend a bit more time setting things out, so that more of a story can be told and I think blog posts offer a really nice opportunity to do just that.

Of course, what makes these blog post that bit more manageable and dare I say, interesting, is that the artists are involved. For the first time, I hit a bit of a stumbling block when putting together ideas for a blog post for the Sleeplaboratory5.0 compilation album, in that we have 12 artists involved rather than 1! The Sleeplaboratory series is all about sleep and the artists created minimal, restful music to provide a sleepy environment for the listener. I became curious about what each of the artists might listen to, to get into a relaxed, sleepy state. So I simply asked all of the artists featured in this latest compilation, 'what track or album would you most associate with sleep and why?'. The sounds in the compilation itself are a diverse range of ideas yet, I'm not sure why, I half expected a selection of drone records. Instead, we have a really rich and vibrant range of music here from across many styles and spanning over 50 years!

I've put together a mix of all of these selections for you, which can be listened to by hitting the play button below. As you listen, take a read to see what the artists have to say. You can also visit the Mixcloud page HERE. If you like what you hear and want a track ID, see the tracklist and timestamp at the bottom of the page. Finally, just a shout-out to the wonderful George Korunov who once again has provided some stunning artwork to accompany this mix!

Knivtid
On Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works Volume 2

A standout memory is of a cold and snowy winter when I was still living at my parents house in a suburb of Stockholm. I had just gotten Selected Ambient Works vol 2 by Aphex Twin and spent every night listening to those tracks. Especially the third track, often called rhubarb, which sent me into this relaxed sleepy state.

Tides
On Alan Dear's Fragmented Sleep

This album is more than just music; it’s an experience that transports you to an enchanting, otherworldly soundscape. Through the masterful layering of whispering found sounds and delicate, fragmented melodies, it creates an atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive. Each track flows seamlessly into the next, drawing you deeper into its ethereal world. The subtle intricacies in the production invite repeated listens, with new details revealing themselves each time. It’s not just an auditory experience—it’s a meditative journey, perfect for moments when you want to lose yourself in sound.

Whether you’re a fan of experimental music or simply someone who appreciates artistry that pushes boundaries, this album offers a rare opportunity to escape the noise of daily life and immerse yourself in something truly unique.

Mark David Hadley
On Lawrence English's Lassitude

I often listen to “drone” style music when I am relaxing or trying to wind down at the end of the day, before sleep. The inherently slow pace and focus on subtlety in this style of music helps to move my mind to a calmer place. Lassitude is one of my favourite pieces in this style, it is beautiful and incredibly a live performance on a real organ!

Kevin Paczesny
On Alaskan Tapes' Sleeping Since Last Year

I can't say that Ambient puts me in any state of drowsiness. Ambient to me is more of a way to calm me and explore my spiritual emotions. But I did find this album from Alaskan Tapes titled Sleeping Since Last Year. Just beautiful, airy and calming music to relax your mind to. Brady a.k.a. Alaskan tapes from Toronto Canada is definitely one of my musical inspirations.

Bevan Smith (one half of Feeling Flying)
On Gavin Bryars' The Sinking of the Titanic

Andrew [Thomas] lent me 'The sinking of the Titanic' by Gavin Bryars a long while ago and it's very deep and hypnotic.

Henrik Meierkord
On Biosphere's Substrata

Biosphere’s Substrata is one of my absolute ambient albums, I always listened to this in stressful times and fell asleep quite quick, an album that I never get tired of, like the voice of Gagarin together with Geirs syntheseizers.

The Bird's Companion
On Jakob Bro's Lyskaster

The music of ECM records often instills a sense of dreaminess for me, and no piece is more dreamy than this one by Danish guitarist Jakob Bro. There's a sense of exploration on this solo guitar piece, as if Bro doesn't know what's coming next, but at the same time, there's a sense of assurance, as each note is carefully considered before it's played. The end result is an open landscape of subtle melodies and textures; the perfect canvas for dreams.

Jolanda Moletta
On Hildegard von Bingen's Celestial Hierarchy

Here are a few words about meditation/relaxing music I'm usually listening to. It was very hard to choose one thing! I have been listening a lot to Hildegard von Bingen's compositions lately, especially on cold winter mornings. Listening to her music fills me with a profound sense of peace and tranquility, as if each note gently wraps me in warmth, lifting my spirit and calming my mind. It's as if her music gently whispers hope and serenity into my soul, transforming my mood with each note. This practice sets a positive tone for the rest of my day. It helps me remain centered and balanced, even amidst the chaos of daily life. As I go about my day, the lingering resonance of her melodies continues to guide and inspire me.

Party Siliuse
On Robin Guthrie & Harold Budd's Bordeaux

I think it will be Harold Budd and Robin Guthrie’s Bordeaux or Another Flower. This music is one of the best guides to the world of dreams.

Ozbolt
On Devendra Banhart and Noah Georgeson's Horn In Deep Night

This song to me is like a weighted blanket that's being pulled over a coniferous forest - stopping the sap in its tracks and trading daytime facts for the unmapped woo. I feel personally addressed by the flute and it takes me right back to the Croatian mountains, every time.

Marco Lucchi
On Max Richter's Sleep

The most remarkable ‘sleep music’ to me is the project “Sleep” by Max Richter. Completely satisfying and moving, to me his best work. I can add that in 2017 I took part in a ‘sleep concert’ with the Italian ensemble Enten Hitti. A lovely experience.

Calm Pieces
On Kohachiro Miyata & Rodrigo Rodriguez' Shakuhachi

In times of greater activity I suffer periods of difficulty in maintaining sleep; to combat this I usually listen to music, and from the repertoire I use I would highlight the following: the music for shakuhachi by Kōhachiro Miyata or John Cage "Litany for the Whale" (1980).

Andrew Thomas (one half of Feeling Flying)
On Harold Budd & Brian Eno's The Pearl and Cocteau Twins & Harold Budd's The Moon and the Melodies

With regards to your question about music to sleep to, I don't tend to listen to ambient music for that purpose anymore. Many decades ago I used to listen to 'The moon and the melodies' - by Harold Budd and the Cocteau twins, to drift off to. Also, The Pearl - by Harold Budd and Brian Eno.

rhubiqs
On Radiohead's Kid A

My answer would be Radiohead’s Kid A. I used to listen to this CD when I was 16/17 (over 20 years ago!) to help myself fall to sleep. I vividly remember always getting about as far as ‘How To Disappear Completely’ before drifting off. It was the first music I ever successfully used to help myself sleep and so I will forever associate it with that period of my life for that reason.

Marco Lucchi
On The Beatles' Good Night

My first feeling of ‘music for sleep’ is “Good night” from the White Album of the Beatles. I was just a kid, but that ‘disneyan’ ending really reached me.

Full Tracklist:

Aphex Twin - #3
Alan Dear - Sov
Lawrence English - Lassitude
Alaskan Tapes - Shape of Things
Gavin Bryars - The Sinking of the Titanic (Live, Bourges - April 13-14, 1990)
Biosphere - Poa Alpina
Jakob Bro - Lyskaster
Hildegard von Bingen - O spectabiles viri (Antiphon to the Patriarchs and Prophets)
Robin Guthrie & Harold Budd - Gaze
Devendra Banhart & Noah Georgeson - Horn In Deep Night
Max Richter – Space 2 (slow waves)
Kohachiro Miyata & Rodrigo Rodriguez - Shakuhachi
Harold Budd & Brian Eno – Still Return
Radiohead - Kid A
Cocteau Twins & Harold Budd – Why Do You Love Me?
The Beatles – Good Night

If you enjoyed this blog post and the sleepy theme, you can check out the Sleeplaboratory5.0 compilation album, in which all of the artists above are involved! Click HERE or you can click the play button on the player below...