Music Recommendation for Audiophiles - I

Audiophiles are enthusiasts who love everything about the world of sound. They are critically meticulous when it comes to choosing the best DAP(s), IEM(s), headphones, amplifiers and audio cables - all for an extraordinary and immersive listening experience. Audiophiles have an exceptional eye for details because the output of a device is what matters the most to them. They are extremely curious about latest technological advancements and often keep themselves updated with latest trends. An enhanced and superior experience of listening to music is what they strive on, not just for themselves but also for those around.

The world of music offers a huge variety of genres with some of most amazingly produced tracks that may easily tickle the eardrums of a common music listener. But for an Audiophile, the tracks and albums that pay enough attention to production details, sonic character of tracks produced and are mastered with a wide dynamic range are the ones that stand out from the rest. A lot of websites offer downloadable Hi-Res Audio in various formats (DSD, FLAC or ALAC) which are easily a treat for the ears.

The good news for Audiophiles is that a lot of international artists these days favour recording and mastering their albums in Hi-Res Audio formats. These formats offer an exquisitely superior sound quality. A lot of previously mastered albums are being re-mastered taking their production and listening experience to the next level.

With an increasingly high number of artists adapting to this much-needed change, we could not help but share some of the most amazing tracks produced over the years with you. These tracks will not only give your Hi-fi a decent workout but also give you a unique and unparalleled music experience.

DON’T KNOW WHY – NORAH JONES

Written by Jessie Harris in 1999 and released as a single in 2002 worldwide, this track not only brought Norah Jones into the limelight as a mainstream artist but also launched her to stardom. The guitar parts, the brushed drums and the acoustic bass makes the track sound ‘Jazzy” with a perfect unthreatening blend of “Pop”. Extremely soothing piano and Norah’s warm and intimate vocals will sound unimaginably amazing to the ears.

ALWAYS IN MY HEAD – COLDPLAY

The first song from the album “Ghost Stories” is a sweeping ambient track that sets the mood of the entire album. Written by Chris Martin, Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland and Will Champion, despite the use of drum machine, the bass and the guitars go so well together. The synth makes it even more atmospheric and the ambient sounds used will surely make you close your eyes and enjoy this epic creation by Coldplay. Chris Martin’s vocals sound promising as always.

TRAINS – PORCUPINE TREE

This track from the album “In Absentia” is a pure bliss. The perfect blend of modern ambient acoustic passages, melancholic vocals by Steven Wilson, synths and heavy guitars towards the end will make you listen to this track on loop. Perfect usage of a wide musical space, extraordinary textures and hypnotic tones.

TIME – PINK FLOYD

Fourth track from the album “Dark Side Of The Moon”, was released as a single in 1973. You will be hooked to the song right from the beginning. There is nothing in this track that will not make you fall in love with it. The bass, the drums, soulful vocals, mind numbing guitar riffs and the captivating music. This is truly a masterpiece.

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY –QUEEN

Considered as one of the greatest rock songs of all time, downloaded or streamed over 1.6 billion times. In December 2018, it became the most streamed song of the 20^th century. Written by the legend Freddie Mercury, this track does not have a chorus at all. It has six different segments. A ballad segment, an operatic passage, a reflective coda and a hard rock segment. Give this masterpiece some serious time and enjoy every bit of it.

So go ahead and stream these tracks on your favourite DAP(s). Experience these masterpieces through your AMP(s), headphones, IEM(s). These songs are sure to broaden your musical horizon in a way that you will never listen to a track the same way as before.

We will keep sharing regular updates, latest news and more recommendations on world music here. So stay tuned, keep enjoying the good music and watch this space for more.

By Atul Pandey