From the origins of post-rock/ambient to the present
Text: mmr｜Theme: Post-rock and ambient, from their origins in the 1970s to their future prospects
Post-rock and ambient music have their origins in the experimental spirit of the 1970s, and have continued to evolve amid scenes and technological innovations. Here, we will provide a comprehensive list of masterpieces, equipment, and cultural backgrounds so that you can get a panoramic view of the period from the 1970s to the 2020s.
1970s: The embryonic period - experimentation and the emergence of ambient music
- Background: Rock’s heyday.Synthesizers and tape editing technology evolved.Brian Eno advocated “ambient”.
- Characteristics: Anti-rock, non-popular approach.Arranging sound on an extension of space and time.
| Work | Artist | Year | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambient 1: Music for Airports | Brian Eno | 1978 | Defining the concept of “ambient” |
| Another Green World | Brian Eno | 1975 | Pioneer of post-rock sensibilities |
| Phaedra | Tangerine Dream | 1974 | Sequencer-driven innovation |
| Discreet Music | Brian Eno | 1975 | Tape Loop Experiment |
Main equipment
- Moog Modular
- EMS Synthi AKS
- Revox A77 Tape
1980s: The deepening of electronics and the aftermath of post-punk
- Background: Instability and urbanization during the Cold War.Influenced by new wave and post-punk.
- Features: Drones, rhythmless structures, industrial influences.
| Work | Artist | Year | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pearl | Harold Budd & Brian Eno | 1984 | Piano + Ambient Sounds |
| Treasure | Cocteau Twins | 1984 | Dream pop ambient |
| Spirit of Eden | Talk Talk | 1988 | The budding post-rock |
| Apollo: Atmospheres and Soundtracks | Brian Eno | 1983 | Cosmic Ambient |
Main equipment
- Yamaha DX7 -Roland Juno-60 -Eventide H910
1990s: Birth and expansion of post-rock
- Background: Diversification of alternative rock after grunge.On the eve of the Internet, an experimental indie scene exploded.
- Characteristics: Non-rock development even though it uses guitar.Long length, dynamic/static contrast.
| Work | Artist | Year | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millions Now Living Will Never Die | Tortoise | 1996 | Post-rock definition album |
| F♯ A♯ ∞ | Godspeed You! Black Emperor | 1997 | Desolate urban music |
| Selected Ambient Works 85–92 | Aphex Twin | 1992 | Ambient Techno Monument |
| Laughing Stock | Talk Talk | 1991 | Completed post-rock |
Main equipment
- Line 6 DL4
- Akai MPC2000 -Korg MS-20
2000s: Cinematic Expansion
- Background: Post-rock pervades movie soundtracks and advertising.Generalization of digital production environments.
- Characteristics: Large-scale dynamics, intersection with post-classical.
| Work | Artist | Year | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ágætis byrjun | Sigur Rós | 1999/2000 | Nordic post-rock |
| The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place | Explosions in the Sky | 2003 | Cinematic Post-Rock |
| The Blue Notebooks | Max Richter | 2004 | Classical x Ambient |
| And Their Refinement of the Decline | Stars of the Lid | 2007 | Tranquil Drone |
Main equipment
- Boss RC-20 Loop Station
- Pro Tools/Cubase (DAW mainstream)
- Native Instruments Kontakt
2010s: Deepening of ambient and drone culture
-
Background: Expansion of distribution platforms such as Spotify.The rise of Lo-Fi ambient and drones.
-
Features: Immersive experience, field recording, fusion with club culture.
| Work | Artist | Year | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgins | Tim Hecker | 2013 | Digital Collapse and Aesthetics |
| Replica | Oneohtrix Point Never | 2011 | Sampling Deconstruction Aesthetics |
| Ravedeath, 1972 | Tim Hecker | 2011 | Church organ x noise |
| Tomorrow’s Harvest | Boards of Canada | 2013 | Dystopian Ambient |
Main equipment
- Eurorack Modular
- Ableton Live -Zoom H4n Recorder
2020s: AI and immersive media
- Background: Expansion of home production due to pandemic.Automatic composition by AI, music experience linked with VR/AR.
- Characteristics: Growing demand for generative music, installations, and wellness (BGM for meditation).
| Work | Artist | Year | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promises | Floating Points, Pharoah Sanders & LSO | 2021 | Jazz x Classical x Ambient |
| Lamentations | William Basinski | 2020 | Collapsed Aesthetics in the Digital Age |
| AI Ambient Projects | Various | 2020s | Infinitely generative music |
| Everything | Slow Meadow | 2022 | Meditative Postclassical |
Main equipment
- AI composition tools (e.g. AIVA, Riffusion)
- 3D/Spatial Audio (Dolby Atmos compatible)
- VR/AR compatible DAW (Endlesss, Soundstage VR)
Genealogy chart summary
Summary
The history of post-rock/ambient music has been a series of challenges: How to depict space and time with sound beyond the framework of rock.''From tape experiments in the 1970s to AI music in the 2020s, the evolution is shifting from the "materiality of sound" to the "environmental nature of sound."
The future will be further updated withimmersive sound architecture’’ that connects generative AI and physical sensations.
Related columns
[Column] Post-Rock/Ambient interaction with movies and architecture
[[Column] What is ambient music? A philosophy of “sounds that exist” rather than sounds that are heard] (https://monumental-movement.jp/Column-Ambient)
[Column] Ambient: From “listening music” to “feeling music” II
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