Improve your concentration with music!
~Songs that help you get work done, chosen by Monosus members~

The second half of April has come around in a flash.
The cherry blossom season is over, and new greenery is beginning to sprout.

For those who are starting a new school year in a new environment, it may be time to gradually get used to your new place.
Even for those who continue to work hard in an unchanging environment, the pleasant weather and cool breeze of spring make you want to go outside (if only you didn't have hay fever!).
However, even when the weather is perfect for a picnic, working adults still have to go to work.

When you need concentration like this, one way to do it is to use the power of music.
This time, we asked our music-loving members to recommend some songs that will help you get work done.

Electronica for when you want to calm down and concentrate
Ray Harakami "Something I Forgot"

Ray Harakami "Forgotten Things" Music Mine (2006/5/10) ( Amazon )

This time I would like to introduce Ray Harakami's "Something I Forgot."
Ray Harakami's music is characterized by a gentle, comfortable sound that evokes a sense of nostalgia.

When you hear that, you might imagine it's monotonous and sleepy, but the complex intertwining rhythm patterns and the occasional techno elements keep you from getting bored. Although it's techno, the sound itself is soft and not harsh, and it relaxes you and lifts your spirits just enough when you want to calm down and concentrate on your work.

In particular, "Wasuremono" is a collection of unreleased songs from the early days to 2006. It's a cohesive and easy-to-listen-to work that makes it hard to believe it's a collection of unreleased songs, so it's recommended even for people who don't listen to much electronica.

Also, since the playback time is about an hour, when you are concentrating it helps you regain your sense of time, making it a useful disc for time management.

I feel like a hero!
Boss battle BGM for "Ganbaridoki"
Toby Fox『Undertale Soundtrack』

Toby Fox “Undertale Soundtrack” (2016/6/2) ( Amazon )

When an emergency response is requested.
When checking hundreds of pages for mass production projects.
There are times when simple tasks pile up in front of you and you just have to organize and get rid of them!
I usually listen to game play videos (mainly horror games) while I work, but when I want to concentrate and try my best, I often listen to the boss battle background music from the 2015 RPG "Undertale."

What is Undertale?
UNDERTALE
The story is set in the Underground, a world isolated from the surface world. The player controls a human child who falls into the underground world inhabited by monsters, and embarks on an adventure in which he encounters and interacts with various monsters in order to return to the surface.

The good thing about boss battle background music, although it may be a little intimidating, is that it makes you feel like a hero.
If it's a project that you're working on alone, you might think, "It's cool that I'm taking on the challenge, even though I'm alone."
If it's a project that you're working on together as a team, you might think, "I'm so cool because I'm working hard for everyone on the team."

...That's how I naturally feel good, and I can do my best even if no one praises me. Sometimes I think I can beat it with ease, but the opponent (task) turns out to be incredibly strong. When I listen to this song at times like that, I become the main character in my head. Facing a strong opponent is just a test to level up! I can attack aggressively.

The game's music, written by the game's creator, Toby Fox, has a lot of songs with a good, beeping tempo, and the keystrokes seem to be faster too...
"Undertale" is also a "gentle RPG where no one has to die." Depending on the protagonist's choices, you can reach the ending without anyone dying, including the final boss.
With these songs, I work hard every day to achieve a peaceful reconciliation with the person in front of me (my work).

Great for a nap or concentrated work.
The comfort of being enveloped in a cool groove
Suchmos "THE BAY"

Suchmos “THE BAY” SPACE SHOWER MUSIC (2015/7/7) ( Amazon )

The one I would recommend is Suchmos' first album, "THE BAY."
Even if you're not familiar with them, you might get the idea if you hear the chorus of "STAY TUNE," the commercial song for the Honda Vezel.

It's like a collection of music from a wide variety of genres.
This album gives the impression that each member has a different taste in music, and they brought their favorites together to create songs through a session.

Use "Armstrong" when you want to work fast and efficiently.
When I want to change my mood, I listen to "Miree" and "GAGA."

When you want to take a deep, instant nap, listen to "Fallin'" or "Pacific."

My favorite is "YMM"

For me, it's the most Suchmos-like.
If I were to describe this song in my own words, I would say that it's a sexy, wild, and cool song with a jazz-based melody mixed with soul and funk music elements (laughs).
It was used as a commercial song for Apple Music.

The lyrics are quite provocative, but to be honest, I wouldn't understand what they're saying unless I looked at the lyric sheet.

So I think it's probably okay to just listen to it and think, "This song is kind of cool."
The lyrics are so confusing that you can't even hear them, so it's perfect for working.

Minimal techno with a good beat
Dusty Kid "Milk"

Milk “milk remixes” Systematic (2017/10/6) ( Amazon )

Dusty Kid is an Italian producer.
The rhythmic melody continues from the intro to the outro, with parts with fewer sounds and parts with thick layers, and although it may seem monotonous, it is surprisingly easy to listen to endlessly without getting bored or losing concentration. The good balance of the low and high tones, which can be heard clearly even when listening at a low volume, is unique to minimal techno.
This album contains remix versions by four different remixers, and you can enjoy a different style of music from the original song included as the fifth track.

Did you enjoy these songs that will help you get your work done?
As expected, there were many pieces this time with a sense of rhythm and good tempo.

Electronica used in game boss battles to lift your spirits or gently improve your concentration. Minimal techno with a groove that wraps you up in when you're tired, available in several mixed versions.
Perhaps the fact that each has a consistent rhythm, similar to the sound of a heartbeat, helps us to concentrate without us realizing it.

Spring brings with it pleasant weather, but our body rhythms change as the temperature can suddenly drop from warm to cold.
At times like these, it might be a good idea to change your mood with some upbeat music and then get back to work!
I hope to do another music feature on a different theme.