Techno for baby?

August 12, 2014 8:15 AM

I'm putting together an extended mix for some friends, focusing entirely on electronic music that's unusually well-suited for infants. Anyone have thoughts on appropriate tracks?

Years ago while visiting Chicago I browsed through Evil Clown and found a CD set titled "techno for baby". I did not buy it, and I cannot now seem to find it, but for a while it became a running joke in our lives.

...as my friends are now beset with a new child, I've decided to revive the ancient running joke by creating a mix that is aimed at infants/toddlers, but I also have no idea what that would actually mean, musically.

So, thoughts?

posted by aramaic to Media & Arts (24 answers total)

Best answer: I Got My Eye On You

Baby I Love You
posted by fairmettle at 8:21 AM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: My kiddo is crazy for Daft Punk and Calvin Harris. She also digs Clean Bandit. These are more edm than straight techno, but same universe I figure.
posted by Pardon Our Dust at 8:24 AM on August 12, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Teardrop by Massive Attack comes to mind.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 8:27 AM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: Stuff by Plone or ISAN.
posted by Mr. Six at 8:29 AM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: Soothing Sounds for Baby
posted by nave at 8:31 AM on August 12, 2014 [4 favorites]

Best answer: Pocket Calculator

Popcorn
posted by steinwald at 8:32 AM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: Babies love dub techno. Search out this or this series.
posted by mkb at 8:39 AM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: When my kid was a newborn, she seemed to love the K&D Sessions by Kruder and Dorfmeister. Especially disc 2.
posted by spikeleemajortomdickandharryconnickjrmints at 8:41 AM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: A lot of Aphex Twin's more ambient stuff but especially Curtains.
posted by googly at 9:28 AM on August 12, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Music Has the Right to Children seems fitting.
posted by mcstayinskool at 9:36 AM on August 12, 2014 [3 favorites]

Best answer: Massive Attack and Portishead would be groups to look at. Some selections from the Cafe del Mar series would also be good. Or more generally, look at 90's trip-hop. Brian Eno might also be worth investigating.

I kinda figure actual techno (4 on the floor, OONST OONST OONST OONST) might not be best for babies in terms of being soothing and calming.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:15 AM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: Oh, or Buddha Bar CD series. I think that's the correct name.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:20 AM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: My daughter likes Underworld, especially "Banstyle/Sappys Curry" and "Jumbo".
Also seconding Kruder & Dorfmeister.
posted by Petersondub at 12:42 PM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: Here to second Aphex Twin. Analogue Bubblebath was a popular one for us.
posted by mamabear at 12:44 PM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: Children
Innocence
Always remember to respect and honour your mother and father.
Charly
Sesame's Treat.
posted by empath at 12:50 PM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: Little Fluffy Clouds by The Orb
posted by decathexis at 1:46 PM on August 12, 2014 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Howie B - Music for Babies.
posted by erebora at 3:00 PM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: i have no children to test these out on, but I find these immensely soothing and uplifting:

Snooze 4 Love by Todd Terje
Breathe by Telepopmusik
Eple by Royksopp
Happy Up Here by Royskopp
Beautiful Life by Gui Boratto
Lalibela by Caribou
posted by lizbunny at 3:06 PM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: My son used to settle to Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works Vol 2 when he was small (<6mo). I can still fall asleep to it. To my surprise, he also seemed to like rather harsh industrial techno (e.g. Iszoloscope), I guess because it's like white noise a lot of the time.

For sheer childlike silliness it's hard to beat Rotterdam Termination Source, though.
posted by doop at 3:32 PM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: Plone, as Mr. Six wisely suggests, is absolutely on the money. Playful, euphoric, interesting but not abrasive.
posted by alexandermatheson at 6:05 PM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: Honestly, I have seen two years absolutely rocking out to the most evil drum&bass you've probably ever heard. I don't think they really care if the music is abrasive.
posted by empath at 7:59 PM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: My kid loves Art vs Science, especially Create/Destroy.
posted by Wantok at 9:07 PM on August 12, 2014

Best answer: Deadmau5! When my son was a baby he loved it so much it inspired him to take his first step.
posted by daisystomper at 10:42 PM on August 12, 2014

Response by poster: Thank you everyone, I really appreciate the help!
posted by aramaic at 6:50 AM on August 13, 2014