Quiet, pretty songs
February 21, 2025 3:28 PM   Subscribe

My frazzled nervous system really loves this song. What are some similar songs I might like?

One of my neurodivergent sensory issues is that I often experience music as overstimulating noise when I am stressed or anxious or irritable. While I like a lot of different kinds of music, I really have to be in the right mood for it. Lately stress, anxiety and irritability have been ruling the day, more often than not.

The song I linked above relaxes me deeply. The combination of simplicity, quietness and a pretty, catchy tune make it very peaceful and pleasant to listen to. I’d like to find more similar songs with these elements:

1) Simple, quiet vocals (male or female) singing the melody with little or no harmony and no flourishes such as belting, runs, etc.
2) Simple, quiet accompaniment: one or two instruments playing the melody in a straightforward way
3) A pretty, catchy tune. I am irritated by songs where the music just meanders all over the place and never settles into a catchy pattern

Any suggestions? Searching on YouTube has yielded some close but not-quite-right results so I’m hoping that actual humans may have better suggestions that meet my criteria.
posted by Serene Empress Dork to Media & Arts (56 answers total) 23 users marked this as a favorite
 
Perhaps The Barrel by Aldous Harding? Though maybe even it goes a little too hard at some points with upwards of four instruments. Just when this one gets stuck in my head I know I'm gonna have a chill day.
posted by phunniemee at 3:44 PM on February 21 [5 favorites]


An album, not a song, but Everything But The Girl's acoustic work?
Here's an example track.
posted by Calvin and the Duplicators at 3:44 PM on February 21 [3 favorites]


In the vein of more modern covers of British new wave synth-pop songs, there's Gary Jules cover of Mad World. Kind of haunting though.
posted by LionIndex at 3:47 PM on February 21 [3 favorites]


A few that came to mind:

Thank You (Acoustic), Dido

Here's Where the Story Ends, The Sundays - includes a few louder passages, but nothing near belting
posted by Glinn at 4:05 PM on February 21 [3 favorites]


Not sure if you use Spotify, but if you do, I suggest searching for playlists like "best acoustic covers" or similar. There are lots of different playlists that have songs like this (covers of fun, familiar songs) but pared down.
posted by Molasses808 at 4:14 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


Darren Hanlon, "I wish that I was beautiful for you" (folk-pop live, but the studio version and a lot of his stuff might work)

Jens Lekman, "Black Cab (Black Cab Sessions)" (live kalimba version; maybe other Black Cab Sessions would work)

Computer Magic, "My Love" (acoustic; Sofar sessions in general have more like this)

Maybe also lullabies, e.g. "Bajuschki Baju" or "L'était une petite poule grise" or "Ninna Nanna," or music box playlists or just a waltz on piano," etc.
posted by Wobbuffet at 4:15 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


Catchy and simple? Young Mable Giants. Might be a little too fast though. You could check out Credit in the Straight World or Final Day
posted by brachiopod at 4:18 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


found an acoustic of this one
Sea Wolf - "Black Leaf Falls"
posted by Glinn at 4:24 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


The Wes Anderson film "The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou" features a lot of acoustic covers of David Bowie songs done in Portugese. They're all on the album The Life Aquatic Studio Sessions Featuring Seu Jorge. They are probably not as calming as the Frente! song though.

You can probably find a lot if you look for acoustic or a cappella covers in general.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 4:27 PM on February 21 [3 favorites]


Speaking of acoustic covers, your example reminded me of When You Were Mine (a Prince cover) by Blue Rubies
posted by moonmilk at 4:30 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


Basically everything by Kate Rusby. For example. I like her version of Lyle Lovett's If I Had a Boat.
posted by rhamphorhynchus at 4:30 PM on February 21 [2 favorites]


Entertaining of a Shy Girl, Donovan - mostly one acoustic guitar, a muted bass noise every once in a while, and an occasional flute flourish towards the end
posted by LionIndex at 4:36 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


Bill Callahan has quiet moments like these - I'd recommend:
Ride My Arrow
Everyway

Arto Lindsay in his 90s incarnation as troubadour:
Titled
Mar de Gavea
Blue Eye Shadow

Jake Xerxes Fussell - he takes old lost traditional tunes and rearranges them a little
Jubilee
Love Farewell

Grant Lee Phillips, in a period of transition between his band Grant Lee Buffalo and his solo rootsy country material, did an album with Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Elliott Smith) - Ladies Love Oracle:
St. Expedite
Heavenly
Nothin is For Sure

I've run out of time here, but you can't go wrong with Elliott Smith prior to XO (where he gets a bit more rock-y). I'd recommend Angeles (Either/Or) or No Name #3 (Roman Candle).
posted by SoundInhabitant at 4:55 PM on February 21 [3 favorites]


Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World by Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole
posted by belladonna at 5:08 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


So to continue the New Wave theme, there's always Nouvelle Vague. They're probably the best result of a translation pun ever (they do Bossa Nova covers of New Wave songs, and a little time with google translate will explain the joke). This is the kind of act that would have been drowned out by the Postmodern Jukebox folks if they'd started a decade later.

This cover of Echo and the Bunnymen probably fits the bill. It's way more chill than even their album version, which is still the kind of quiet song you'd play while relaxing. Most of their tracks are the kind of thing you'd play to fall asleep to.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 5:12 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


Pink Moon by Nick Drake.

Born to Hum by Erin McKeown.

Call It Dreaming by Iron & Wine.

After Hours by the Velvet Underground (it's very different than most of their songs).

This might be too elaborate (it doesn't fit all of your requirements) but I find it very pretty and soothing -- Archie, Marry Me by Flyte.
posted by overglow at 5:13 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


slackjaw, sylvan esso

almost anything on The Trinity Session from Cowboy Junkies. It doesn't exactly match the criteria stated above but these musicians are masterful at doing very good things with Quiet.
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 6:16 PM on February 21 [3 favorites]


There's another song off that same Frente! album that fits your mood: Girl
posted by JoeZydeco at 6:23 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]




Nobody Has to Stay by Mirah
posted by tacopasta at 7:15 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


Very much meeting your criteria: at about 7:30 into the song Falling (Death of A Tree) by Over The Rhine is one of those hidden-after-the-'end'-of-the-album songs that all the clever bands were doing in the 90's. Don't bother with the preceding part of the song, it doesn't fit what you're looking for. But this part, this hidden part, is just female vocals and upright bass, wife and husband, having quietly made one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard.

Also, just because I'm here, I might as well plug another of their songs, Go Down Easy for anyone else to enjoy. It doesn't meet your criteria but the vocals are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, shining like gold and dripping with joy. This song stops time and pulls the listener into the presence of the moment like nothing but love can do.
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 7:37 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


again, slackjaw by Sylvan Esso - but the original/studio version might work better for you, instead of the 'echo mountain' version I'd linked above.
posted by jerome powell buys his sweatbands in bulk only at 7:46 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]




Harvest Moon by Neil Young
If You're Feeling Sinister - Belle & Sebastian
Ease Your Feet Off In the Sea - Belle & Sebastian
Fade into You - Mazzy Star
Birthday Song - Ben Lee
13 - Big Star
Dolphins - Billy Bragg
posted by The_Vegetables at 9:42 PM on February 21


Heavy - Kina Grannis and Imaginary Future
I Knew This Would Be Love - Imaginary Future
Cold Outside - Ruth Moody
Chelsea Hotel #2 - Leonard Cohen
Blue Mind - Alexi Murdoch
18 and Sleeping - Sam Brookes
posted by Redstart at 9:45 PM on February 21 [1 favorite]


Try any random song by The Softies.
posted by cathycartoon at 11:42 PM on February 21


Oh you mean Azure Ray.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 3:46 AM on February 22 [1 favorite]


Mod note: Thank you for making this post, there's some really good recommendations, so we've added the post to the sidebar and Best Of blog!
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 4:25 AM on February 22 [4 favorites]


Newer artist Olivia Wendel fits the bill perfectly. Sweet and soulful and resonating with heart.
posted by berkshiredogs at 6:09 AM on February 22 [1 favorite]


Not sure if you use Spotify, but if you do, I suggest searching for playlists like "best acoustic covers" or similar.

Seconding this - my own spotify library is filled with playlists with the word "acoustic" somewhere in the title. "Indie" and "folk" also work well.

Some specific titles that I've found and especially like:

Julep by the Punch Brothers
Cat Power's cover of Sea of Love (you may remember it from the movie JUNO)
River or Beyond by Leon Bridges
Seconding Pink Moon above, I also like Nick Drake's Northern Sky
The "Doveman remix" of Sufjan Stevens' Futile Devices, plus his songs Mystery of Love and Visions of Gideon (okay, I just really love Call Me By Your Name)

And some albums that may suit as well:

Sufjan Stevens' Seven Swans (heads up that there is some religious imagery, in case that impacts your taste)

Van Morrison's Astral Weeks ABSOLUTELY. At least give the title track a try.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:11 AM on February 22 [1 favorite]


Oh HANG ON.

So there is a folk/rock band from the New England/New York area in the 70s that you've likely not heard of (they never really broke national); Aztec Two-Step. Some of their songs that may suit:

Highway Song
Strangers
Walking On Air
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:28 AM on February 22 [1 favorite]


"Quiet Beauty", and old one from Special EFX.
posted by jtexman1 at 7:22 AM on February 22 [1 favorite]




There are really some great selections here but am I the only one who’s a bit uneasy at characterising Nick Drake & Elliott Smith as “quiet” & “pretty”?

Maybe the simple arrangements are throwing some people off the scent but… listen to the words. That’s not the vibe.
posted by rd45 at 8:02 AM on February 22 [1 favorite]


Jose Gonzales, both as a solo artist and with his band Junip.

Also a lot of singer-songwritery folk music (Largely just voice and acoustic guitar), from the 60s all the way through to now. Anything from the founders of the genre (Pete Seeger? Bob Dylan’s first couple of albums, if you’re OK with his voice) through James Taylor’s early work to the “coffeehouse folk” genre that became a thing more recently.

One example from the late 80s is John Gorka - his first album (I Know) has a few backup harmonies here and there but otherwise fits your requirements perfectly.

Another from that time who comes to mind when I focus on the “restrained vocals” side of things is Bill Morrissey. I would say look at the Rounder or Red House Records catalogs as a whole but labels aren’t as much of a thing anymore…
posted by sesquipedalia at 9:18 AM on February 22


Yeah, I think a lot of people got into the "singer with acoustic guitar" thing and disregarded a bit of "catchy tune" and "not a whole lot of instruments" in some cases. But that's why a lot of acoustic covers of pop songs work well - established catchy tune cred, just someone presenting it in a completely different way. Another example:
Girl You Know it's True - covered by Sexton Blake (spotify link) on an all-cover album (but some songs have more of a full band).

Also: (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction covered by Cat Power
posted by LionIndex at 12:24 PM on February 22 [1 favorite]


Maybe the simple arrangements are throwing some people off the scent but… listen to the words. That’s not the vibe.

For some people, "pretty" might include the lyrics and sentiment, but when I call a song "pretty" (which I often do; "pretty" songs are a whole category in my mind), I mean it sounds pretty. For instance, a very pretty song I considered recommending here is this Steve Gunn cover of Astro Zombies. I decided it might not be quiet enough. And, yeah, I did also consider that the lyrics about flesh-eating zombies who want to "extermine the whole fuckin' race" might not make it "peaceful and pleasant to listen to" for everyone, but it definitely is for me.
posted by Redstart at 1:47 PM on February 22


Yeah, I also understood the question to be about the sonic qualities of the music, not the mood or emotional resonance or meaning. I mean, the mood of Bizarre Love Triangle is not exactly cheerful or peaceful.
posted by overglow at 4:27 PM on February 22


In the spirit of the original example, Nina Gordon with a cover of Straight Outta Compton.
posted by zadcat at 7:21 PM on February 22


I immediately thought of For You by Duncan Sheik
posted by jacy at 9:48 PM on February 22


Mod note: One comment removed for criticizing other answers. Please just answer the question.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 2:31 AM on February 23


There are really some great selections here but am I the only one who’s a bit uneasy at characterising Nick Drake & Elliott Smith as “quiet” & “pretty”? Maybe the simple arrangements are throwing some people off the scent but… listen to the words.

rd45: if you'll notice, the Nick Drake songs people have been recommending are "Pink Moon" and "Northern Sky" as opposed to things like "Place to Be" or "Black-Eyed Dog". The lyrics to "Pink Moon" are so opaque it's difficult to know the intent, and "Northern Sky" is a straightforward love song, so I can't see the harm.

And to the OP: if lyrics do affect your response to a song, Nick Drake does have a couple songs that may discuss his own mental health struggles so just be aware; but others don't.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:45 AM on February 23


While we're on Nick Drake: John Martyn wrote Solid Air for him.
posted by flabdablet at 6:29 AM on February 23


Pink Floyd's Grantchester Meadows is unambiguously and uncomplicatedly quiet, spare, pretty and peaceful.
posted by flabdablet at 6:33 AM on February 23


I love Mama by Abigail Washburn for this. Simple and beautiful.
posted by hydra77 at 8:02 AM on February 23


I can offer two that I think are what you mean! I’ve been thinking of them as quiet, stark songs. They are also very pretty.

Stina Nordenstam, Little Star

PJ Harvey, The Desperate Kingdom of Love
posted by inkytea at 8:45 AM on February 23


You will find a lot of stuff like this by stalking teenage lesbians playlists. Good search terms are Lilith Faire, "sapphic" and "sad lesbian" and so forth :) like boygenius, Paris Paloma, dodie.

Moving back a little to the more ninties same vibe, Eryka Badu, Natalie Merchant, Tracy Chapman, Suzanne Vega

Grab these on Spotify and hit "radio" for other similar artists.
posted by Iteki at 11:38 AM on February 23


The 80s origin of Bizarre Love Triangle reminds me of some others from that era:
Its a Fine Day by Jane
The Trinity album by Cowboy Junkies - for example Misguided Angel
Kate Rusby is mentioned above - so in the same manner I'd like to suggest Katherine Polwart - for example Follow the Heron Home, and Ophelia.
posted by rongorongo at 11:44 AM on February 23




Silver town - Bruise.
posted by freya_lamb at 10:36 AM on February 24


This Head Over Heels cover by Japanese Breakfast fits the bill nicely
posted by glaucon at 11:11 AM on February 24


Can't believe she had to die to remind me of this one: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
posted by flabdablet at 11:16 AM on February 24


Mazzy Star: Into Dust
posted by flabdablet at 9:51 AM on February 25


and Five String Serenade
posted by flabdablet at 9:59 AM on February 25




Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie and Fowlis and Karine Poleart have collaborated to record “Looking for the thread” which may be a good fit for you - it has some of my favourite songs by any of these women.
posted by rongorongo at 7:40 AM on March 9


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