Let me try to write you a bit about nature chill. I wonder how accurate I will end up, but I am looking forward to your comments and input.
What Is Nature Chill?
Nature chill is a deeply relaxing and atmospheric subgenre within the broader lo-fi music landscape. It distinguishes itself by thoughtfully weaving together authentic ambient field recordings, soothing melodies often played on instruments like the Rhodes piano or gentle strings, and minimalist, understated beats.
Imagine the delicate chorus of birdsong gracefully layered over a mellow Rhodes piano loop. Or the soft rustling of wind through trees providing a backdrop for a subtle snare drum. And adding distant, echoing piano chords. This is music crafted for moments of quiet contemplation, leisurely strolls in nature, or simply allowing your thoughts to drift peacefully.
While established lo-fi subgenres like lo-fi hip hop and chillhop frequently incorporate jazzy samples, the nostalgic crackle of vintage vinyl, or characteristic boom-bap rhythms, nature chill deliberately shifts its focus. It elevates natural ambiance to become the primary driver of emotion and atmosphere. This genre often gracefully bridges the sonic space between traditional lo-fi and ambient music. It places the textures and soundscapes of the environment at the forefront of the listening experience.
A Brief History of Nature Chill
The term “nature chill,” is probably something I started using, despite the phenomenon is not new. I found it intuitively descriptive, still relatively new. And may not yet be formally recognized in major online music databases such as AllMusic or categorized within platforms like Spotify.
However, this unique sound has been organically developing within the lo-fi underground over the past decade.
Notably, the 2018 release of my Earth LP stands out as one of the earliest and most clearly articulated examples of this emerging approach. This album, was my tenth full-length release, marked a deliberate embrace of what he explicitly termed “Nature Chill Beats.”
“I used much reverb, many strings and piano, and less electronics,” I wrote back then, explaining on my small music blog in late 2018. “The goal was to create a sonic tribute to the beauty of nature, supported by ambient field sounds and emotional minimalism.”
Earth represented a significant evolution in my solo project, the Latte Chill’s production style. I felt like extending beyond thematic changes to encompass my technical approach. This period also saw the release of several EPs. EPs, where I reimagined earlier tracks, infusing them with more organic and nature-centric elements, further solidifying my exploration of this new sub-genre.
One of my latter albums, Leaf Green (released in 2019), continued this stylistic journey. It merges the core elements of nature chill with nostalgic influences drawn from retro Game Boy games. Yes, particularly the iconic Pokémon Leaf Green. Tracks on this album featured delicate arpeggios reminiscent of classic game soundtracks, chiptune-inspired textures, and seamlessly integrated ambient nature recordings. At the end, creating a listening experience that felt both refreshingly novel and comfortably familiar.
How Nature Chill Is Made
Producers of nature chill music often employ a specific palette of tools and techniques meticulously chosen to cultivate the genre’s signature sense of calm and immersion:
Field recordings: Authentic sounds captured from natural environments, such as the ambiance of forests, the gentle flow of rivers, the rhythmic patter of rain, the melodic calls of birds, and even the subtle sound of footsteps on natural terrain. These are often captured using portable recorders like the Zoom H1n and Tascam DR-05X, or even high-quality smartphone microphones.
Minimalist instrumentation: A focus on soft and evocative instruments like Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric pianos. Consider ethereal string pads, gently evolving ambient synthesizers, and occasionally the delicate resonance of acoustic guitars or harps.
Lo-fi percussion: Subtle and unobtrusive percussive elements, including gentle kick drums, dusty-sounding snare drums, and the subtle presence of vinyl crackle or tape hiss. Often, the sharp attack of hi-hats or overly prominent transients is deliberately avoided to maintain a smooth and relaxed feel.
I believe artists within the nature chill genre should also utilize nature photography or evocative natural imagery for their album cover art. This visual element reinforces the genre’s core themes. It also further deepens the listener’s immersive connection to the natural world being sonically represented.
When to Listen: Mood and Use Cases
The calming and introspective nature of nature chill makes it a versatile soundtrack for a variety of activities and moods, particularly those seeking tranquility and focus:
Sleep, meditation, and mindfulness practices: Its gentle and non-jarring sonic qualities create a conducive atmosphere for relaxation and inner peace.
Reading, studying, or writing: The instrumental nature of the music provides a non-distracting backdrop that can enhance concentration and focus.
Slow walks, immersive nature trips, or peaceful train rides. It serves as a harmonious auditory accompaniment to experiences in the natural world or moments of transit.
Evening wind-downs or late-night relaxation: Its soothing textures help to create a calm and peaceful ambiance before sleep.
Creating cozy atmospheres, or as ambient listening in coffee shops or quiet workspaces. It provides a subtle and emotionally resonant sonic environment.
Its predominantly instrumental nature and slow to mid-range tempos make it an ideal choice for individuals seeking peaceful, unobtrusive, and emotionally evocative background music.
Nature chill transcends its definition as a mere subgenre, it embodies a mindful approach to sound and listening. It gently encourages listeners to decelerate. To disconnect from the digital noise of everyday life and forge a deeper connection with the inherent tranquility of the natural world.
Whether you are a producer crafting these soothing soundscapes or an individual curating a personal playlist for moments of peace, nature chill represents lo-fi music at its most introspective, restorative, and deeply connected to the world around us.
Check my songs if you like the examples above. Thanks for reading this long.
