Marconi Union's Weightless: Officially 'The Most Relaxing Track in the World'

LONDON, December 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

More than 12 million fans relaxing to 'Weightless' worldwide

"British ambient band Marconi Union has drummed up the world's most relaxing song: Weightless 8 mins 10 secs of aural bliss"      Time Magazine Best Inventions of the Year

'Weightless' topped a scientific list of the most relaxing pieces of music of all time, research suggesting that it can slow the heart rate, reduce blood pressure and decrease cortisone levels 

• More than12 million worldwide views on YouTube of the various Weightless videos and audio track
• More than 525,000 views of the Official Weightless video following the first few weeks of the album release
• More than 5 million followers of Weightless on Soundcloud
• More than 64,000 downloads of the Weightless track on iTunes
• More than 3.7 Spotify streams of Weightless worldwide
• No.4 and No.6 for 2 months running in the Zone Music Reporter Charts - the world's biggest album ambient/world/new age chart
• Consistently topping the Amazon ambient music bestsellers list
• One posting about Weightless on The Mind Unleashed facebook page reached their 4.2 million followers and in 4 days the post was liked by 15,222 and shared by 12,824 people.
• Watch the astonishingly beautiful drone Video here: Marconi Union Weightless (Ambient Transmissions Vol 2) Official Video 

Marconi Union are considered one of the leading ambient (and electronic-synth) acts in the world, continuously topping many lists as the most important contemporary ambient artists around today. The Manchester duo often draw comparisons with Brian Eno and Biosphere, perhaps Sigur Ros, but the graceful manner with which their richly melodic compositions unfold and the emotion these evoke sets them apart from their peers.  

"Marconi Union are amongst today's most talented musicians" Sunday Times 

"Marconi Union have steadily released albums of pristine, clinical electronic music over the last decade, continuing to refine their art in minimalist fashion and placing MU firmly in the vanguard of acts making atmospheric ambient music " Music OMH  

The first "Weightless" track was created when Marconi Union were asked to write a piece of relaxing music in consultation with Lyz Cooper, the UK's leading sound therapist and founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy. The plan was that the track would then be scientifically tested for its' effectiveness.  The prospect of being involved in this unusual project proved to be highly alluring and the Union quickly agreed to take part. When "Weightless" was tested at the Mindlab Institute, scientists reported that their research indicated that the music slowed the heart rate, reduced blood pressure and decreased levels of cortisol, a steroid hormone that is released in response to stress. 

The new album Weightless (Ambient Transmissions Vol 2) includes the now iconic and seminal Weightless track together with five more tracks, the latter derived from the ideas of the former, simply entitled Part 1 to Part 6. The tracks are minimal, combining warm drones and drifting sounds with occasional sparse rhythms to the album : Here is private soundcloud link

"What distinguishes Weightless from other music is the use of therapeutic sound. Many musicians and composers intuitively use therapeutic elements in their music every day, but when you put many of these elements together it is possible to create music that has an extremely relaxing effect on people"  

Lyz Cooper, the UK's leading sound therapist and founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy

"Brain imaging studies have shown that music works at a very deep level within the brain, stimulating not only those regions responsible for processing sound but also ones associated with emotions. So the next time you need to relax, there's no need to comfort eat a chocolate bar or book a spa retreat. Just put on the right piece of music, such as Weightless, sit back in the bath or a comfortable chair, close your eyes and chill out to the soothing beat."  

Dr David Lewis,  author of the best selling One Minute Stress Manager and one of the UK's leading stress specialists

"If an electronic track can be a limpid pool, this is one. Not  ripple touches the surface, not a single spec of dust clouds the glassy stillness. Weightless, the album, contains five more similarly translucently gorgeous tracks' The Sunday Times

"Two years after [Weightless} was declared 'the most relaxing tune ever' they've delivered five further, equally calming, pieces worthy of men once asked to remaster the Eno back catalogue" Uncut 8/10

"It sounds as though sleepless nights could be a thing of the past thanks to Marconi Union. They have created a song they called Weightless which has become, officially, the most relaxing song ever. That is the verdict of the boffins who say that its sustaining rhythm, the harmonic intervals, the absence of a repeated melody and the use of "whooshing sounds and hums" all combine to make the perfect aural narcoleptic. It is so effective drivers are being warned not to put it on the car stereo."  The Telegraph

"Weightless, by Manchester trio Marconi Union, is officially the most relaxing song ever"  The People

"More relaxing than a massage, walk or cup of tea. Forget hot baths, yoga classes and wacky spa treatments - the best way to chillout is to listen to music. But not just any old track. Musicians have composed the world's most relaxing song - and it doesn't include whale sounds or panpipes" The Daily Mail

"Stress relief in a song" Daily Express

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