Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror
Harold Budd & Brian Eno – 1980

Talk about iconic. Ambient 2: The Plateaux of Mirror by Harold Budd and Brian Eno is a delicate, introspective and monumental album in the Ambient genre. Crafted perfectly for moments of quiet reflection, this collaboration blends Budd’s soft, atmospheric piano playing with Eno’s subtle, textured production, creating pieces that hover between ethereal and melancholy. It’s one of the most fundamental and important records in the history of ambient music.

Wave Notation 1: Music for Nine Post Cards
Hiroshi Yoshimura – 1982

This might be a bit of an unconventional pick, but Wave Notation 1: Music for Nine Post Cards by Hiroshi Yoshimura is a beautifully simple and intimate album that feels like watching the world from a quiet window. Yoshimura’s minimalist approach gives the music space to breathe, making it as much about the silence between the notes as the notes themselves. The 1980s was a great time to be a fan of Yoshimura’s work – you’ll see what I mean later on in this list.

Structures From Silence
Steve Roach – 1984

Structures From Silence is an absolute timeless ambient classic. Steve Roach, a pioneer in ambient and electronic music, crafted this album during the early 1980s, drawing inspiration from the quiet, reflective moments in life. Known for his immersive approach, Roach builds layers of warm, flowing synth tones that seem to mirror his own calm and introspective nature. With Structures From Silence, he moved away from more experimental sounds to focus on something simpler – and it feels much more personal.

Green
Hiroshi Yoshimura – 1986

Here we go again. Yoshimura, a pioneer in ambient music, was known for blending minimalism with a sense of warmth and accessibility, making his work approachable while still profoundly moving. Green feels personal, as if Yoshimura was inviting listeners to experience his appreciation for simplicity and beauty in the world.

Through the Looking Glass
Midori Takada (高田みどり) – 1983

Talk about underrated – this album is a stunning showcase of Takada’s talent for blending traditional and modern sounds into something unique – something otherworldly. Takada, a Japanese composer and percussionist, is known for her ability to create deeply atmospheric music that feels rooted in both nature and cultural history. Takada’s deep understanding of rhythm and tone is a true testament to Takada’s skill in weaving diverse influences into a cohesive, intimate sound.

Dreamtime Return
Steve Roach – 1988

This is Steve’s second appearance on this list – and for good reason. Dreamtime Return is a landmark album that captures the Roach’s fascination with the landscapes and spiritual traditions of Australia. Roach, known for his pioneering work in ambient music, spent time studying the Aboriginal concept of the Dreamtime, which inspired this immersive double album.

Soliloquy for Lilith
Nurse With Wound – 1988

Soliloquy for Lilith marked a fascinating shift for Steven Stapleton, the mastermind behind the experimental project, Nurse With Wound. Known for his chaotic and often unsettling approach to sound, Stapleton surprised everyone with this album’s minimalist and hypnotic tone. Named after a mythical figure, Soliloquy for Lilith reflects Stapleton’s ability to channel raw experimentation into something deeply atmospheric and engaging.

Lovely Thunder
Harold Budd – 1986

This is a beautifully understated album that highlights the Budd’s signature blend of ambient soundscapes and delicate piano work. Budd, often celebrated for his ability to blur the lines between classical minimalism and atmospheric music, uses this album to explore a more spacious and experimental approach. Lovely Thunder captures Budd’s knack for creating music that’s as calming as it is thought-provoking, making it a standout in his extensive body of work.