There has been a recent buzz in the entertainment world lately about something called ambient music.
This is basically music that fades into the background, but that can also be deliberately listened to in the foreground.
Because of this, ambient music works on two different levels (unlike most music that works on only one level).
Most people would describe it as being like film music, in that it isn't the main focus of your attention (what's happening on the screen with the characters is) - it is a essentially a secondary activity that you might have on in the background when you are working or when you are going to sleep.
It's difficult for a lot of people to get their heads around ambient music, since there is often very little melody, no percussion and no vocals whatsoever.
You have to change your mindset from being one that sees music as the primary activity to one that sees it as a secondary activity that enhances the primary.
I personally like to listen to ambient music when I am working, as I feel that it relaxes me whilst giving me more energy.
The best artists are the ones that are able to convey uplifting emotions with only a few simple notes, each of which is drawn out over time.
Another word for this type of music is 'drone', which refers to the long, droning sound of the strings, keyboards and guitars.
Some of the best ambient artists include Stars of the Lid, Dead Texan, Brian Eno and Global Communication.