Long periods of isolation can put a strain on your mental health, sometimes it helps to pause for a moment, we have put together some music to help you relax and take your mind off things.

‘The Roughest Trade’ - Nils Frahm

German composer Nils Frahm is known for using a wide variety of instruments to produce his music, but ‘The Roughest Trade’, is a more pair-back and simplistic sound. This is a slower and more personal piece of music, winding its way gently to its conclusion.

‘Strata’ – Poppy Ackroyd

By British composers Poppy Ackroyd, ‘Strata’s’ beautiful solo piano creates an incredible rising and falling effect, creating a very personal sound. Great to take your mind off things for a while.

‘In the Garden’ – Max Richter

Based on Virginia Wolf novel ‘Mrs Dalloway’, Richter blends strings and piano to tell the story of high society in post WW1 England. Played in his traditional minimalist style, this piece is melancholy and tender as the strings and piano overlap to form wonderful harmonies.

‘Sunset Through a Dusty Nebula’ – Hannah Peel

The 'Mary Casio: Journey to Cassiopeia', from Northern Irish composer Hannah Peel, tells the story of an elderly star gazers journey to outer space. ‘Sunset Through a Dusty Nebula’ describes the beauty of the setting of a foreign sun with a minimalist use of a 12-piece brass band and arpeggiators, its truly beautiful. It’s time to get lost in another galaxy.

'Illusion of Time’ – Daniel Avery & Alessandro Cortini

From techno producer Daniel Avery and synth player from ‘Nine Inch Nails’ Alessandro Cortini. This is a much gentler and more ambient piece of music than much of their previous work, reflecting on the nature of time. Relax to its slow rolling synths.

‘Them is Us’ – Rival Consoles

A one-off single composed for adult swim, ‘Them is Us’ blends synthesizers and strings to create a spell binding piece of music. This track creates an ethereal atmospheric sound, with a very human element to it which is rare in electronic music.

Words by Dan Phillips.