Before the dawn of the 20th century, a western movement--loosely referred to as New Age--emerged with the idea that modern civilization was entering an age of intellectual and spiritual enlightenment. Based somewhat on eastern philosophies and a sense of optimism, its cultural impact has been slim yet steady. In 1967 the musical Hair introduced many to "the dawning of the age of Aquarius," and suddenly the concept of positivity, mysticism, and idealism seemed more palatable. New Age music emerged a bit later in the wake of groundbreaking works such as Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells and Brian Eno's Ambient 1: Music for Airports. New Age is a broad term, but its aesthetic consists mainly of gentle arrangements that blend into soothing ambient textures. It can be keyboard-driven and electronic-based, or acoustic and organic in origin. Just don't forget to light a candle as you listen.

Notable Artists: Enya, George Winston, Robert Julian Horky