Escape to the Soundscape: Inside the World of Ambient ASMR
Have you ever wished you could be instantly transported to your favorite fictional world, or had the desire to visit the past, or maybe even Paris, with just the press of a button? Now, your dreams can become a (virtual) reality thanks to the rise in Ambient ASMR soundscapes.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 10 years, you’ve probably heard of ASMR. Short for Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, the phenomenon refers to the sensation some people feel when certain noises trigger a pleasurable tingling shiver that moves down the spine. ASMRtists use sounds like crinkling paper, whispering, brushes against the mic, and scratching nails to elicit the unique tingly nervous system response, and guide listeners to sleep or relaxation.
YouTube videos and meditation apps co-opting the phrase have become so popular that the concept of ASMR has vastly expanded. Currently, the subgenre of ASMR that Gen Z flocks to is the more immersive world of “Ambient ASMR”, also known as soundscapes. Unlike traditional forms of ASMR videos, Ambient ASMR typically rely more on visuals to elicit an immersive sensory experience. Many (though not all) integrate music, often a relaxing, nonspecific uncopyrighted music that repeats throughout the video.
The most popular sub-genre of these soundscapes place viewers in the most relaxing, chill version of a specific location. For example, searching “New York City Ambience” will not give you the reality of taxi cabs honking and gaggles of tourists speaking loudly on a dirt-riddled sidewalk, but instead an idyllic view of Manhattan from a flower-filled cafe, set to soothing jazz.
Many ambient soundscapes have common attributes, which include an emphasis on books and writing, rain, coziness, flowers, history, classical music, and jazz. You can see elements of our generational obsession of “aesthetics”, specifically dark and light academia. Many of these videos seem like a way for the aesthete to immersive themself further into their vibe, and let it permeate all the senses rather than purely visual. In the same way that you can choose whether you are more cottagecore or Y2K, you can choose to escape into the pastiche of the English Cotswalds or enjoy the cafe at a tropical beach.
The YouTube channel, Ambient Worlds, exclusively makes Ambient ASMR videos set in fictional worlds, many of which are not relaxing at all. While people may not exactly fall asleep pretending they are at Jurassic Park, sailing with the Pirates of the Caribbean, or swinging through Spider-Man’s New York, these beautifully crafted videos offer fans a chance to feel closer to the stories they love.
Ambient soundscapes clearly lean into the genre of escapism, and their popularity undoubtedly grew during the pandemic. A trip through the comment section of any of these videos gives testament to the plethora of grateful viewers who remark how the videos brought them peace, or allowed them to feel like they could escape to somewhere that is not their home, and even the real world.
Oftentimes, commenters will write short stories or blurbs about the emotions and vibe they experience from the video. On a light academia inspired video, user WyldeGi writes, “The soft breeze from an early morning awakens you in the rays of the rising sun. The whole world still sleeps silently, besides the distant flocks of birds. Morning dew lines your windows and the regrowing grass blades below. Deeply you take a breath in the heavenly breeze. Today is going to be a good day.”
Ambient ASMR has carved out a cozy corner in the internet full of calm; a penchant for beauty, and a degree of quietness that the internet so lacks. Why not give it a try, and escape into your own ambient world? While it may feel a bit dystopian to seek refuge in a virtual space, it’s certainly a lot cheaper than buying plane tickets.
