Jordan Rakei creates track comprising of entirely of Heathrow Airport field recordings
Created in partnership with the London aviation hub, the ambient track incorporates boarding calls, baggage belts and jet engines to create a "relaxing experience" for terminal attendees
While boarding calls, baggage belts and jet engines may sound like the polar opposite of "relaxing", Jordan Rakei has incorporated them into a new track to help soothe Heathrow Airport's jet-setters.
Created in partnership with the London aviation hub, 'Music for Heathrow' is available to listen to on SoundCloud and within Heathrow's five terminals this summer, with the GRAMMY-nominated producer sharing that it is "designed to loop seamlessly to help you relax and tune in to your holiday."
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Consisting entirely of over 50+ field recordings taken around Heathrow Airport, the four-minute track was announced via an Instagram post on Tuesday (July 8), with a video featuring the New Zealand musician donning a high-vis and taking recordings of the runway, escalators, inside an engine and more.
The title 'Music for Heathrow' is an ode to Brian Eno's 1979 album 'Ambient 1: Music for Airports' – with Rakei's track similarly comprising of four compositions to reflect the different stages of airport travel.
According to a press release from Heathrow Airport, the percussion was created from the sound of passports being stamped and bags hitting the conveyor belt, whilst a jet's take off is metamorphosed into a synth.
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The track was created to muster excitement for upcoming holidays, while providing calm for any soon-to-be passengers. "I've always loved that buzz that comes with the excitement and anticipation of travel," Rakei said in a press release. "So, getting the chance to turn Heathrow's many sounds into music was an honour."
"I spent time in every part of the airport, recording so many sounds from baggage belts to boarding calls, and used them to create something that reflects that whole pre-flight vibe," he continues. "It's all about building suspense and setting the mood for wherever you're headed on your summer holiday."
Finn Cliff Hodges is a freelance journalist. Follow him on Instagram
