World Sleep Day is an annual call to action about the importance of healthy sleep. An internationally recognized awareness event, it focuses on the impact of sound sleep habits on overall well-being. This year’s activity is especially significant given reports of a surge in insomnia during the worldwide pandemic – a phenomenon being called “coronasomnia” (BBC News). World Sleep Society estimates that two billion people are living with insomnia. Yet research has shown that listening to music at bedtime can help people fall asleep quicker and improve sleep quality. A study published in Musicae Scientia in December 2020 cited pieces by Yiruma and Einaudi as among those which were successful in aiding sleep. Both artists have created new music for World Sleep Day.
As someone who struggles with insomnia, Sophie Hutchings is pleased to be involved in the project. She says, “It’s great to see music integrated with World Sleep Day as I think it can play an imperative role in nurturing sleep issues as it decreases levels of cortisol and it also triggers the release of dopamine, so even if you can’t sleep it will at least create a relaxing environment making for a more supportable night.”
To mark World Sleep Day, 20 leading international musicians from 8 different labels within Universal Music Group have come together to create 18 brand new tracks to help provide a soothing soundtrack to aid a healthy night’s rest. This major global initiative, supported by World Sleep Society, features a host of new compositions, arrangements, collaborations and remixes. They will be released as digital singles on Friday 19 March and also made available via a specially-curated playlist: here
Mercury KX Artists
1 Luke Howard: Passion / Sleep – Listen
2 Sophie Hutchings: Love & Keep – Listen
3 Federico Albanese: Early Dance (Redux Version) – Listen
4 Isobel Waller-Bridge: Illuminations – Listen
Luke Howard
Isobel Waller Bridge
Sophie Hutchings
Federico Albanese