So I’m increasingly finding that chiptunes are good music to work to.
Like baroque keyboard music, they tend to have pretty consistent rhythm and dynamics, allowing them to go into your back-brain while still being somewhat driving. But they also tend to be louder and more absorbing. No matter how much you turn up Bach’s English Suites, they don’t really take over your aural surroundings.
I also like how chiptunes are heavily focused in higher frequencies, which means they effectively drown out the human voice. If there are chatty coworkers around, this is invaluable.
In a solitary environment my ‘music to zone to’ would be mellower (think: Vangelis, or aforementioned baroque piano, or Global Communication). But when there are people nearby talking, I rely a lot on chiptunes and on more insistent techno like Underworld.
Now if only I could find a pair of headphones and/or earbuds that can be worn for upwards of 4 hours without causing ear pain.
Also, just 'cause, here’s one of the catchiest chiptunes ever – Mike Alsop’s music for Fairlight.