Yacht rock is a carefree, trivial slice of paradise that when done right, can pacify the weight of the world, and that’s something we all need right about now

Will your dog really care if you tell Alexa to put on a “pet playlist” as you leave the house? The answer, quite simply, is maybe. We all know that animals are able to create and respond to their own unique music. Birdsong has inspired human composers and musicians for centuries, and other animals like whales and frogs use their voices to communicate with others around them. Scientists and musicians have picked up on this use of musicality and researched ways in which music could be used to positively influence our own pets. Recent findings have shown that application of music in various pet species can be a bit more complex than leaving Ingrid Michaelson on before you run out for groceries. Research sought out whether existing music would be the most effective, or if new compositions tailored specifically to each species would have a greater impact. Furthermore, if new music was to be created, what would it sound like?

According to conclusions published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, dogs respond similarly to humans when listening to respective genres of music. Classical music tends to relax them and allow them to remain in longer sleep states, while metal induces nervousness and anxiety. Outside research has even suggested music like reggae can have a similarly relaxing effect for dogs who are expected to remain awake, but not alert for extended periods of time. When applied, this type of research allows kennel owners, veterinary surgeons. and working families to quell the restlessness of their dogs by playing this music during times when they’re especially prone to stress or loneliness. This is especially useful for organizations that have a high capacity of animals in a relatively small space, as a collective sense of calm is able to decrease disruptive and destructive behaviors. Amazon’s Alexa had a new feature called Puppy Jams installed in 2019 that allowed pet owners to request a playlist for their dog based off of their current mood (stressed, lonely or happy). Based on the input information, a playlist would be generated using iHeartRadio, which would spit out a collection of songs falling into the genres of classical, soft rock, reggae and more.

On the other hand, cats don’t seem to give a shit about classical music. The same research methods used on cats concluded that they only notably respond to music that operates within the frequency and tempo ranges of their own personal communication. Enter a new wave of composers who write and record music specifically for pets. A leader in the field of animal composition, David Teie’s music features sounds that replicate the high pitched meows and sonorous purrs of cats in order to instill a sense of familiarity in them. Even better, these sounds aren’t created using recorded, repurposed sounds. Teie’s commitment to the craft led him to study the waveforms of animals sounds, deconstruct their makeup, and separately recreate their component parts for the most optimal response. The recording process is done with many regular instruments, including pianos, harps, cellos and flutes, so they may sound like classical, relaxing compositions with some cat-like noises added in. However, Teie’s post-production process includes pitching some lines past the frequency threshold of human hearing, creating dimensions in the music that can only be enjoyed by cats themselves. Applied in a similar way to music for dogs, these compositions are used to relax cats for extended periods of time. Teie currently has two albums on Spotify, respectively titled Music for Cats Album One and Music for Cats Album Two. He gained exposure through partnerships with universities such as University of Wisconsin and Towson University (where he did a TED talk), allowing him to spread the findings of his research and continue to expand into more complex species research. His newest projects include research into the possibilities of composing music for horses and monkeys, more ‘listening animals’ who display a range of reactions to unique soundscapes.

Accommodating the complexity of animals’ listening and processing of music requires a venture into new ways of creating and perceiving music. The potential for music to elicit an emotional response is present among many species, we’re just now becoming smart enough to realize it. Exploring musicality that doesn’t cater to the human brain is difficult because we will never truly know the impact that our work has. Nonetheless, it wouldn’t hurt to consider testing out the effects of these pet-friendly compositions on your own animals. At the very least, they might end up doing something cute while you play it.

• Drew Quercio (Music Industry)