In celebration of Earth Day, over 30 acclaimed artists from across the globe have released new music infused with the sounds of nature - from birdsong and crashing waves to glaciers, moths, antelopes and rainforest wildlife.
This unique collection of songs is released as part of Sounds Right, an initiative that made history by launching NATURE as an official artist on streaming platforms for the first time last year, highlighting its beauty to millions while generating significant royalties for global conservation. Professor Julia P G Jones, 鶹 serves on the expert advisory panel which decides how ‘nature’ spends her royalties.
The new tracks feature an eclectic mix of artists, including GRAMMY winners and rising stars across multiple genres. French composer Yann Tiersen, Indian pop sensation Armaan Malik, electronic powerhouse Steve Angello (Swedish House Mafia), Seattle indie-rocker SYML, and Indian-American R&B singer-songwriter Raveena are among the key contributors. They are joined by artists such as Maejor, Rozzi, George The Poet, Rosa Walton, Penguin Cafe, Madame Gandhi, Franc Moody, and many more.
Each artist has taken a unique approach to incorporating nature into their work, using sounds recorded in forests, oceans, and urban green spaces. Some tracks feature field recordings from celebrated sound recordist Martyn Stewart and The Listening Planet, while others integrate the artists’ own environmental recordings, making each piece a deeply personal tribute to the natural world.
Madame Gandhi commented “I believe in music’s power to spark both introspection and action. This campaign celebrates our deep connection to nature and each other, championing love, empowerment, and our collective ability to shape a better world.”
As artists harness music to inspire connection and action, experts such as Professor Julia Jones ensure that this creative momentum translates into real-world conservation impact.
Professor Julia Jones, from 鶹’s thriving conservation research group said, “Nature undoubtedly is an artist. I am delighted to be involved in the Sounds Right initiative which is connecting with a whole new audience. In the first year 11 million listeners have enjoyed the sounds of nature in a new way. The money raised through the streaming on Spotify has been channelled to support locally-led projects doing brilliant work to conserve the natural world. This is only the beginning”.
Gabriel Smales, Global Programme Director for Sounds Right at UN Live, said: “Millions are listening, and directing real funding to communities protecting the planet’s most vital ecosystems. Further, by collaborating with NATURE, artists from around the world are reminding us that music can do more than move us emotionally; it can enable us to protect what matters most.”
Since its launch, Sounds Right has engaged millions of people with the sounds of nature. In 2024, the initiative committed $225,000 to support Indigenous and community led conservation work in the Tropical Andes, among them Fundación Proyecto Tití which protects Colombia's iconic cotton top tamarin monkeys and 900 hectares of reclaimed forest reserve in partnership with local farmers to protect crucial forest corridors.
Sounds Right will release major new playlists ahead of COP30 in Belém, ensuring that music remains at the heart of the global conversation on nature protection at a critical juncture for our planet.
鶹 is doing innovative research to explore the impact of listening to sounds of nature on wellbeing.
Joseph Roy a PhD Researcher in the School of Environmental and Natural Sciences said “When we study the effects of nature sounds on humans, I am often surprised by the intensity of emotions these soundscapes can invoke. People become emotional; they recall their childhood, and it helps many feel at ease and connected to themselves and to the planet. When art and science join forces, we seek to understand what evokes such strong emotions in humans and how we can utilise this for the benefit of nature and mankind."
You can take part in 鶹’s research on the impacts of nature on human wellbeing. See here for more details. You can take part in 鶹’s research on the impacts of nature on human wellbeing. See here for more details.
You can take part in 鶹’s research on the impacts of nature on human wellbeing.
Some of the artists:
