Canon is known for many things—like producing top-tier professional DSLRs—but music isn’t one of them. Now, the iconic camera company is reframing its reputation with the release of their first-ever music album.
The brand has long focused on designing equipment to help people capture the world’s beauties and intricacies. Shifting the focus to the creatives behind the camera in lieu of its tech specs, Canon’s new album speaks to the time, energy and emotional labor devoted by its photographers, who pour countless hours into their work.
The album, Auto Focus, spans seven tracks and features 40 minutes of electronic soundscapes curated to boost productivity, creativity and focus. “Warm chord progressions” and “higher frequencies” collide to create rhythmic tones, according to a press release.
An ambient, eight-minute-long “brain break” track called “Pause” was composed to promote brain health in creatives, giving them a moment to turn off their busy minds. Additional research by Canon Europe found that it only takes people about six minutes of listening to calming melodies while they work to experience a “flow” of strong concentration.
Psychoacoustic expert Lyz Cooper teamed up with Jimmy Day of the music production collective LOYAL to produce the album for Canon.
“Our research at The British Academy of Sound Therapy has shown that when people enter a relaxed state, insights and inspirations may arise as well as a release of stress and tension mentally, physically and emotionally,” said Cooper, the organization’s founder. “This helps the creative process to flow more freely and prevents brain fatigue.”
Listen to Auto Focus below.