Rolling With The Rhythm: The Best Music To Get High With

When I was eighteen, my best friend hooked up his dad's vintage hi-fi stereo system in a shed, with four speakers pointing at the centre of a makeshift "conversation pit" we built with mattresses and cushions. Appropriately dubbed The Shed, this is where we'd spend the coming years smoking and having some of the most profound music-listening experiences I can recall. Below, I'll share some of the records we spun, as well as other great music to listen to when you’re high.

Cannabis & music: A perfect harmony

There's no shortage of good duets, but cannabis and music are high on the list, especially for musicians and melophiles. Countless artists (including some of those mentioned later on in this article) cherish weed for its ability to enhance their creativity and help them think outside the box. In the words of Bob Dylan, "[hash and pot] aren't drugs. They just bend your mind a little. I think everybody's mind should be bent once in a while". And for those of us on the other side of the speakers, a few tokes of good herb can be just as elevating.

How does cannabis elevate our experience of music?

Of course, everyone's experience with cannabis is different, and smoking weed isn't necessarily for everyone. If you do enjoy cannabis and music, pairing the two is an excellent choice. On the one hand, many people find cannabis to be relaxing and soothing, helping them get into a calm state where they can listen to music in a much more attentive way. At the same time, weed can also seem to make music sound more "alive" or "3D", especially if you're listening on a hi-fi system or with really good headphones. You might find yourself picking up on the finer details of songs and simply connecting to the music in a much deeper way.

The perfect stoner playlist

Ready to rock out with your joint lit? With so much great music out there, curating the perfect smoking playlist is no easy feat. So, I’ve broken this selection of great stoner music into two lists: All-Time Classics, where you'll find a selection of records from artists that could be considered "must-haves" for anyone with a love for music and weed, and Left of Centre Author's Picks, where I've compiled some personal favourites to which I've enjoyed many a spliff and I hope you will too.

So, without further ado, happy listening and smoking!

All-Time Classics

What follows are some undisputed classics among stoners.

Bob Marley and The Wailers

Has there ever been a more iconic stoner than the Soul Rebel himself? Bob Marley left us with a legacy of a discography that's so good it should be taught to kids at schools. Some must-listen records by Bob and his Wailers include:

• Exodus, a classic of classics that's almost sinful to leave off any weed music playlist.
• African Herbsman, a Jamaican release produced by Lee Scratch Perry that features stunning stripped-down versions of hits like Lively Up Yourself, Trench Town Rock, and Duppy Conqueror.
• Kaya, a sometimes overlooked masterpiece from 1978 featuring Chris Blackwell's / Island Records' iconic production sound.

Pink Floyd

I'd lose my job if I wrote an article about stoner music and didn't mention Pink Floyd. And with good reason—their records tore open the world's third eye and diluted its pupil. Most articles about weed music recommend Dark Side of the Moon, and I'd agree. But for an alternative, check out Echoes: The Best of Pink Floyd. While I'm not one for "best of" albums, Echoes is a concept album that masterfully spans Pink Floyd's career from 1967 to 1994 with no breaks in the music, thanks to the subtly excellent production of James Guthrie.

Notable mentions

There are some standards that are just undeniable. And when it comes to great stoner music, I could fill a book of standards. Some notable classics that I can't go into in detail here include:

• "American Beauty" by The Grateful Dead, arguably the Dead's strongest set of songs.
• "Harvest" by Neil Young, a folk-rock masterpiece featuring some of Young's sweetest melodies.
• "In Rainbows" by Radiohead, one of the best records from one of the best rock bands of the last 30+ years (you can hunt me down on social media if you think I'm wrong).
• “The Chronic” by Dr. Dre. Must I say more?
• “Rubber Soul” by The Beatles, rich with harmoniums, sitars, fuzzy bass tones, and some of the most iconic melodies in pop music history.
• “Axis: Bold As Love” by Jimi Hendrix, easily one of rock’s most influential records with excellent production.

Left of Centre (Author's Picks)

Now that I've done my dues and paid homage to undoubtedly some of the most important stoner albums and artists, here comes the real fun. Below I've handpicked records that make for exceptional listening under the spell of the herb. The list features a little bit of something for everyone, from upbeat, lighthearted instrumentals to deep and dark sonic expeditions. Ready to listen?

The Roots of Chicha - Psychedelic Cumbias From Peru

Psychedelia spread like wildfire in the 60s and 70s, and Peru's jungles and towering mountains weren't enough to keep out its spread. This compilation album features remasters of some of the most iconic Chicha tunes and sets the perfect stage for a trippy session. Spark up with Los Mirlos' Sonido Amazonico and enjoy as you get lost in an almost hour-long journey through a jungle of phased, vibrato-ed guitar licks and spicy cumbia rhythms.

Con Todo El Mundo - Khruangbin

Khruangbin's second studio album is an absolute delight for lovers of easy-listening soft psychedelia with worldly influences. From the drum fill that opens Como Me Quieres to the slow, sensual groove of Friday Morning, Con Todo El Mundo is a fabulous record to listen to as you burn down a fat one. Enjoy it in the company of close friends as you game, chat, and eat, or with that special someone as you go searching for satisfaction between the sheets.

The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers - Yin Yin

If Con Todo El Mundo is too slow and sexy for you, try this one on for size. The debut album from Yin Yin, a quartet hailing from Holland’s southernmost city of Maastricht, The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers is full to the brim with danceable rhythms, electrifying guitar solos, and plenty of reverb and delay tails that'll bounce around beautifully in your stoned head. A great record for morning sessions, cleaning the house, or pre-gaming with friends.

James Blake - James Blake

Are you a miserable piece of s**t? Sometimes the only way to get over a tough time is by charging through it with your head held high as you take heavy-handed blows to the heart. With a hit of the herb and James Blake's dark, mysterious debut studio album, you're in for a helluva a ride (in a sad but good way). Let yourself "fall in" (see The Wilhelm Scream) to a deep, dark pit of mystery and you might just come out the other side feeling better than ever before.

Paranoid Cocoon - Cotton Jones

After trekking to the depths of the abyss with James Blake, this record serves as the perfect pick-me-up. The second album by songwriter Michael Nau is rife with catchy melodies, a grainy, spacey aesthetic, and rock-solid compositions. A great afternoon delight that'll help you unwind after a long day and transition into whatever the night has in store. Just don't pay too much attention to the album's title, which I've purposely avoided repeating here in case you're already high.

Pink Moon - Nick Drake

The minute I hear the strum of the first chord on Pink Moon, I feel as if I’m living life through a 35 mm camera lens. Nick Drake’s soft, warm voice, genuine poetry, and iconic guitar playing are deeply soothing, regardless of whether you enjoy them out in nature, in the comfort of your home, or on headphones as you commute. The next time you light up, treat yourself to what is considered one of the most influential folk albums of all time by one of the best songwriters (who was very fond of weed himself).

Depression Cherry - Beach House

Over 30 and chronically burned-out, there's almost nothing I'd stay up all night for—except the opportunity to listen to Levitation (the opening track on this 2015 banger by Beach House) and watch the sun come up on a high balcony or terrace with my besties. Despite its name, Beach House's 2015 LP Depression Cherry is strangely uplifting—maybe it’s the grainy lo-fi beats, the fuzzy guitars, the haunting vocals, or the seemingly endless layers of synths (or all of those things)… It's definitely all of those things.

Straight Outta Compton - N.W.A

To be fair, this could easily belong at the top of this article along with the other All-Time Classics. This is another great record for energetic sessions as you work from home, clean the house, or go on a run. Enjoy a piece of hip-hop history and one of the genre's most important works ever, featuring some of Dr. Dre's earliest productions.

High notes: Elevate your session with the best music

Ready to lift off? Shortlist the records on this list for your next session and enjoy. And remember—music is super subjective. If I’ve left out one of your favourite records to smoke to, share it with me at @stevevoser or let us know in the comments!

Steven Voser

Steven Voser is an independent cannabis journalist with over 6 years of experience writing about all things weed; how to grow it, how best to enjoy it, and the booming industry and murky legal landscape surrounding it.

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