Creating a stunning timelapse video is an art, and the right music is the secret ingredient that elevates it from good to unforgettable. Finding the best songs for timelapse, however, can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. The perfect track needs to complement the visuals, building emotion and adding narrative depth without distracting from the breathtaking scenes unfolding on screen. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out with your first timelapse project, choosing the right soundtrack is crucial. This list will delve into the genre-bending world of music perfect for timelapses, encompassing uplifting orchestral scores, ambient electronica, and mellow acoustic pieces – all designed to evoke the feeling of wonder and awe that these captivating videos capture. We'll explore what makes a song ideal for a timelapse and provide you with a curated selection guaranteed to enhance your next project. Get ready to discover the soundtrack to your next visual masterpiece!
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Something Just Like This |
Coldplay The Chainsmokers | Memories...Do Not Open | 2B+ |
| 2. Adventure of a Lifetime | Coldplay | A Head Full of Dreams | 2B+ |
| 3. Midnight City | M83 | Hurry Up, We're Dreaming | 465M+ |
| 4. Weightless | Marconi Union | 121M+ | |
| 5. Sunset Lover | Petit Biscuit | 98M+ | |
| 6. Time Lapse | TheFatRat | 89M+ | |
| 7. Dreams | Fleetwood Mac | Rumours (Super Deluxe) | 59M+ |
1. Something Just Like This (Memories...Do Not Open)
Uplifting Melody: The soaring synth melodies and anthemic chorus of "Something Just Like This" create a sense of expansive movement, perfectly complementing the unfolding visuals of a timelapse.
Driving Beat: Its steady, driving beat provides a compelling rhythmic structure that maintains engagement throughout even the longest timelapse sequences.
Energetic Vibe: The overall energetic and positive vibe of the song lends itself to creating a dynamic and exciting visual experience, making it ideal for showcasing scenes of change and transformation.
2. Adventure of a Lifetime (Coldplay)
Tempo and Rhythm: Coldplay's "Adventure of a Lifetime" boasts a driving, yet subtly uplifting tempo that complements the gradual unfolding of timelapse footage, creating a sense of dynamic movement and progression.
Anthemic Quality: The song's powerful, layered vocals and anthemic chorus provide a strong emotional backbone, effectively enhancing the viewer's experience of the timelapse's visual journey, no matter how short or long.
Emotive Soundscape: The rich instrumentation and layered production create a soundscape that is both exciting and reflective, perfectly capturing the passage of time and the transformation shown in timelapse photography.
3. Midnight City (M83)
Dreamy Synthwave Soundscape: M83's "Midnight City" boasts a sweeping soundscape of shimmering synths and driving basslines, perfectly complementing the gradual unfolding of timelapse visuals.
Building Intensity and Momentum: The track's gradual crescendo and layered instrumentation create a natural sense of progression, ideal for mirroring the changes in a timelapse sequence.
Emotive and Atmospheric: Its melancholic yet uplifting melody evokes a sense of wonder and nostalgia, making it a captivating sonic backdrop for visually stunning timelapse footage.
4. Weightless - 2025
Tempo and Dynamics: "Weightless" unfolds at a slow, deliberate pace, featuring subtle shifts in dynamics that create a naturally evolving soundscape perfectly suited to the gradual unfolding of a timelapse.
Ambient Textures: The track's ambient textures and gentle melodies provide a soothing and non-intrusive backdrop, allowing the visual elements of your timelapse to take center stage without competing for attention.
Length and Structure: Its extended length and seamless, repetitive structure make it ideal for longer timelapse projects, ensuring a consistent mood throughout the duration of your video.
5. Sunset Lover (2015)
Tempo and Mood: Petit Biscuit's "Sunset Lover" boasts a mellow tempo and dreamy atmosphere, perfectly complementing the slow, unfolding nature of timelapse photography. Its gentle rhythm creates a sense of calm and progression ideal for visual storytelling.
Melodic Flow: The song's flowing melody and subtle instrumentation provide a captivating soundscape without being distracting or overpowering the visual elements of the timelapse.
Emotional Resonance: The track evokes a feeling of serene nostalgia, enhancing the emotional impact of scenes depicting sunsets, nature, or urban landscapes evolving over time.
6. Time Lapse (TheFatRat - 2025)
Tempo and Rhythm: Time Lapse boasts a driving, yet subtly evolving rhythm that perfectly complements the gradual unfolding of visuals in a timelapse video. Its pacing feels both dynamic and patient, mirroring the passage of time itself.
Atmospheric Soundscape: The song's layered sounds and uplifting melodies create a captivating soundscape, adding an emotional depth to your timelapse project. The mix of electronic elements and orchestral touches provides a wide range of moods to match different visual sequences.
Emotional Resonance: Its hopeful and inspiring tone makes it ideal for timelapses showcasing nature, cityscapes, or other scenes evoking a sense of wonder and transformation. The track's energy subtly shifts and grows, mirroring the feeling of witnessing progress and change.
7. Dreams - Rumours (Super Deluxe)
Dreamy Atmosphere: Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" possesses a wistful, ethereal quality, perfectly complementing the slow, unfolding visuals of a timelapse.
Gentle Rhythm: The song's relaxed tempo and steady beat create a soothing backdrop, enhancing the sense of time passing seamlessly.
Iconic Vocals: Stevie Nicks' instantly recognizable vocals add a touch of timeless charm, making the timelapse feel both nostalgic and contemporary.
8. Go
Driving Beat: Go's relentless, hypnotic rhythm provides a perfect pulse for a timelapse, keeping the viewer engaged without overpowering the visuals.
Evolving Soundscape: The track subtly shifts and builds throughout, mirroring the gradual changes often captured in timelapse photography.
Energetic Vibe: Its powerful yet atmospheric sound creates a sense of forward momentum, ideal for showcasing scenes of progress or transformation.
9. Outro (M83 - 2025)
Tempo and Mood: Outro's slow build and gradual crescendo create a captivating sense of unfolding time, perfect for accompanying the slow transformations often seen in timelapses.
Atmospheric Soundscapes: M83 masterfully layers synths and textures to produce an immersive soundscape that evokes a feeling of wonder and vastness, ideal for enhancing the visual spectacle of a timelapse.
Length and Structure: The song's length and dynamic structure allow for a variety of timelapse durations, making it a versatile choice for different projects.
10. A Moment Apart
Tempo and Rhythm: ODESZA's "A Moment Apart" possesses a gradual, evolving tempo perfect for mirroring the slow unfolding of a timelapse sequence. Its subtle rhythmic shifts and layered instrumentation create a sense of movement and progression ideal for visual storytelling.
Atmospheric Soundscapes: The track's immersive soundscapes, built on lush synths and ambient textures, provide a captivating backdrop for any visual narrative. The evolving sonic landscape mirrors the changes often seen in timelapse photography.
Emotional Arc: The song's gradual build and release of emotion offers a compelling parallel to the dramatic changes captured in many timelapses, creating a powerful synergy between the audio and visual elements.
11Bohemian Like You
The Dandy Warhols
2000
12Glósóli
Sigur Rós
2005
13Time
Hans Zimmer
2010
Inception (Music from the Motion Picture)
14Arrival of the Birds
The Cinematic Orchestra
2008
15Experience
Ludovico Einaudi,Daniel Hope,I Virtuosi Italiani
2013
In A Time Lapse
16Cloud Atlas End Title
Johnny Klimek, Tom Tykwer, Reinhold Heil
2012