chillout

Chillout is a term used in music and culture to describe a calm, atmospheric style and mood oriented toward relaxation. It originated in the early 1990s within European electronic music scenes, where clubs installed "chillout rooms" to provide a non-rhythmic space away from the main dance floor. The sound drew on ambient, downtempo, trip-hop, and lounge traditions, combining slow tempos, spacious, muted textures, softly sung or instrumental melodies, and minimal rhythms.

Typical tempos range roughly from 60 to 90 BPM, though tracks may vary. Chillout often emphasizes atmosphere over danceable grooves, with producers using reverb, pads, piano or guitar chords, and gentle percussion. Subgenres commonly associated with chillout include ambient, downtempo, and lounge; it is also linked to related styles such as exotica and lounge house.

The phenomenon was popularized globally by compilation series such as Café del Mar (Ibiza) and Hotel Costes in the 1990s, which showcased soundscapes that defined the aesthetic. In clubs, chillout rooms provide a counterpoint to energetic floors; outside clubs, the term is used to describe music, playlists, and spaces designed for relaxation, including spa and café settings, as well as film and video game soundtracks seeking a tranquil mood.

In the streaming era, "chillout" has become a broad umbrella term encompassing electronic, acoustic, and vocal music that prioritizes mood and subtlety over intensity.