Ambient music is a genre of music that focuses on creating a particular atmosphere or mood rather than traditional musical structures such as melody or rhythm. It often features electronic or acoustic sounds that are layered and manipulated to create a sense of space or texture. Ambient music typically emphasizes the use of soundscapes, often incorporating field recordings of natural or urban environments, and sometimes incorporates elements of drone or minimalism. It is intended to be listened to as background music, often serving as a calming or relaxing accompaniment to other activities such as reading or meditation.