Drift Into Sound: 10 Essential Ambient & Experimental Labels to Explore

With the launch of Beatport’s brand-new ambient/experimental genre page, we’re diving deep into the labels that define the sound. From meditative drones to off-kilter electronics, these imprints are crafting some of the most transportive music out there. 

From fog-drenched soundscapes and modular dream worlds to piano-led meditations and fractured club echoes, this guide takes you through ten essential imprints that specialize in sonic transformation. Whether you're zoning in or zoning out, these are the catalogs worth getting lost in.

Founded by Ario Farahani, Astral Industries is a London-based record label renowned for its niche catalog that emphasizes immersive soundscapes and ethereal compositions. With sonically rich and artistically profound releases from the likes of Marco Shuttle, Rod Modell, Ear To Ear, Toki Futo, and more, the label’s distinctive artwork and commitment to crafting transcendent sonics demand recognition. If you're interested in ambient music that offers depth, artistry, and immersive experiences, Astral Industries is a label worth delving into.

Founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1993 by Bruce Adams and Joel Leoschke and currently based in Portland, Oregon, Kranky's forward-thinking catalog is often characterized by its droney, textural explorations, and patient listening experiences. Working with groups like Labradford and Stars of the Lid back in the ‘90s and boasting a catalog that stands with over 250 releases, its current day relationship with acts like Ana Roxanne, Tim Hecker, Grouper, Steve Hauschildt and Loscil shows that this recondite and spellbinding imprint continues to earn its flowers.

NOTON is a pioneering German label at the intersection of experimental electronic and ambient music, founded by sound artist Carsten Nicolai in 1994. Officially launching with the release of Spin under his alias Noto in 1996, NOTON quickly established itself as a hub for sonic minimalism and conceptual audio-visual work. In 1999, it joined forces with RasterMusic to form the influential Raster-Noton imprint, a groundbreaking collaboration that helped shape the landscape of 21st-century electronic music. After the split in 2017, NOTON returned as an independent force, continuing to push boundaries with releases from Nicolai (as Alva Noto), Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ryoji Ikeda, and other cutting-edge artists. With its sleek design sensibility and rigorous approach to sound, NOTON remains a vital platform for radical, future-facing audio art.

​Music From Memory is an independent record label based in Amsterdam, founded in 2013 by Abel Nagengast, Jamie Tiller, and Tako Reyenga. The label is renowned for reissuing obscure and visionary electronic music from the past, as well as releasing contemporary works. One of these more recent gems is a stunning V/A series Ambient Explorations In The House & Techno Age, Japan 1993-1999, a collection of methodical and seldom-heard tracks from early electronic music in The Land of the Rising Sun. This, on top of releases from the likes of Yu Su, Dubtribe Sound System, Terekke, Suso Sáiz, and more, brings forth a sound that is bound to live in your memory.

​Born out of a love for angles, lines, sharp things, and not taking techno too seriously, Diagonal Records is a London-based independent label founded in 2012 by Oscar Powell and Jaime Williams. Known for its avant-garde approach, Diagonal specializes in experimental electronic music that intersects techno, industrial, EBM, and post-punk genres. The music is skewed, jagged, and unpredictable, with a mishmashed artist roster NHK, The Modern Institute, Handy, Sote, and beyond. The music is confrontational, committed, noisy, dangerous, refined, and completely unpredictable. And we love it. 

Currently one of Oslo’s greatest sonic exports, Smalltown Supersound was first founded in 1993 by Joakim Haugland back in 1993 in the “small town” of Flekkefjord, Norway. The label has built a reputation for its eclectic catalog, spanning genres such as electronic, experimental, jazz, indie, and rock. With releases from dance floor heavyweights like Kelly Lee Owens, Lindstrøm, DJ Harvey, and Prins Thomas, it's a label that certainly knows how to make you move but is equally adept at curating ambient and experimental epics. From UK sound maverick Actress’s phenomenal Statik LP to Perlia’s architectural Intrinsic Rhythm and, most recently, modular mastermind Barker’s absolutely breathtaking album Stochastic Drift, Smalltown Supersound is all about timeless, exploratory music that invites deep listening and rewards curiosity.

RVNG Intl. is one of New York City’s most artfully curated avant-garde imprints. Based in Brooklyn and founded in 2003 by Matt Werth, the spectrum of sounds that RVNG has nurtured over the years isn’t a garden; it's a vast forest — one you can easily lose yourself in. A hallmark of RVNG Intl. is its commitment to unique collaborative projects and reissues. The FRKWYS series exemplifies this ethos by pairing contemporary musicians with pioneering artists, fostering intergenerational dialogues that result in distinctive works. FRKWYS Vol. 13 - Sunergy (Expanded), from synth whisper Kayitlin Aurelia Smith and the pioneering female composer and synthesist Suzanne Ciani, is a whirlpool of electronic radiance. The label's diverse roster also includes the likes of Holly Herndon, Julia Holter, Blondes, Visible Cloaks, Pauline Anna Strom, and more. RVNG Intl.'s holistic approach to music production and its commitment to community underscore its influence.

Anjunachill is the newly rebranded ambient, downtempo, and chillout imprint under the Anjuna umbrella, evolving from the Reflections label. Officially launched in 2022 and rebranded this year, Anjunachill builds on a legacy that began with Above & Beyond’s Flow State and the Reflections series. The label's inaugural 2025 release under its new name was Above & Beyond's single "Shall We Begin," a serene composition that set the tone for Anjunachill's musical direction. With over 250 releases from 70+ artists and 150 million streams, it has become a key player in the chillout scene. Anjunachill continues Anjuna's commitment to emotive, melodic music, complementing Anjunabeats and Anjunadeep. The rebrand marks a new chapter while honoring Anjuna’s roots in contemplative, genre-blurring soundscapes. Anjunachill continues to expand its roster with both established and emerging artists, such as Luttrell Cephas Azariah, Sydney Bryce, Laurel Violet, Trance Wax, and more. Seeking a tranquil and immersive auditory experience? Look no further.

Erased Tapes is a London-based independent label founded in 2007 by Robert Raths, known for championing emotionally rich and sonically adventurous music. Over the years, it’s built a loyal following for its thoughtful curation and signature sound — think intimate piano pieces, textured electronics, and immersive atmospheres. The label is home to standout artists like Nils Frahm, Ólafur Arnalds, and Rival Consoles, whose work has helped define Erased Tapes’ unique vibe: warm, moving, and always a little unexpected. From intimate solo piano works to expansive sound design, Erased Tapes continues to shape the future of modern composition and experimental music, earning a devoted following among audiophiles, cinephiles, and tastemakers alike.

Leaving Records is an LA-based independent label founded in 2009 by producer Matthewdavid and visual artist Jesselisa Moretti. While they proudly fly the “All Genre” flag, the label has become a go-to home for forward-thinking ambient, experimental, and modern new age sounds. They’ve released standout work from artists like Laraaji, Carlos Niño, Dntel, and Green-House, whose lush, meditative compositions have helped shape the current ambient revival. More than just a label, Leaving is all about community. Their monthly event, Listen to Music Outside in the Daylight Under a Tree, does exactly what it says — offering intimate outdoor performances that bring people together through nature and sound. Whether you’re deep into ambient or just looking for something that feels expansive and human, Leaving Records has got you covered.