frisson (and music that gives us the chills)

[underused]

frisson
a sudden strong feeling of excitement or fear; a thrill

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Frisson is an old word, but people are talking about it in a new(ish) context: musical frisson.

Researchers at The Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital determined that “even the anticipation of pleasurable music induces dopamine release” resulting in a galvanic skin response (the chills). It's the same kind of thrill we get from food, drugs, and sex.

According to neuroscientist Dr. Robert Zatorre:

“This is the first demonstration that an abstract reward such as music can lead to dopamine release. Abstract rewards are largely cognitive in nature, and this study paves the way for future work to examine non-tangible rewards that humans consider rewarding for complex reasons."

In other words, they want to figure out why our brains are rewarding us for something not (yet) demonstrably tied to survival.

Not everyone experiences musically-induced frisson, but studies suggest it’s more than half of us. There's even a Reddit group for people to share their most shiver-worthy recordings.

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Have you felt musical frisson? When?
Is there a song or recording that gives you a charge?

Comments

[underused]

The intro of the first track made me so happy!

But whoa that hymn--they really chose the location well for the acoustics.

amidthestars, if you stop by, def listen to merikuru's second link. I think you might love it.

[merikuru]

Heyr Himnasmiður is one of my favorite hymns, not gonna lie. So beautiful. <3

[full_metal_ox]

Those guys in the train station sound as if they're blessing the paladins on the brink of the climactic boss battle.

[merikuru]

Hahah! They do!

[amidthestars]

OH WOW, yes. This is all of my favourite musical things: acapella hymns, beautiful harmonies, big, echo-y spaces.

Also, I looked up the English translation of this, and it made me tear up a little:

"Drive out, O king of suns,
generous and great,
every human sorrow
from the city of the heart."

[underused]

Do I know you or what? ☺