It is not always easy for me to name my tracks. I’m starting to favor using abstract names for tracks to prevent having to think about them so much. Here are some ways I’m starting to use for naming my tracks in abstract ways and maybe the same approach could help you too.
Abstract Names
What are abstract names anyway? A good example may be Aphex Twin. He does not give obvious, meaningful names to tracks. Here’s an example of some of them:
I, myself, often assign some nonsense name to my tracks when I am making them, but this is just because I don’t want to spend time trying to think of what to name them at the time. If I did take the time, that would take me out of my creativity mode, and I could lose my track-making ability for the session.
Here’s an example of some of the names I assign to tracks while I am making them (left column):
So, I thought, what would be the problem with just releasing my music tracks with these seemingly odd names? As it turns out, probably nothing.
The Benefits of Abstract Track Names
Thinking it through, I think it could actually be a good idea to use abstract names for tracks:
- Abstract or cryptic names invite listeners to project their own meanings, emotions, or stories onto the music. This can make the listening experience more personal and open-ended, as fans are not “boxed in” by a title’s narrative or mood.
- By not providing descriptive cues, you allow listeners to experience the music without preconceived notions, which Aphex Twin has cited as a core reason for his approach. He prefers that listeners form their own interpretations, unmediated by the expectations a title might set
- Fans who enjoy abstract titles view this approach as a sign that the artist focuses on sound and feeling rather than explicit narrative which matches the experimental and electronic music ethos.
- Cryptic or coded titles can foster a sense of community among fans who enjoy deciphering meanings or sharing theories. Aphex Twin fans who actively participate in this activity have made track title guessing a popular tradition.
- Non-descriptive or technical titles can serve as personal markers, referencing equipment, places, or inside jokes that are meaningful to you, even if opaque to the audience.
- This approach can be seen as a reaction against marketing-driven, easily digestible naming conventions, reinforcing an outsider or experimental vibe. Maybe that’s the kind of vibe you’re interested in giving, and if it is, this is yet another reason to go this way.
Modeling an Approach to Abstract Track Naming
Here’s a table that encompasses what I believe I (or you) could use to come up with some really interesting abstract track names, and I’ve used Aphex Twin as an example of the approach:
| Approach | Aphex Twin’s Naming | How You Can Apply It | Your Examples |
| abstract, invented words | Vordhosbn, Xtal | make up words, use random syllables, extend or distort real words, add on to words | ceejic, quantasmurf, collegiateism, expertistic, syllabbiq, Glinthawa, Zoreph |
| technical, metadata-driven | 4 bit 9d api+e+6, 180db_ | use file names, use names of gear or plugins, add version numbers | fender21, xistor, infiniverb72, guit-9, monochord.exe, append-x, FET logic, mix2final_v5, TR808seq23 |
| wordplay, anagrams | Acrid Avid Jam Shred | encode personal jokes, use scrambled words | zesty shrine (anagram for synthesizer), folly of exit 17 (an inside joke), Racnoid (anagram of draconian) |
| spontaneous, playful | Pancake Lizard, Peek 824545201 | name tracks on a whim without overthinking | lobbybastic, cornelswoop, Bumblepop, Twiddlecrush |
| avoiding prescriptive meaning | Untitled, Tha | don’t describe the music or mood directly | Nex, Rintol, Cavic, junginestor, esticwise |
| multi-lingual, phonetic play | Jynweythek, Hy A Scullyas | mix languages, use odd spellings | Chantézra, Klynevo |
| nonsense words | Fingerbib | create words that do not exist and that have no meanings | neckwork, pianono, normist, que, hjhk, terw |
| combine concepts | Windowlicker | create interesting juxtapositions, combine seemingly unrelated words | haptic jukebox, flight of the wooly aphid, night of the goat man, overactive meerkat, carpetbasket, birdcrawler |
There can be a lot of overlap for sure and this is by no means an exhaustive listing, but I hope it could get you started in thinking of abstract track names.
Lowercase Track Titles
Capitalization is really up to you. I know that some platforms will capitalize your track names automatically as a matter of convention, but using lower-case words in track titles can provide a bold statement (or understatement).
Lower-case titles can signal a break from mainstream and convey a “do-it-yourself” kind of vibe. It can bring a new sense of authenticity to the artist. In addition, some music, like ambient, is already sparse and of a lower-case vibe or genre. There is even “lowercase ambient” as a genre. So if you’re making this type of music, it can add a lot of authenticity to the artist by going all lowercase.