Some developers cannot write a single line of code without music. Others are convinced that absolute silence is the only way to think.

This quiet disagreement shapes how we work more than we admit. It influences focus, collaboration, open office tensions, remote work rituals, and even how teams define “productivity.” Yet, most developers choose their work soundtrack out of habit, not intention.

Here’s the interesting part. Music is not neutral.

What you listen to while coding can directly affect your ability to focus, reason, debug, and create. Rhythm, tempo, and lyrics all interact with the brain in ways that can either support deep work or completely sabotage it.

In this talk, we will look at music the way engineers like to look at systems. What actually happens in the brain when you code with sound? Why do some genres help with flow while others destroy it? When silence works, when it does not, and how to choose intentionally instead of arguing opinions.

We will explore research from neuroscience and cognitive science, test the silence versus soundtrack debate, and run a few live audio experiments.

Expect humor, relatable developer stories, and playlists you will want to steal.