I'm equally fascinated by this. Since creativity is about making connections between previously unrelated things, I imagine music expanding our lens of focus, allowing for more things to get in (and thus, welcoming novel connections that are beyond what's immediately noticeable) but not too much so as the mind is too relaxed to make meaningful connections.

What's more curious: if I don't have background music while working, I start whistling unconsciously. A kind of primal allure of the brain to enter that creative wavelength.

Captivating ideas Fab, thanks for the read.