Apple Music and Universal Music Group Team Up for “Sound Therapy” – Your New Sleep and Focus Aid?
Apple Music and Universal Music Group (UMG) have announced a new partnership to bring Sound Therapy to the streaming platform, aiming to help listeners focus, relax, and ultimately, sleep better. This collaboration introduces specially curated playlists featuring remixes of tracks from UMG artists like Glass Animals, Imagine Dragons, and Katy Perry, all designed with the help of scientists and audio engineers to optimize soundwave profiles for specific states of mind.
The Sound Therapy collection on Apple Music offers three distinct categories: Focus, Relax, and Sleep. According to Apple, the Focus category uses gamma auditory beats and white noise to enhance concentration and cognitive performance. One reviewer at TechRadar found the white noise initially distracting but noted that it quickly faded into the background, becoming an unnoticeable part of the soundtrack. While useful, some find the 'Focus' playlist similar to existing lo-fi options already popular for work and study.
The Relax category infuses original music with theta auditory beats, intended to help you loosen up. A highlight is the extended remix of Heat Waves by Glass Animals. These tracks are ideal for background noise while reading, cooking, or unwinding.
However, the Sleep category seems to be where Sound Therapy truly shines. One user at TechRadar found that the sleep tracks provided a solution they loved. While pink noise or rain sounds aren’t new, the ad-free experience and easy control via the Sonos app have significantly improved their sleep routine.
Michael Nash, UMG’s executive vice president and chief digital officer, emphasizes the strategic priority of elevating music’s role in health and wellbeing. Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s co-head, highlights the incredible engagement around personalized mood playlists and the new Apple Music Chill radio station. Sound Therapy blends familiar songs with specialized sound waves to enhance daily routines, all while respecting the artist’s original vision.
The science behind Sound Therapy involves auditory beats and colored noise to encourage specific brain responses. Gamma waves and white noise are associated with focus, theta waves with relaxation, and delta waves and pink noise with better sleep. Imagine Dragons tracks may help with tackling to-do lists. While some scepticism remains, the potential benefits for some users could be significant. The collaboration extends Apple's commitment to healthier living, complementing offerings like Apple Watch and Apple Fitness+.
Apple Music's Sound Therapy arrives alongside the brand-new Apple Music Chill radio station, offering a sanctuary of sound with continuous chill highlights and mindful moments to promote calm.
Will Sound Therapy revolutionize the way we focus, relax, and sleep? It's certainly worth a try for Apple Music subscribers. Have you given it a listen? Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!
