Apple Music’s ‘Sound Therapy’ Blends Pop Hits with Science for Focus, Relaxation, and Sleep
Apple Music is diving into the wellness space with a new feature called 'Sound Therapy,' a collaboration with Universal Music Group (UMG). This innovative offering remixes popular songs with scientifically-backed sound waves to help users achieve clearer focus, deeper relaxation, and better sleep. Is this just another music playlist or a genuine attempt to enhance well-being?
According to a press release, Sound Therapy is designed to assist listeners in attaining “clearer focus, deeper relaxation, and better sleep.” The collection features extended, instrumental, and reimagined versions of songs from artists like Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, and Kacey Musgraves.
The Sound Therapy playlists are categorized into three sections: Focus, Relax, and Sleep. These tracks are enhanced with auditory beats or colored noise to potentially trigger specific brain responses. Gamma waves and white noise are used to aid in focusing, theta waves for relaxation, and delta waves combined with pink noise for better sleep. As Apple and UMG explain, a reimagined version of Katy Perry’s “Double Rainbow” might help users drift off to sleep, while an Imagine Dragons track could provide the motivation to tackle a to-do list.
Michael Nash, UMG’s executive vice president and chief digital officer, emphasizes the strategic priority and potential commercial opportunity of elevating music's role in health and wellbeing. Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s co-head, highlights the engagement around personalized mood playlists and the Apple Music Chill radio station, signifying the growing interest in music-based wellness solutions.
The collection was crafted by a team at Sollos, a music-wellness venture incubated within UMG’s London offices. These tracks are designed retaining the artist’s original vision but harnessing the power of sound waves, psychoacoustics, and cognitive science to help listeners relax or focus the mind.
This launch follows the recent debut of Apple Music Chill, a new radio station dedicated to providing a sanctuary of sound for listeners seeking refuge throughout their day. With new features are continually being added, will people gravitate to these kinds of sonic offerings?
Available exclusively on Apple Music, Sound Therapy requires an active subscription. Are you ready to blend your favorite pop songs with a dose of science? Let us know what you think of Apple Music's latest endeavor in the comments below!
