Apple and Universal Music Group Launch Sound Therapy

May 13, 2025, Apple Music and Universal Music Group (UMG) unveiled Sound Therapy, an innovative audio wellness collection designed to enhance focus, relaxation, and sleep through the power of music and science. This exclusive feature for Apple Music subscribers blends familiar songs with specialized sound waves, marking a significant step forward in the intersection of music, technology, and well-being. Let’s dive into what Sound Therapy is, how it works, and why it’s a game-changer for wellness-focused listeners.

What is Sound Therapy?

Sound Therapy is a curated set of three playlists—Focus, Relax, and Sleep—available exclusively on Apple Music. These playlists feature extended, instrumental, or reimagined versions of tracks from UMG’s roster of global superstars, including Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Kacey Musgraves, Ludovico Einaudi, AURORA, Jhené Aiko, Chelsea Cutler, and Jeremy Zucker. Unlike standard playlists, these tracks are enhanced with auditory beats or colored noise, such as gamma, theta, or delta waves, to encourage specific brain responses.

The collection was developed by Sollos, a music-wellness venture incubated within UMG’s London offices. Sollos brought together producers, scientists, and audio engineers to craft this experience, leveraging cognitive science, psychoacoustics, and UMG’s proprietary audio technologies. The result is a premium listening experience that aims to support users’ daily routines without compromising the artist’s original vision.

How Does It Work?

Each Sound Therapy playlist is tailored to a specific mental state:

• Focus: Uses gamma waves and white noise—a whoosh-like blend of all sound frequencies—to help listeners concentrate and filter out distractions. For example, an Imagine Dragons track might be reworked to boost productivity while tackling a to-do list.
• Relax: Incorporates theta waves to promote deeper relaxation, ideal for unwinding after a long day or practicing mindfulness.
• Sleep: Features delta waves and pink noise, a gentler sound akin to rain or wind, to aid in falling asleep. A dreamy version of Katy Perry’s “Double Rainbow” is cited as a track that could help listeners drift off.

These enhancements are subtle, ensuring the music remains familiar and enjoyable while delivering potential cognitive benefits. Apple emphasizes that Sound Therapy is designed to support overall well-being, not to treat medical conditions, and is backed by scientific research, though the company uses cautious language like “may” and “could” to describe effects, acknowledging that the science is not conclusive.

The Technology and Science Behind It

The Sound Therapy initiative builds on the growing field of audio wellness, where sound waves and psychoacoustics are used to influence mental states. UMG’s Sollos team, which previously launched a standalone wellness app in October 2024, has been exploring this space since at least 2023. They’ve even filed patents for technologies that synchronize neural beats with digital audio files, showcasing their commitment to innovation.

Apple, known for its leadership in health and technology, is a natural partner for this venture. The company has a history of integrating wellness features across its ecosystem, from Background Sounds in iOS 15 to health-focused offerings like Apple Watch and Fitness+. With Sound Therapy, Apple Music extends its mood-based playlists and the recently launched Apple Music Chill radio station, which features calming tracks and mindful moments hosted by tastemakers like Brian Eno and Zane Lowe.

However, some skepticism exists. Critics note that claims about auditory beats, like binaural beats, often lack rigorous scientific backing, with studies showing results no better than placebos in some cases. Apple’s careful wording reflects this, positioning Sound Therapy as a wellness tool rather than a medical solution.

Why It Matters

The launch of Sound Therapy signals a broader trend: streaming services are evolving beyond music delivery to offer lifestyle-oriented experiences. For Apple Music subscribers (plans start at $5.99 for students and $10.99 for individuals), Sound Therapy adds value without extra cost, potentially competing with wellness apps like Calm, Headspace, or Endel. This move could also challenge Apple’s App Store model, where third-party wellness apps face revenue-sharing fees, by bringing similar functionality in-house.

For UMG, Sound Therapy aligns with a strategic priority to elevate music’s role in health and well-being, as articulated by Michael Nash, UMG’s EVP and Chief Digital Officer. Nash sees this as both a commercial opportunity and a passion project for UMG’s leadership, including Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge. The partnership with Apple validates Sollos’ science-led approach and could pave the way for further innovations in audio wellness.

How to Access Sound Therapy

Apple Music subscribers can find Sound Therapy in the “New” section of the Music app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. The playlists are seamlessly integrated, making it easy to incorporate them into daily routines. Following the success of personalized mood playlists and the Apple Music Chill radio station, Apple expects strong engagement with this feature.

Looking Ahead

Apple and UMG plan to collaborate closely with Sollos to further study the effects of music on well-being and expand Sound Therapy’s offerings. This could lead to more sophisticated audio wellness tools, potentially integrated with Apple’s health ecosystem, like HealthKit or Apple Watch, to track how these playlists impact users’ mental states.

In a world where stress and distractions are constant, Sound Therapy offers a refreshing way to use music as a tool for wellness. While the science may still be catching up, the combination of artistry, innovation, and accessibility makes this a compelling addition to Apple Music. Whether you’re looking to focus on a project, unwind, or catch better Z’s, Sound Therapy invites you to tune in and feel better.