Apple Music unveils Sound Therapy: A new audio wellness experience

Apple Music is expanding its wellness offerings with the launch of Sound Therapy, a curated collection of audio tracks designed to enhance mental well-being through the power of music and sound science. Developed in collaboration with Universal Music Group (UMG), this new feature blends familiar songs with specialized sound waves to help users focus, relax, or sleep more effectively.

The Sound Therapy collection is part of Apple’s broader push into health-conscious content, aligning music streaming with self-care routines. Unlike traditional wellness playlists, Sound Therapy enhances known tracks by layering them with scientifically-informed auditory elements, such as colored noise and brainwave-altering sound frequencies.

Music Meets Science

At the core of Sound Therapy is the use of auditory beats and colored noise, elements known to impact brain activity and emotional states. For example, the Sleep section combines pink noise — a natural-sounding hum reminiscent of rain or wind — with delta waves, which are associated with deep sleep and restfulness.

The Focus category utilizes gamma auditory beats paired with white noise, intended to improve concentration and mental clarity. Meanwhile, the Relax section features theta waves, known to support relaxation and mental unwinding.

Familiar Songs, Reimagined

What sets Sound Therapy apart is its creative transformation of songs that Apple Music users already love. Tracks from Imagine Dragons, Katy Perry, Kacey Musgraves, Ludovico Einaudi, AURORA, Jhené Aiko, Chelsea Cutler, and Jeremy Zucker have been reworked into extended, instrumental versions that emphasize calming rhythms and ambient textures.

These adaptations were crafted by a team of producers and audio engineers at Sollos, UMG’s music wellness venture based in London. The goal is to preserve the emotional resonance of each song while enhancing its therapeutic qualities, offering listeners a unique fusion of familiarity and function.

Part of a Broader Wellness Strategy

Sound Therapy joins Apple Music Chill, a recently launched radio station focused on low-key sounds, mindful moments, and relaxing stories. Together, these offerings signal Apple’s intention to create a comprehensive audio wellness ecosystem within its music platform.

As interest in mental health and mindfulness continues to grow, tech companies like Apple are leveraging their platforms to deliver meaningful, evidence-informed experiences. With Sound Therapy, Apple Music is not just streaming songs — it’s helping users tap into the healing power of sound in their everyday lives.