Apple has officially unveiled a complete brand identity refresh for Apple Music. Centered on the concept of being “made by sound,” the rebrand replaces static graphics with a dynamic visual language created by physical audio vibrations moving through fluid.
The update introduces a new logo, wordmark, monochrome color palette, audio mnemonic, and a unified aesthetic inspired by Apple’s Liquid Glass design system.
Key Highlights of the Rebrand
1. Visuals “Made by Sound” (No CGI)
Unlike traditional computer-generated rebrands, Apple created its new logo using actual physical sound waves:
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The Rig: Apple placed acrylic models of the Apple Music logo into a shallow tank filled with mineral oil.
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Transducer Technology: Using a transducer (a device that converts audio signals into physical vibrations), specific frequencies were played directly into the liquid.
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Captured in-Camera: The resulting ripples, light refractions, and wave patterns were filmed directly, giving the final logo organic movement and distortion created entirely by music.
2. Collaboration with Fred again.. & NEST Acoustics
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Apple partnered with British electronic music producer Fred again.. and NEST Acoustics to compose the custom audio mnemonic and frequencies used to vibrate the mineral oil.
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The process required months of tuning, as certain high notes caused excessive turbulence in the liquid, requiring subtle compositional adjustments to achieve the ideal wave pattern.
3. Shift to Black-and-White Palette
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Moving away from its iconic red branding, the core Apple Music experience is shifting to a sleek monochrome (black and white) visual scheme.
4. Custom SF Pro Typography & Lowercase Wordmark
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The new wordmark pairs the traditional Apple symbol with a customized, bold, lowercase version of Apple’s SF Pro typeface.
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The bold, lowercase styling—first teased at the opening of Apple Music Hall in London—gives the brand a more casual, vibrant energy while retaining its core identity.
5. Synergy with “Liquid Glass” Design
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The new visual identity directly aligns with Apple’s Liquid Glass design language.
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Combining wave dynamics with translucent glass optics creates a consistent, unified aesthetic across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
Rollout Timeline
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Original Tease: First spotted during the unveiling of Apple Music Hall in London.
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Original Content & Marketing: The new branding, video bumpers, and audio mnemonics are rolling out immediately across Apple Music original programming, concert footage, and advertising.
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App & OS Integration: The updated app icon and interface designs will reach users via the iOS 27.2 and macOS 27.2 software updates.
