This week marked an exciting development in the music streaming arena as tech powerhouse Apple partnered with Universal Music Group (UMG) to unveil **Sound Therapy**—a groundbreaking feature launched on Apple Music at no additional cost for its subscribers. This initiative seeks to transform the listening experience by offering a curated selection of albums specifically designed to boost concentration, foster relaxation, and improve sleep quality.
The **Sound Therapy** collection features eclectic remixes from notable artists, including Glass Animals, Imagine Dragons, and Katy Perry. Unlike traditional tracks, these selections are intricately arranged, blending rich instrumental sounds that have been fine-tuned by expert audio engineers and cognitive scientists. The objective? To create soundscapes that enhance mindfulness and mental function.
As an avid Apple Music subscriber, I was eager to evaluate the **Sound Therapy** feature and discern its potential benefits firsthand.
The **Sound Therapy** feature branches into three distinct categories: Focus, Relax, and Sleep. My initial exploration centered on the **Focus** collection, which Apple claims employs “gamma auditory beats and white noise to bolster concentration and cognitive performance.” Traditionally, I’ve depended on lo-fi beats or instrumental film scores to enhance my productivity. I’m pleased to say that the **Focus** playlist resonated well with my needs. As I immersed myself in the sounds, I initially detected a white noise undercurrent that was somewhat distracting. However, this background noise eventually harmonized seamlessly with the atmosphere, allowing me to concentrate fully on my tasks.
Listening became akin to a breathing exercise—if I concentrated too hard on the white noise, it stood out sharply. But when I redirected my focus to my work, the noise transformed into an essential component of the sound experience.
On the other hand, I found the **Relax** category didn’t quite outperform my existing playlists. Featuring theta auditory beats, these tracks are intended to promote unwinding. A highlight among the offerings was a mesmerizing remix of “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals, beautifully extended to almost an hour and divided into 19 soothing segments.
In my experience, these relaxing pieces make for ideal background noise while handling various tasks, like reading, cooking, or tinkering with Lego. Although neither the **Focus** nor the **Relax** playlists have entirely replaced my usual music selection, they have certainly carved out a distinct space in my routine.
Elevating Sleep Quality
For my fiancée and me, sound is integral to our nightly rituals. I often lean towards engaging educational videos—think Wendover Productions or Atrioc—while she enjoys comforting rewatch sessions of The Good Place.
Simultaneously playing both can lead to chaotic clashes rather than soothing harmony for sleep. I previously tried waiting for her to drift off before switching to my preferred choice, but this strategy seldom yielded the serene environment I sought.
With the introduction of **Sound Therapy** sleep playlists, we finally struck a balance that caters to both our audio preferences. While classic sounds like rain or gentle crackling may seem unremarkable, the advantage of an ad-free experience using our **Symfonisk lamp** speaker has significantly enhanced our nighttime ambiance. Utilizing the Sonos app, we can effortlessly control the audio settings from our smartphones.
This has become the simplest way for me to fall asleep in months, allowing me to wake up feeling more refreshed and rejuvenated. Though it’s only been a few days since I started my journey with **Sound Therapy**, my enthusiasm for this feature is palpable. For Apple Music subscribers looking for an effective way to improve relaxation and sleep quality, this offering is genuinely worth exploring.
To access the **Sound Therapy** collection, hit the Search icon within the app and click on the Sound Therapy box. You might just transform your auditory experience entirely.
