Apple Music rebrands with sound-generated logo, black-and-white icon
Apple officially unveiled a new Apple Music brand identity featuring a logo created via practical effects using sound waves in liquid. The service has transitioned from its long-standing red color scheme to a black-and-white design, aligning with the Liquid Glass interface. This rebrand, developed with Fred Again and NEST Acoustics, will roll out with iOS 27.2 and macOS 27.2 next week, marking a significant visual shift for the streaming platform.
Key points
- Apple, the developer of the Apple Music streaming service, officially launched a new brand identity on October 21, 2026, replacing its previous red logo with a black-and-white design.
- The new logo was created using practical effects where sound tones were played into a tank of mineral oil, causing ripples that were filmed to generate the visual identity.
- The rebrand was a collaboration between Apple, British music producer Fred Again, and acoustics company NEST Acoustics, emphasizing a concept of making music visually tangible.
- The updated visuals and app icon will be distributed alongside iOS 27.2 and macOS 27.2, which are expected to release next week, integrating with the Liquid Glass design language.
- While the app icon is now monochromatic, the new brand assets include colorful animations for video content, though it remains unclear if color will be added to the static icon.
- The rebrand coincides with broader ecosystem updates, including native Apple Music support for Bluesound and compatible BluOS hi-fi equipment, launched via a free software update on October 20.
Apple has officially introduced a new brand identity for its Apple Music streaming service, marking a significant departure from its long-standing red visual theme. The rebrand, announced on October 21, 2026, features a new logo and app icon that utilize a black-and-white color scheme. This shift aligns with the company's broader adoption of the Liquid Glass design language across its software ecosystem. The new identity will be fully integrated into upcoming software releases, including iOS 27.2 and macOS 27.2, which are expected to launch next week.
The creation of the new logo involved a unique practical effects process. Apple collaborated with British record producer Fred Again and the acoustics firm NEST Acoustics to generate the visual elements. The team etched the logo onto the glass floor of a small tank, filled it with mineral oil, and played a series of tones. The resulting ripples in the liquid were filmed to capture the movement, effectively "making the logo by sound." Apple described the project as a story of music and craft, aiming to distill the concept of music into a visually beautiful form.
While the static app icon is now monochromatic, the new brand assets include dynamic, colorful animations intended for use in video content such as concert footage. The rebrand has been spotted in beta versions of Apple's operating systems for weeks, with the new icon appearing in iOS 27.2 beta 3 and macOS 27.2 beta 3. Additionally, the update coincides with expanded hardware compatibility, as Bluesound and other BluOS-compatible hi-fi equipment now support native Apple Music streaming, allowing users to play music directly through their home audio systems without relying on AirPlay.
Sources
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