Apple Music is trading red for black and white, with visuals made by playing music through water. The rebrand lands with iOS 27.2 and macOS 27.2.
Apple Music is getting its biggest visual refresh in years. Earlier in October, Apple quietly introduced a new logo and app icon. On Oct. 21, it explained the full brand identity behind them.
“Made by sound”
According to MacRumors, Apple’s launch video says the new visuals were “made by sound.” Apple played sound through a container of water so the surface moved at the frequency of the notes. Apple Music brand elements were placed behind the vibrating water, producing a rippled, liquid look.
Apple worked on the project with British producer Fred Again and NEST Acoustics.
Red is out
The most visible change is color. Apple Music’s visuals now use black and white instead of the familiar red. MacRumors notes the liquid style fits the Liquid Glass design Apple introduced last year in iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe.
When you’ll see it
The rebrand rolls out fully with Apple’s next software releases, including iOS 27.2 and macOS 27.2, which MacRumors expected the following week. Once you update, look for the new icon and visuals across the app.
The reaction so far
Fans didn’t love the new logo at first. When it surfaced earlier in October, some reacted negatively on social media, Mashable reported. After Apple’s explanation video, some appeared to be warming to it. The new icon is black and white with a touch of Liquid Glass. The real test comes when the update reaches everyone and people see it on their home screens every day.
A nod to the iPod, too
The rebrand arrived alongside a bit of nostalgia. For the iPod’s 25th anniversary, Apple hid a fully interactive virtual iPod on the Apple Music website, Mashable reported. It shows up on the site’s 404 page, so any made-up address after music.apple.com/us/ will bring it up. It has the classic scroll-wheel interface, a long list of artists, and 90-second song previews from the iPod’s heyday.
It’s a small touch, but it shows how Apple ties a new look to its history: the brand looks forward with the new visuals while reminding people where Apple’s music business started.
Why brand teams should pay attention
Even if you never touch Apple Music, the refresh holds a few lessons:
- Tell the story of how it was made. The water-and-sound idea gives the press and fans something to talk about.
- Match the wider system. Aligning with Liquid Glass makes the app feel native rather than bolted on.
- Expect criticism of a recolor. Changing a known color will get pushback, and Apple’s explainer seems to have softened it.
- Mix in some play. A hidden iPod gives fans a reason to share the brand that doesn’t feel like an ad.
