Apple Music has embarked on a unique journey to celebrate the power of music with the launch of its "100 Best Albums" list. This curated selection, compiled by a team of Apple Music experts alongside renowned artists and industry professionals, aims to recognize the most impactful and enduring albums across various genres and eras.
Apple Music emphasizes the human touch behind the "100 Best Albums" project. Rachel Newman, Apple Music's senior director of content and editorial, highlights the significance of this initiative:
“100 Best brings together all the things that make Apple Music the ultimate service for music lovers — human curation at its peak, an appreciation for the art of storytelling, and unparalleled knowledge of music and an even deeper love for it,”
This collaborative approach, involving artists like Maren Morris, Pharrell Williams, and J Balvin, alongside industry veterans, promises a diverse and well-rounded perspective on musical excellence.
The excitement doesn't stop with the announcement. Apple Music is transforming the "100 Best Albums" reveal into a 10-day celebration. Here's what you can expect:
Daily Album Reveals: Over the next ten days, Apple Music will unveil 10 albums each day, building anticipation and keeping music fans engaged.
Dedicated Microsite: A brand-new "100 Best" microsite will be launched, providing fans with a central hub to explore the revealed albums and potentially additional content.
Exclusive Content and Radio Shows: Apple Music plans to release exclusive content alongside the album reveals, further enriching the experience for listeners. Dedicated Apple Music Radio episodes will likely delve deeper into the significance of the chosen albums.
Grand Finale: Top 10 Revealed: The 10-day countdown culminates in a grand finale, where Apple Music unveils its top 10 albums of all time during a broadcast radio special. This promises to be a momentous occasion for music enthusiasts.
While the full list remains under wraps, the first 10 albums offer a taste of what's to come. This initial selection showcases a blend of genres and eras:
Modern Masters: Seven albums from the 21st century are included in the first reveal, highlighting the impact of contemporary artists like Tyler, The Creator, Robyn, Lorde, and Travis Scott.
Timeless Classics: The list also acknowledges musical giants from previous decades, with two albums from the 90s and one from the 70s represented.
Genre-Bending Selections: The first 10 albums demonstrate the broad scope of the "100 Best Albums" list, with selections spanning various genres.
Zane Lowe, Apple Music's global creative director, acknowledges the subjective nature of such a list:
“We were tasked with selecting the 100 best — that’s practically mission impossible. But as music fans, it was also amazing to really take a minute and sit and think about the music and albums and artists that we love so much in this context. If this list sparks more debate among fans outside of Apple Music and gets people talking passionately about the music they love, then we’ve done what we set out to do,”
The "100 Best Albums" list is more than just a ranking; it's an invitation to engage with music, share favorites, and celebrate the enduring power of great albums.