Apple has unveiled a collectible book, Apple Music: 100 Best Albums, that pays tribute to some of the most impactful albums in music history—but it comes with a premium price tag of $450. This high-end coffee table book, crafted in partnership with luxury publisher Assouline, is strictly limited to 1,500 copies, each individually numbered to underscore its exclusivity. As a beautifully crafted keepsake, this book gives music fans a chance to hold a piece of Apple Music’s cultural footprint in their hands, providing a tangible tribute to a digital legacy.
Earlier this year, Apple Music debuted its “100 Best Albums” list within the app, sparking conversations and debates about the choice of records and Apple’s approach to curation. Now, Apple brings this list into the physical realm with a unique collector’s piece that celebrates these albums beyond the digital world.
Each of the 1,500 copies is encased in a sleek, custom-designed translucent acrylic slipcase, etched with the Apple Music logo and engraved with a unique edition number on the back. The design captures Apple’s hallmark commitment to quality and tactile appeal. Beneath the slipcase, the linen hardcover is embossed with the Apple Music logo, aligning seamlessly with the etched design. Inside, 208 pages of high-resolution album art, music history, and personalized commentary await, with gilded gold page edges that mirror the luxurious title on the spine, adding a layer of sophistication to this collector’s piece.
The book includes a foreword by Apple Music 1’s Zane Lowe, who reflects on the enduring significance of albums, writing, “Truly great albums are more than just a collection of songs—they become a part of you, a part of your life story.” Lowe’s insight sets the tone for the entire curation, treating each album as a cultural milestone that resonates deeply beyond the music itself.
Apple enlisted a panel of music experts, artists, and cultural icons like Pharrell Williams, Maren Morris, and Charli XCX to handpick the albums featured, focusing on records that have left a profound mark on music history, culture, and personal lives. The selection spans various genres, from rock and hip-hop to jazz and electronic, and celebrates both globally acclaimed records and hidden gems that might surprise even dedicated fans.
Weighing in at eight pounds, the book is designed as a heavy-duty piece of art meant to captivate collectors and music lovers. Each album receives a two-page spread, with one page showcasing its iconic cover art and the other offering a reflective dive into the album’s cultural impact, artist background, and defining tracks. While 97 of the 100 albums come with visuals, a select few are presented without artwork, inviting readers to connect more intimately with the narrative and story behind each album. To emphasize the limited-edition nature, Apple includes a hand-numbered ex libris inside each copy, a nod to the legacy of book craftsmanship.
This luxury volume is not Apple’s first foray into collectible print. In 2016, Apple released Designed by Apple in California, a visually stunning book that chronicled the company’s design evolution. That title, which began at $199, quickly became a sought-after item. Now, Apple Music: 100 Best Albums appears poised to join that legacy, appealing to fans who view music as more than just entertainment, but as a significant part of their lives.
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