Apple Music book costs more than an iPad

Tuesday 12th November 2024 06:15 AM

Apple Music is partnering with premium book publisher Assouline to launch a collector’s book called 100 Best Albums, available in a limited edition for $450. With this work, Apple Music wishes to pay tribute to the albums that have marked the history of music, while of course targeting collectors and enthusiasts of musical culture. Printed in only 1,500 copies, the book presents a selection of the albums considered the most influential, all in an edition designed to be as careful as possible.

A high-end, limited edition book

The book, in untranslated English, which still weighs more than 3.6 kg, stands out for its luxurious presentation. In addition to a linen cover and a clear acrylic box embossed with the Apple Music logo, each copy is numbered and has gold borders. Assouline, a publisher recognized for its prestigious publications, adds a touch of exclusivity with a hand-numbered bookplate for each copy, reinforcing the rarity of this collector’s item.

A selection of albums with little onions

The album list, which spans from 1959 to 2022, is a collaboration between Apple Music publishers and artists including Pharrell Williams, Maren Morris and Charli XCX. Unlike commercial or streaming rankings, this choice is purely editorial and seeks to celebrate works that have marked musical culture. It features iconic albums from Bruce Springsteen, Daft Punk, Lauryn Hill and many others, covering a wide diversity of genres and eras.

The book does not just list albums: it also offers illustrations and photos in very high resolution, accompanied by analytical texts for each work. Zane Lowe, flagship host of Apple Music 1, signs a preface to introduce the reader into the universe of each album. The book aims to offer an overview of the cultural impact of these works, recounting their context of creation and explaining their influence on the public.

A mixed reception

If this work has something to appeal to collectors, its high price still divides music fans. Although some admire the aesthetic of this limited edition — and this is my case, being a lover of beautiful Books — others rightly criticize its elitist character. In any case, this book will inevitably become a prized object, like Designed by Apple in Californiaanother luxury publication from the brand, released in 2016. Apple Music: 100 Best Albums is available for pre-order, with the first deliveries scheduled for the end of November.

Books