Apple Music is receiving a handful of refinements in iOS 27, chief among them redesigns of two pivotal screens: artist pages and album pages. The update, currently in beta, introduces a visual overhaul that builds on the Liquid Glass aesthetic introduced in iOS 26. Artist pages now feature a seamless blend of the artist’s image into the background, with the color scheme dynamically shaping the entire page. Key actions such as viewing artist info, playing music, and starring tracks are placed front and center beneath the artist name. Featured music—whether a recent release or upcoming work—is housed in a distinct box, making navigation more intuitive while retaining the structural familiarity of iOS 26.
Album pages are also slated for a refresh, though the changes are not yet visible in the beta. Apple has confirmed on its massive word cloud slide for iOS 27 that both “Refreshed artist pages in Apple Music” and “Refreshed album pages in Apple Music” are included. The first signs of the redesigned album pages are expected in subsequent beta releases. This dual update underscores Apple’s commitment to improving the visual and functional experience of its music streaming service, which competes with Spotify, YouTube Music, and others.
The redesign of artist pages is particularly noteworthy because it leverages the Liquid Glass system theme, which iOS 27 refines with a new slider to adjust the tint and depth of translucency. This approach gives Apple Music a more immersive, app-like feel rather than a utilitarian list. The artist image no longer sits as a static header; instead, it bleeds into the content area, creating a cohesive visual narrative that can change with each artist’s branding. This is a subtle but powerful way to differentiate the Apple Music experience from competitors, where artist pages often remain generic.
Historically, Apple Music’s interface has evolved from the initial iOS 8.4 design through iOS 9’s cleaner aesthetic, iOS 10’s larger touch targets, and iOS 14’s Listen Now tab. Each major update brought refinements, but the artist page remained relatively static until iOS 26 introduced the Liquid Glass foundation. iOS 27’s changes are therefore a logical progression: they apply the system-wide design language to core Music app views, ensuring consistency across the OS.
From a user experience perspective, the new artist page reduces cognitive load. Previously, users had to scroll to find the artist biography, play buttons, and featured tracks. Now, all critical information is consolidated at the top. The color matching also helps with emotional resonance—a warm palette for a soulful artist versus a cool one for a electronic producer. For artists, this means their visual identity can shine through more effectively, potentially increasing engagement and discovery.
The album page redesign, while yet unseen, is expected to follow similar principles. Likely changes include a larger album artwork display with color extraction for the background, improved track list formatting, and easier access to album credits, lyrics, and related recommendations. Given Apple’s focus on spatial audio and lossless, the album page might also highlight audio quality badges more prominently.
Beyond the visual changes, the update hints at broader ambitions for Apple Music in iOS 27. The operating system itself is expected to introduce new widgets, a redesigned Control Center, and improved multitasking on iPad. Apple Music will benefit from these underlying improvements, such as deeper integration with the new Slider control for system-wide appearance. The music service already offers curated playlists, radio shows, and exclusive content; the design refresh positions it to better serve power users while attracting new ones.
However, some users may resist the change. The new artist page could obscure information that was previously one tap away, such as full discography or play counts. Apple has a history of simplifying interfaces, sometimes at the cost of advanced features. During the beta phase, feedback from testers may prompt tweaks. For example, the initial iOS 26 Liquid Glass implementation had performance issues on older devices, leading Apple to optimize in subsequent patches. The same diligence will be needed for the Music app’s new pages.
The timeline for the public release remains tied to iOS 27’s final launch, expected in September 2026 alongside new iPhone models. Developer and public betas will iterate through the summer, with the album page redesign likely introduced in the second or third beta. Apple has also hinted at other Music features in iOS 27, such as improved collaborative playlists and dynamic artwork for festivals, but these are unconfirmed.
For now, the redesign represents a meaningful step in Apple Music’s maturation. The service, launched in 2015, has grown from a streaming newcomer to a major player, boasting over 100 million subscribers. Its design philosophy has shifted from mimicry of iTunes to a distinct, fluid aesthetic. The new artist and album pages are not revolutionary, but they are evolutionary improvements that keep the app fresh while respecting user habits.
In summary, the changes to Apple Music in iOS 27 focus on aesthetic cohesion and usability. The artist page leads with a dynamic background and streamlined buttons, while the album page promises a similar refresh. These updates align with the broader iOS 27 theme of polishing Liquid Glass, offering a more personalized and immersive music experience. As betas progress, more details will emerge, but the foundation laid in this initial release is strong. The ultimate success will depend on how well these designs accommodate the diverse ways users browse, discover, and listen to music.
Source: 9to5Mac News