Photo credit: Endel
R&B singer 6LACK has teamed up with Endel for alternative wellness versions of his latest album Because I have a lover.
The alternative version of the album promotes restful calm and mental balance. The sleep version of the album will be released on July 8th, while a second version for Focus will be released on July 24th. “Check out the sleep-supporting version of.”Because I have a lover‘ with a real-time collective listening session,” says the Notice on twitter.
Endel creates ambient music for the wellness needs of its users, focusing on music for medication, sleep and concentration. 6LACK isn’t the first artist to work with the wellness company, either.
Both Grimes and James Blake have teamed up in the past to create unique soundscapes. Soundscape music has caused some controversy in the music world. Executives like Lucian Grainge said they don’t belong with DSP services alongside music like Drake or Billie Eilish. Grainge’s argument is that users turning to DSPs for functional music are wasting money from “legitimate artists”.
“Consumers are increasingly being guided by algorithms to low-quality functional content that, in some cases, can hardly pass as ‘music,'” the CEO told employees via a memo in January 2023. Thanks to a distribution agreement with Warner Music Group, Endel’s soundscapes are available on multiple DSPs.
“This is about letting people experience my music in a new way,” adds 6LACK of the partnership. “These sounds can be used to calm and relax, or to help you feel inspired and creative. It’s about finding a balance in life. Because I have a lover has a lot of magical tones and when combined with Endel’s AI and science it was easy to create something that felt healing.”
Will soundscape companies partnering with artists to create new album versions be the way to go here? The partnership will introduce 6LACK to new audiences, while functional music will be given a new function – artist discovery.