Keith Urban premieres new album during Apple Music livestream

Keith Urban is dropping his album at an exclusive livestreamed listening party on Apple Music on Friday (September 18).

The Aussie country star will co-host the stream with Apple’s Zane Lowe, and they’ll be joined by 1,000 fans to hear The Speed Of Now, kicking off at 1pm AEST.

It’s one of several listening parties Apple Music has hosted recently, giving fans a chance to chat with their favourite artists and listen to previously unheard music.

Urban’s new album includes a new single featuring one of Australia’s favourite international stars P!NK, with the pair collaborating on single ‘One Too Many’.

Ahead of the listening party, Urban told Apple Music he’s “always loved P!nk’s voice”.

“She’s one of the greats and I don’t mean that just throwaway. I mean, literally, she’s a singer’s singer. I can’t imagine any singer disagreeing with that,” he said.

“She’s the real deal and she’s a great storyteller, and I think that’s what sets her apart from so many other people that have got good voices. She’s an incredible storyteller.

“You can feel all of her humanity when she sings, so she was just perfect for this. Everything that she does, she’s committed, she doesn’t half ass it. She’s all in. I love that about her.”

The latest Apple Music exclusive livestream coincides with the company’s announcement of its new Apple One service bundles.

Apple One will make available several types of plans bundling Apple TV Plus, Apple Music, Apple Arcade and iCloud its individual plan, and also including Apple News Plus and Apple Fitness in its Premier plan.

The basic package is US$14.95 a month, making it extremely competitive on a financial basis, with Apple well and truly throwing down the gauntlet to Spotify.

Apple Music customers can register to attend the New Music Daily presents Keith Urban listening party here.