Bronze metal: New format keeps music fresh

Along with producer Lexxx, Gold created the Bronze format based on an algorithm that changes the expression of individual elements of a song each time it is played, at times resulting in startlingly different compositions. The album and format are now packaged together as an app available for the iPhone and iPad.

To an extent, the result resembles live music in that a song can never be duplicated exactly from one version to the next. But since the music can only be heard through Bronze, no definitive version of the album exists.

Experiments with new formats have exploded in recent years as artists seek to achieve deeper engagement with digitally distracted fans. Read our Future of Music macrotrend for more.