We’ve talked before about how you might use mobile apps to promote your music, and now digital pioneers Radiohead have taken their stab at it. PolyFauna is a free app for iOS and Android Android that takes users on a journey, where the only purpose is to explore and enjoy.

PolyFauna – The Radiohead Artscape Generator

PolyFauna uses mutated samples from the song Bloom, and pairs them with abstract landscapes inspired by Radiohead’s longtime artistic collaborator, Stanley Donwood. It uses generative processes so that the landscape, creatures, and music tracks are randomized, creating a vibe somewhat like an infinite walkaround Roger Dean album cover.

Players use their device’s gyroscope to explore the landscapes in a full sphere, following a glowing red dot that transitions them from one landscape to the next. They can also draw on the screen, creating their own creatures or bizarre plants.

As an interactive experience, PolyFauna creates unique moods.

Can Abstract Apps Promote Your Music?

The bigger question is how effective an app like this is, in terms of generating publicity or sales? The app makes very little effort to sell Radiohead’s music, despite being free. Mostly, users are simply encouraged to explore their worlds and upload pictures of what they find.

This suggests, like Gaga’s app a couple months ago, it’s aimed at community-building.

The problem, if you want to promote your music, is that Radiohead is probably a lot more famous than you. (Sorry.) They have a huge existing fanbase, and many more people who are aware of their existence. So, an app like this can be seen as an investment in PR, as much as anything.

However, if you’re looking to sell music, we suggest having an app that pushes the sale angle a little more. It’s a nice gesture on Radiohead’s part, but most bands need to make money on your merchandising ventures.