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In an effort to turn the tide against the increasingly popular practice of single song purchasing and back toward an interest in entire albums, label execs (from Sony, Warner, Universal and EMI) are talking about issuing a new package in CMX.

 CMX – the internal acronym for the new music distribution formula – will be an assortment of songs, liner notes, album art, music videos and whatever else the label happens to rustle up for a particular artist. If it reminds you of the “bonus disc” included with CDs a few years back, you’re not alone.

According to the Times, U2 might just serve as the package’s first moneymaker when the band releases its next album. Critics note that there may be some confusion for buyers, and that if DRM-free MP3s don’t come as a standalone part of the package, CMX may be completely doomed as a product.

CNET points out that a CMX download may be a nice free perk to someone who has just purchased an entire album’s worth of MP3s, but that charging extra for the package on top of the album may not be so appealing for potential customers.

Apple also plans on launching a similar package available from iTunes with a project that is reportedly codenamed Cocktail. According to the financial times, Apple will be collaborating with EMI, Sony Music, Warner Music and Universal Music Group to create digital packages much like those of CMX.