AI popular music genre switches are nailing it

[Chew Toy McCoy]

Even though this is my personal creative interest most under threat by AI I have to say I'm really impressed.



If you listen to nothing else go to 4:09 for Sad But True. That's just undeniably great.

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

 

[Edd]

Even though this is my personal creative interest most under threat by AI I have to say I'm really impressed.



If you listen to nothing else go to 4:09 for Sad But True. That's just undeniably great.

Fuck yeah Sad But True is awesome, kind of an improvement.

 

[Eric]

You have to wonder who this will cater to. As human beings we sure seem to hate what human beings actually create, why spend years learning an instrument when you can just type in a sentence to get what you want, perfectly quantized with zero human feel.

I know I'm old but at least part of my life was filled with listening to and being a part of groups of people with natural talent.

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

You have to wonder who this will cater to. As human beings we sure seem to hate what human beings actually create, why spend years learning an instrument when you can just type in a sentence to get what you want, perfectly quantized with zero human feel.

I know I'm old but at least part of my life was filled with listening to and being a part of groups of people with natural talent.

It caters to me wanting to hear quality funk versions of Metallica songs I didn't even know I wanted.

While there are reasons to be concerned or angered by the extremes that AI has taken things, I also think it's useful to think about how much we've used technology to enhance our own creativity without too much concern before it got to this point and some great artists would probably have never gotten started without it, from accessibility to affordability. It also depends on what aspect of the art you feel should be focused on.

Again, AI doing everything is an extreme that should be discouraged, but how much AI is acceptable? On photography I'm thinking being limited by an analog film camera and darkroom. Most photographers use well beyond that at this point.

 

[Eric]

It caters to me wanting to hear quality funk versions of Metallica songs I didn't even know I wanted.

If that’s what suits you then I’m glad you dig it.

Again, AI doing everything is an extreme that should be discouraged, but how much AI is acceptable? On photography I'm thinking being limited by an analog film camera and darkroom. Most photographers use well beyond that at this point.

Sorry but this is a ridiculously unfair comparison. Having an updated medium that handles all of your color correction in-camera is very different than actually taking the photo, composing your own scene and doing your own editing, something all accomplished photographers do as part of their art.

At the same time this makes a larger point that so many don’t care how art is created, so long as they’re happy with the end result.

I remain hopeful that those with interests in music or photography continue to pursue it, and that schools and institutions continue to foster it.

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

I think part of the reason I'm not particularly offended by this use of AI is there aren't a ton of genre switch cover bands out there that are now going to be out of a job. I actually think it might be the opposite. Due to copyright issues they probably can't make money off the recordings but more exposure to this type of music could get people to their shows. I would never think there was a funk Metallica cover band out there but now I would probably look into it or musicians might consider starting one after hearing the possibilities.

If that’s what suits you then I’m glad you dig it.

Sorry but this is a ridiculously unfair comparison. Having an updated medium that handles all of your color correction in-camera is very different than actually taking the photo, composing your own scene and doing your own editing, something all accomplished photographers do as part of their art.

At the same time this makes a larger point that so many don’t care how art is created, so long as they’re happy with the end result.

I remain hopeful that those with interests in music or photography continue to pursue it, and that schools and institutions continue to foster it.

I'm not meaning to downplay actual skills in the creative process that in some ways can now be replaced by AI, but with advancements you sometimes have to rethink what you believe is important or possible, especially to the end consumer.

I really have no business talking photography so I'll try to keep it to music. As another example, there was this huge uproar when DJs started using CDs over vinyl, especially as the technology for CDs started replacing the need to learn the skill of beat matching. Then DJing switched to completely in computer digital which caused similar outrage. Now nobody gives shit.

But these advancements opened the door for even more creative possibilities like playing 3 or 4 tracks at a time, instantly jumping to specific parts of a track, looping sections and adjusting loop lengths on the fly, sampling and looping on the fly, and adding different effects to the total mix or individual tracks. This largely wasn't possible previously because the DJ was almost entirely focused on beat matching and blending between 2 tracks.

I think what infuriates old school DJs is DJs now not exploring those creative performance ideas and instead only using the technology that replaces what used to be hard earned learned skill.

But this then circles back to does the listener (consumer) even care?

 

[Eric]

I think part of the reason I'm not particularly offended by this use of AI is there aren't a ton of genre switch cover bands out there that are now going to be out of a job. I actually think it might be the opposite. Due to copyright issues they probably can't make money off the recordings but more exposure to this type of music could get people to their shows. I would never think there was a funk Metallica cover band out there but now I would probably look into it or musicians might consider starting one after hearing the possibilities.



I'm not meaning to downplay actual skills in the creative process that in some ways can now be replaced by AI, but with advancements you sometimes have to rethink what you believe is important or possible, especially to the end consumer.

I really have no business talking photography so I'll try to keep it to music. As another example, there was this huge uproar when DJs started using CDs over vinyl, especially as the technology for CDs started replacing the need to learn the skill of beat matching. Then DJing switched to completely in computer digital which caused similar outrage. Now nobody gives shit.

But these advancements opened the door for even more creative possibilities like playing 3 or 4 tracks at a time, instantly jumping to specific parts of a track, looping sections and adjusting loop lengths on the fly, sampling and looping on the fly, and adding different effects to the total mix or individual tracks. This largely wasn't possible previously because the DJ was almost entirely focused on beat matching and blending between 2 tracks.

I think what infuriates old school DJs is DJs now not exploring those creative performance ideas and instead only using the technology that replaces what used to be hard earned learned skill.

But this then circles back to does the listener (consumer) even care?

But you still have DJ standing up there spinning the records and playing the beats that he himself put together, even with automation it's a human being doing a human thing. Plus, all of these major DJs have made a name for themselves,

I see it as a solo artist whether singing or whatever. People do give a shit, while you may enjoy AI generated Metallica spinoffs created by nothing more than text prompts you'll never see robots playing it in a stadium.

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

I see it as a solo artist whether singing or whatever. People do give a shit, while you may enjoy AI generated Metallica spinoffs created by nothing more than text prompts you'll never see robots playing it in a stadium.

I wouldn't be so certain about that. These big name solo artist DJs are so laughably dwarfed by the spectacle of the visual show that it probably wouldn't even matter if they weren't even there as far as the show experience. When Dedmau5 was reaching his peak he famously said they are just up there hitting the space bar, including himself, and should stop trying to come off like they are some proficient musician or performer.
I'm sure we will get to the point where in some cases the music event is more about the visual artists heavily relying on technology than any famous music producers or performers. I imagine there is a lot of that type thing happening at events like Burning Man. People just gravitating to the visual spectacle with nobody of fame involved.

Honest question, has there been any advancements in photo or video technology that has inspired you to think about creative possibilities differently and maybe freed you up from focusing entirely on conventional skills? Not saying you aren't incorporating those at the same time.

 

[Eric]

I wouldn't be so certain about that. These big name solo artist DJs are so laughably dwarfed by the spectacle of the visual show that it probably wouldn't even matter if they weren't even there as far as the show experience. When Dedmau5 was reaching his peak he famously said they are just up there hitting the space bar, including himself, and should stop trying to come off like they are some proficient musician or performer.
I'm sure we will get to the point where in some cases the music event is more about the visual artists heavily relying on technology than any famous music producers or performers. I imagine there is a lot of that type thing happening at events like Burning Man. People just gravitating to the visual spectacle with nobody of fame involved.

Honest question, has there been any advancements in photo or video technology that has inspired you to think about creative possibilities differently and maybe freed you up from focusing entirely on conventional skills? Not saying you aren't incorporating those at the same time.

If you want to see me as closed minded because I won't accept a machine replacing what takes a human being years to learn and refine that's up to you.

In the end you hear it, whether or not you claim to (or even know it), the one thing AI has yet to perfect is human imperfection and that's what separates the two.

Still, happy that you're enjoying your world of AI FWIW. Just not for me.

 

[Yoused]

I'm not meaning to downplay actual skills in the creative process that in some ways can now be replaced by AI, but with advancements you sometimes have to rethink what you believe is important or possible, especially to the end consumer.

This reminds me of the time we went to a theater a few decades ago to see the movie Pink Floyd, which includes several segments of the band members talking. In one of them, Waters discusses the equipment that he uses, which included a lot of Moog-like machinery, and how it relates to the human creative process. There seems to be a vague parallel here, though it was still a human creative process. No LLM would ever come up with anything similar to Several Species of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together in a Cave and Grooving on a Pict, even though the entire track is synths.

the one thing AI has yet to perfect is human imperfection and that's what separates the two

There is one more thing: creation. LLMs are almost entirely responsive, not generative. Why did van Gogh paint Sunflowers? Why did Dylan write Blowin' in the Wind? Why did Lucas create Star Wars? These things come from a place that "AI" cannot reach. It does not have the biochemical component that drives creativity. Genuine art evokes feelings because that is where it originates, and "AI" simply cannot start from there.

 

[DT]

Even though this is my personal creative interest most under threat by AI I have to say I'm really impressed.



If you listen to nothing else go to 4:09 for Sad But True. That's just undeniably great.

Holy hell, hahahaha, that's great, can't wait to play this for the wife (we're both big Metallica fans).

Side note: they come to The Sphere(in LV)? We are there.

Metallica is reportedly considering a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere in the fall of 2026, though this is not officially confirmed. The band is exploring the possibility of a future show at the venue after their current M72 World Tour concludes in mid-2026. Band members, including Kirk Hammett and Lars Ulrich, have expressed enthusiasm about the venue's technological capabilities and the unique concert experience it could offer.

 

[DT]

This reminds me of the time we went to a theater a few decades ago to see the movie Pink Floyd, which includes several segments of the band members talking.

Decades ago I was at a Floyd show with friends, yes, lots of consumption was involved The single fellow on the end seat next to us was consuming a LOT more. It was amazing, light rain, we were all done up with duct tape and garbage bags, the way the lighting played off the rain was amazing.

Anyway, the lights go down, they start Pigs on the Wing and release this huge inflatable pig with a massive spotlight. The guy at the end screams, runs out ... never to be seen again

 

[Yoused]

Anyway, the lights go down, they start Pigs on the Wing and release this huge inflatable pig with a massive spotlight. The guy at the end screams, runs out ... never to be seen again

It's too late to lose the weight you used to need to throw around

Roger Waters used to be a brilliant poet. We must not speak of what he has become. Dragged down by the stone, it seems.

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

Holy hell, hahahaha, that's great, can't wait to play this for the wife (we're both big Metallica fans).

Side note: they come to The Sphere(in LV)? We are there.

Metallica is reportedly considering a residency at the Las Vegas Sphere in the fall of 2026, though this is not officially confirmed. The band is exploring the possibility of a future show at the venue after their current M72 World Tour concludes in mid-2026. Band members, including Kirk Hammett and Lars Ulrich, have expressed enthusiasm about the venue's technological capabilities and the unique concert experience it could offer.

I can understand the reason for some of the outrage over this, but I actually find it inspiring. Not in a "what can I do with a text prompt?" way, but in the end result that could also be done by humans. Honestly if you didn't tell people it was done with AI (Don't know to what degree but I doubt it's not just a simple text prompt...but it may get there) they probably wouldn't know and it could inspire other musicians. I see little difference between musicians who hear Tool and then want to start a band that is inspired by tool or hear AI generated music and want to start a band inspired by that.

And I think it's been proven in this thread, given the extremism of these examples it's not really a good place for a nuanced discussion on what AI-esque tools we've long used in creativity that's become acceptable now. Music might even have the longest history and evolution of this. MIDI long predates Photoshop, as a comparison.

Anyhow, more examples to come. Feel free to post your own that you come across. It's a growing rabbit hole once you start.

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]

 

[Chew Toy McCoy]