In their latest track, “Now And Then,” The Beatles incorporated artificial intelligence (AI), prompting Damon Albarn to reflect on its potential impact on his future musical endeavors.
Recently, The Beatles unveiled their “final” musical composition, marking the ultimate collaboration of all original Fab Four members. This release, six years following their debut chart-topper, quickly ascended to the pinnacle of music charts.
The visual accompaniment for “Now And Then” was crafted by former bandmate John Lennon. Leveraging AI technology, the original vocalists were seamlessly integrated into the recording, enabling Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney to finalize the track.
In an interview with the European magazine Les Inrockuptibles, Damon Albarn, the frontman of Blur, shared his contemplations on this innovative process, envisioning a future where similar technology could be applied to his own musical creations.
According to the Damon Albarn Unofficial Archive, the genesis of “Now And Then” involved John Lennon performing the song solo in his apartment. Albarn expressed surprise at the widespread reception of the track, hinting at potential future releases and reissues. He mused about the possibility of posthumous releases, speculating on the extensive catalog that could be unveiled to the public.
Albarn emphasized the significance of preserving John Lennon’s distinctive voice, underscoring its enduring appeal. Prior to the song’s release, a behind-the-scenes look at the AI process garnered significant attention on social media platforms.
Before Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison undertook the task of refining the footage, Yoko Ono entrusted them with the materials in 1994, as depicted in a documentary snippet. Drawing on AI techniques akin to those employed in the creation of the Get Back docu-series, the team succeeded in salvaging Lennon’s vocals and piano melodies, despite the challenges encountered during the restoration process.
In a separate instance, Albarn expressed discontent with the Rolling Stones for their perceived neglect of Hackney, particularly in light of their album titled “Hackney Diamonds.” Furthermore, he criticized the portrayal of Sydney Sweeney in the music video for their lead single, “Angry.”
During the same discourse, the Gorillaz vocalist hinted at a potential conclusion to Blur, citing overwhelming commitments and signaling a need for closure within the band.
