No Tags 52: Will the AI slopwave ruin music for good?
Aug 28, 2025
Dive into the chaotic world of AI-generated music, where slopwave threatens to dilute authenticity. The hosts delve into its effects on genres like country and lo-fi, questioning whether AI can truly create meaningful art. They humorously reflect on the cultural implications of hyperpop and Will Smith’s career, while examining the struggles of artists amidst a landscape increasingly driven by technology. With a new AI-generated theme song, they explore opportunities and pitfalls in this evolving musical realm.
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The Velvet Sundown Playlisting Story
- Chal describes The Velvet Sundown, an AI-generated band that reached hundreds of thousands of monthly listeners on Spotify.
- That case highlights how convincingly fake acts can infiltrate playlists and gain attention.
Historic Erasure Via Era-Imitating AI
- AI music that mimics past eras (e.g., City Pop) is especially dangerous because it can outnumber genuine archives.
- When fake recordings overwhelm real ones, historical understanding and context erode.
Human-Made Art Could Become Premium
- AI may increase the market value of clearly human-made art by creating an artisan-like premium.
- Yet much AI development exists primarily to cut costs and maximize short-term profits.