AI bands are changing the soundtrack of tomorrow

A new rock band, The Velvet Sundown, started their journey two months ago. The band’s songs quickly rose to the top charts of multiple streaming platforms, including YouTube and Spotify. At first, listeners thought that this might be a new band. But doubts began to arise regarding their photos on social media. Later, it was learned that the entire band was made of artificial intelligence (AI).

The band consists of four members. Gabe Farrow, Lennie West, Milo Rains and Orion ‘Rio’ Del Mar. The debut album, Floating on Echoes, was released on June 5. The band has 435.8K monthly listeners and 69,539 followers on Spotify.

“Not quite human. Not quite a machine. The Velvet Sundown lives somewhere in between”, was posted by the band on their Spotify profile.

AI has started to get involved in various parts of music. Velvet Sundown is not the only one in this experiment. As we delve into this topic, we will explore how artificial intelligence is changing the art of songwriting and its significant influence on the music industry.

New turn in the music industry?

In recent years, the entertainment industry has undergone a significant transformation with the rise of AI in music composition.

This new technology is changing how music is created, produced, and experienced. Recording studios now use software to tune voices, correct timing, and add effects.

AI systems can examine thousands of songs quickly. They can suggest new rhythms, melodies, or lyrics. Velvet Sundown’s work shows a growing trend. More artists are using AI not as a replacement, but as a partner. For some musicians, this is a helpful tool. It can help them overcome creative blocks. “I use AI-generated music to avoid copyright issues on social media. The tool can make you arrange according to the mood and content you require, so it helps me a lot,” says Abir Imtiaz, who is a social-media-based writer who makes videos.

A songwriter can enter a few lines of lyrics into a program. The AI can then expand those lines into verses and choruses. A composer can input a melody, and the system will suggest harmonies or other versions. This speeds up the process of making music.

AI also helps with music distribution. Streaming platforms use algorithms to recommend songs to listeners. These systems look at user preferences, listening history, and even the time of day.

Deezer, the global music streaming platform, said in April 2025 that the platform was uploading 20,000 AI-generated songs per day, which is 18 per cent of the entire platform. In January, the rate was 10 per cent.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has expressed his hope that AI will help Spotify’s algorithm to better match listeners with what they’re looking for. “That magical thing that you didn’t even know that you liked, better than you can do yourself,” as he told The New York Post in May.

Musicians can use AI to test sounds from different cultures, mix styles, or simulate instruments they cannot access. This could make music more diverse and global.

For example, a songwriter in Dhaka can use AI to add the sound of African drums or Japanese flutes without needing the physical instruments. This opens up creative options for artists everywhere. Groovepad, Suno, Beatoven, and Soundraw are AI tools that can help create new music.

AI in music opens up new possibilities, but it also brings challenges. Striking a balance between human creativity and machine input will be key as this technology continues to grow and shape the industry.

How artists and listeners see it

In 2024, AI-generated artist IZAK released his debut album, Kritrim Jogot. This marked a historic moment in the Bangladeshi music industry. The project was led by Kazi Ahmed, a Bangladeshi AI enthusiast who lives in Canada.

Except for one surprise track, the entire album was created with the SUNO AI v3 model. All the vocals, melodies, and instruments were generated through AI.

Zerin Munir, a new composer in Dhaka, recently launched her song ‘Priyo’ on YouTube. Zerin shared that AI tools have made it easier for beginners to explore music. She has always loved creating new things.

For her, composing music feels like nurturing a child. She believes this sentiment applies to all forms of art. That’s why she was genuinely excited to create something personalised through her work.

In India, A R Rahman used AI to recreate the voices of two late singers, Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed, for a song titled Thimiri Yezhuda in Rajinikanth’s Lal Salaam.

He defended the use of AI in music. In an interview with India Today, he said, “I feel AI could also be used in uplifting. All the generational curses we have can be eradicated, and we can uplift the poor and educate and nurture leaders in the field of art and science.”

How AI-generated audiences receive music becomes the next question. Now, some Bangladeshi listeners stated that they don’t think AI can make better music than humans. Some also feel that it hampers the originality of art and takes away the humane touch. However, some listeners believe that the increasing trend of AI-generated songs may lead to emotional connections with people.

Creativity or replacement?

With the rise of artificial intelligence, a question has emerged that Will AI improve creativity or diminish it? Supporters argue that AI lowers barriers to entry in creative fields. It gives musicians tools to experiment. Beginners can create music without extensive and long years of training. Critics, however, warn that if machines can handle much of the work, the value of human effort might lessen. Questions of copyright, ownership, and the future role of human musicians remain unresolved. The debate has no clear answer yet.

In the current era of rapid technological change, ignoring AI is becoming less of an option for musicians. Many see its value as an assistant in the creative process.

At the same time, concerns remain about AI making full songs or copying voices. For new artists, AI offers a chance for exploration. For experienced musicians, it acts as a tool to broaden their creative output.

Music has continually evolved with technology. Instruments, recordings, and digital platforms have all shaped the industry over time.

AI is becoming the next tool in this ongoing change. At the same time, music remains centred on human connection. It is a way for people to share feelings, experiences, and stories. AI can support this process, but the human role continues to be essential.

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