A new song is more than just music—it’s a reflection of the human condition. Songs have the power to inspire and uplift us, or to cause us to examine our lives and our beliefs. The Psalmist wrote, “Sing unto the Lord a new song.” New song lyrics may not be entirely original—the words of old worship hymns have been sung for generations—but a new song arises from a fresh experience with God, giving the singers a renewed motivation to share their testimony.
The cards were stacked against a Normani debut album, especially after she was dragged into the spotlight by her hit single “Motivation.” Her latest project, Dopamine, is still an album of new song, but it’s funkier, sexier, and sleeker than anything we might have expected. The first track, “Stargazing,” features a quiet snare roll, a meandering saxophone, and bleep-bloop synth riffs, all of which combine to create a hypnotic groove. Then, on the chorus, Normani belts out a vocal that shifts from her lower and raspier register to her high notes—an ode to her ability to take on multiple voices and styles.
On a tropical island, with the sun shining down and a drink in hand, this is exactly the kind of merengue-pop song you want to hear. It’s a dreamy daydream with just enough pulsing beat and catchy synth riff to keep your feet moving. Then, when you think it can’t get any better, Karol G’s radiant voice appears and takes your thoughts on a different trajectory.
A new year is a good time to reflect on the past while looking forward to the future. And no better way to do that than by revisiting the songs we’ve loved throughout 2018.
This week, Vampire Weekend made a bold move by dropping a new song with a very different sound than their past records. A few seconds in, and you’ll hear a riff that sounds like a harpsichord, instantly transporting you back to quirky early cuts. Then the tempo speeds up, a little bit like the frantic energy on Modern Vampires of the City, and then the song fades into something free-jazzy and chaotic—something completely new for the band.
Advances in AI have gotten to the point where it can be used to create new music that sounds just like the work of real musicians. But how much does it alter our perception of a work’s authorship and legacy when an AI can produce music instantaneously? Recent examples, such as a fake Charlie Puth song produced with an AI, raise all sorts of questions about copyright laws and the future of creativity. This issue will likely play out in the next few years as AI companies continue to refine their large language models and hone their creative skills.