Italian darkwave outfit Sonic Jesus has unveiled their new single, “Annoying Foal,” ahead of the release of their forthcoming album “Badway,” due out this October.
“Annoying Foal” lures listeners into its moody and contemplative realm, a space drenched in shadow and introspection. Penned by Marco Baldassari, the lyrics navigate the maze of ambiguity, anchored by the recurring plea, “Did you heal me, Lord?” — a poignant search for clarity or redemption amidst inner chaos. This chorus acts like an insistent chant in the quest for inner solace and purpose.
The song’s raw electronic beats and compelling rhythms heighten the prevailing unease and momentum, with a sound heavily influenced by later Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails, and Trentemoller. Hushed, ominous whispers surrounded by buzzing industrial-tinged synths and insistent, plodding percussion, form a befitting canvas for the words.
Annoying Foal – both the music and the accompanying visuals – also emerge from a profound well the band’s unwavering artistic curiosity with evolving technology. Guided by the desire to tread uncharted artistic paths, Sonic Jesus dove deep into the intriguing world of artificial intelligence. This dalliance with AI wasn’t just a whim; it was an earnest bid to paint with bolder strokes and try something innovative.
They believe AI, rather than overshadowing human creativity, aids it — opening doors to fresh inspirations, diverse styles, and swift solutions to practical challenges. For Sonic Jesus, AI stands as an ally in the artistic cosmos, not an adversary. The band found themselves intrigued by AI’s knack for conjuring visuals — both static and moving — in a manner both whimsical and unexpected. Sonic Jesus senses a genuine synergy between AI’s visuals and their music, enhancing the overall artistic sensation for their audience.
The video was entirely filmed, edited, and then processed in AI by a Moroccan artist named Yousra. Little else is known about the artist, unfortunately, but the universe they co-created with the machine is dreamlike, strange, and intriguing – where artists are still navigating the waters of the vast ocean churning before us, Yousra seems to have a very specific, cinematic vision drawing from dystopian sci-fi.
“We wanted to harness this technology to express our artistic message in an entirely new and engaging way, says the band. “The use of AI allowed us to create a synergy between our psychedelic sound and a stunning and unprecedented visual universe.”
Watch the video for “Annoying Foal” below:
Under the auspices of Tiziano Veronese’s fresh record imprint, Don Rhajin, the track “Annoying Foal” marks a pivotal moment in Sonic Jesus’ trajectory. It melds entrancing tones with an interesting use of AI’s forward-thinking visuals.
Pre-order the album Badway here.
Sonic Jesus will be making appearances in the UK this autumn:
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