<\/p>\n
We are going to follow up our last column on AI<\/span><\/a> with a question: \u201cHow can you tell if a song is AI-generated?\u201d \u2014 at least those that aren\u2019t labeled as such. For the answer we went directly to the source: AI.<\/p>\n Is there an online presence?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Is there social media activity?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Is there any concert footage?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Do the lyrics seem repetitive or clich\u00e9d?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Does the music have a fuzzy, tinny sound?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n So far, it has been relatively easy to spot AI-generated music<\/span><\/a>, but as the technology advances it may become harder to determine. And you need to remember that computer software is already widely used in music production today. My daughter Samantha is a one-woman band with the tools she has available.<\/p>\n The only streaming site that attempts to label AI-generated music is the French service Deezer<\/span><\/a>. Sites like Spotify, Apple, and YouTube have yet to provide that information to their subscribers. Perhaps in the future?<\/p>\n And now for some NMTDS.<\/p>\n Hermanos Gutierrez: \u201cElegantly Wasted featuring Leon Bridges\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n The Ecuadorian (by way of Zurich) brothers have released six albums; their 2024 album \u201cSonido Cosmico\u201d was one our 10 best of 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n Kokoroko: \u201cDa Du Dah\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n I am a big fan of the London-based jazz septet and their exploration of the music of West Africa. Their latest long-player is \u201cTuff Times Never Last\u201d and while it is more laid back than the band\u2019s 2022 debut, it is definitely worth a listen.<\/p>\n Hayden Pedigo: \u201cSmoked\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll Be Waiting as You Drive Away\u201d is Hayden\u2019s fifth or sixth studio album and already one my 10 best albums of 2025. He is described as an \u201cavant-garde musician, politician (he ran for the city council in Amarillo), performance artist and model.\u201d He is an acoustic guitarist but with influences ranging from John Fahey and Nick Drake to Miles Davis and King Crimson. If you have any questions about his musical approach, the album\u2019s title refers to an episode from \u201cLittle House On The Prairie.\u201d<\/p>\n Nine Inch Nails: \u201cAs Alive As You Need Me To Be\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s been a while (five years) since we had a proper NIN album. With all of their soundtrack work and winning two Oscars in the process, there just wasn\u2019t a project that fit NIN\u2019s industrial rock. The soundtrack to \u201cTRON:Ares\u201d provided the opportunity to incorporate the band\u2019s signature sound.<\/p>\n The Band Loula: \u201cSweet Southern Summer\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n This from the country duo\u2019s debut EP. Their unique mix of country, gospel and southern-fried rock has struck a chord so to speak as they are one of the most talked about new acts in Nashville.<\/p>\n Goose: \u201cAnimal\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n \u201cEverything Must Go\u201d is the band\u2019s fourth album and has solidified their standing as one of the best of the new generation of jam bands (along with bands like Tedeschi Trucks).\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0Joe Alterman and Mocean Worker: \u201cYay Yay Yay\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n Their album \u201cKeep The Line Open\u201d is a tribute to the late jazz\/soul legend Les McCann. The mix of sampling and live instrumentation gives the album an almost party-like feel and we can definitely use more of those.<\/p>\n Jon Batiste: \u201cBig Money\u201d<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n The Grammy and Oscar winner has released his ninth studio album of the same name. It has a little something for everyone with songs that incorporate blues, gospel, soul and jazz plus collaborations with artists like Randy Newman and Andra Day.<\/p>\n\n