Indie band Washed Out recently made waves with their music video for “The Hardest Part ,” which was entirely created using artificial intelligence (AI). The 4-minute video , made with OpenAI’s Sora text-to-video tool , has people talking. Some see it as a sneak peek into the future of music and art, while others think it’s just a gimmick that lacks real artistic value.
To really grasp what’s going on with AI-generated video, it helps to look at the early days of video games. Just like how the first video games pushed the limits of technology with blocky graphics and simple colors, AI music videos are still in an experimental stage
Everything you need to know: ✓ AI music videos, like early video games, are experimental, unconventional, and push creative boundaries despite limitations
✓ Washed Out’s AI video for “The Hardest Part” evokes nostalgia and lost love in a surreal, dreamlike style
✓ Music industry is divided on A I, with some excited by the potential and others concerned about its impact
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The best 4 AI music video generators in 2024
Here are 5 reasons why AI music videos remind me of early video games
Reason 1 – The experimental character:
grand theft auto 2 gta 2 video game screenshot AI music videos and early video games are both in an experimental phase. Artists are testing the limits of AI, just like early game developers did with new tech. Old-school games like GTA 1 and 2 had experimental, unconventional graphics.
GTA 1 (1997)
While the top-down 2D graphics were not revolutionary, GTA 1 stood out with its level of detail and use of colors compared to other games of that era. The cities felt alive with pedestrians, traffic, and small visual details.
GTA 2 (1999)
GTA 2 took a major visual departure from its predecessor with a unique “retro-futuristic” art style inspired by 1970s and 80s cult films.
Some key experimental graphics elements include:
→ One of the first games to use 3D rendered graphics with 2D sprite-based gameplay, giving it a distinct visual style.
→ Dynamic lighting effects like streetlights illuminating the city at night.
→ A gritty, dystopian atmosphere conveyed through the bleak color palette & industrial environments.
The developers intentionally moved away from photorealism towards a more stylized and offbeat aesthetic, making GTA 2’s visuals quite unconventional and experimental compared to other games at the time.
So while rough by today’s standards, the Grand Theft Auto games pioneered a novel visual direction that paved the way for the shift to 3D graphics and open-world gameplay in GTA III
Reason 2 – The unconventional look:
washed out the hardest part ai music video still scene 2 The AI visuals in Washed Out’s video have a dreamlike vibe, like expressionist art. Expressionist painters twisted reality to show emotions, similar to how AI scenes blend together. The Katamari Damacy games have surreal, expressionist-inspired visuals that warp reality.
Games like Lumines and Tetris Effect have abstract, minimalist art styles. They create a dreamlike, surreal atmosphere similar to AI-generated art and music videos. Their simple geometric shapes and patterns blend together in an ever-evolving kaleidoscope of colors and forms, twisting reality to evoke a sense of flow and synesthesia between the visuals and music.
This artistic style allows the gameplay to take center stage while the visuals provide an immersive, psychedelic backdrop that warps the player’s perception, much like expressionist art aimed to depict emotional experiences over realism.
Reason 3 – The imperfections and limitations:
open ai sora character inconsistencies ai music video washed out the hardest part The flaws and inconsistencies in AI-made visuals, like the music video for “The Hardest Part,” are similar to the technical limits of early video games that gave them their unique look. Just like how pixelated graphics and few colors defined the style of old-school games, the current limits of AI tech lead to chaotic, always-changing scenes and characters that don’t quite fit together.
However, these imperfections show what AI can do right now and hint at the possibility of more polished and lifelike visuals as the technology keeps getting better, much like how video games improved from their simple early days.
Reason 4 – AI music videos are pushing boundaries:
Screenshots of Games Rez Left Lumines right Just like how early video game creators tried new things by mixing music and gameplay (see Rez, Lumines, Crypt of the NecroDancer), AI music videos let artists imagine bigger and try new creative ideas.
The flaws and limits make artists think of clever ways to work with what they have and make one-of-a-kind experiences that mix sound and visuals.
This bold spirit helps the art form grow. It sets the stage for smoother blending of music, visuals, and interaction that could change how we experience and connect with music videos in the future.
Reason 5 – The emotional impact:
sora the hardest part washed out ai music video Even though AI visuals have some flaws, they can still stir up strong emotions in their own unique way. This is similar to how certain story-based video games use music to create meaningful experiences.
Games like Journey, What Remains of Edith Finch, and This War of Mine use sound and visuals to make players feel deeply. Similarly, the dreamlike AI scenes in Washed Out’s “The Hardest Part” video try to get viewers emotionally involved in the story of nostalgia and lost love.
The surreal, constantly changing visuals flow perfectly with the music, taking viewers on an emotional ride that goes beyond what’s possible with regular animation or movie-making methods.
Creating an AI music video reminds me of playing these video games
Game 1 – Rez
One video game that has a lot in common with AI-generated music videos is Rez, which came out in 2001 for the Dreamcast and PlayStation. Rez is famous for its one-of-a-kind experience that mixes rail shooter gameplay with techno music and simple, abstract visuals.
In Rez, the music and visuals are closely tied together, and what the player does directly affects the soundtrack. As the player gets further in the game, the music gets more intricate and layered, making the player feel more immersed and emotionally connected.
This dynamic link between gameplay, music, and visuals is similar to how AI-generated music videos try to create a distinct, multi-sensory experience that brings out emotions and memories.
Both Rez and AI-generated music videos push the limits of their respective art forms, experimenting with unconventional styles and techniques to make something fresh and captivating.
While Rez uses its gameplay mechanics to shape the music, AI-generated videos use algorithms to create visuals that react to and interpret the music in unique ways.
In the end, both Rez and AI-generated music videos show how blending different art forms and using new technology can lead to powerful, emotional experiences that stick with the audience .
Game 2 – Lumines
Another game that shares similarities with AI music videos is Tetsuya Mizuguchi’s Lumines , released in 2004 for the PlayStation Portable.
Lumines has a simple, abstract visual style that’s heavily influenced by the game’s soundtrack.
As the player clears blocks, the visuals and music change, creating a hypnotic, multi-sensory experience.
Like Rez, Lumines shows how video games can be used as a form of artistic expression, combining gameplay, music, and visuals to create something that’s more than just the individual parts .
This approach is similar to how AI-generated music videos aim to create a unique, emotional experience by combining the power of music with the creative potential of artificial intelligence.
By comparing AI music videos to games like Rez and Lumines, we can see how both are pushing the limits of what’s possible, experimenting with unconventional styles and techniques to create engaging, multi-sensory experiences that bring out emotions and memories.
While the technology may be different, the basic goal of creating something new and meaningful is the same.
In the end, both AI music videos and games like Rez and Lumines demonstrate how blending different art forms and using new technology can lead to powerful, emotional experiences that leave a lasting impact on the audience .
AI music videos are PR gold
washed out the hardest part ai music video still scene 1 The amount of publicity that Washed Out’s “The Hardest Part” AI music video received is mindblowing. Everyone was talking about it. From Rolling Stones to NBC News.
As AI keeps getting better, it will be interesting to see how artists use and push the boundaries of this new art form, just like how video games have evolved as a way to express creativity. The similarities between AI music videos and early video games show how important it is to experiment, have an unconventional style, and be willing to work with limitations to create unique and emotionally powerful experiences.
Washed Out’s video director, Paul Trillo, purposely leaned into the “surreal and trippy aspects” of AI to create something that feels hyperreal rather than completely realistic . The dreamlike visuals, with scenes blending together in unexpected ways, are similar to the warped reality often seen in expressionist art. While the technical imperfections are obvious, Trillo argues that AI allows for the creation of ideas that could never have been made otherwise .
The internet is hating AI music
However, not everyone is convinced. Many artists and people in the music industry have concerns about using AI in music, saying it lacks real creativity and emotional impact . Over 200 musicians, including big names like Billie Eilish and the estates of Bob Marley and Frank Sinatra, recently signed a letter asking for stricter rules around AI tools in music .
Despite the doubts, some believe AI could make the creative process more accessible and allow indie artists to dream bigger on smaller budgets . Trillo suggests that AI is just another tool for artists to use, offering new possibilities rather than completely replacing human creativity . He’s optimistic about how artists will adapt and include AI in their work moving forward.
Will AI music videos fail?
Screenshot The story at the heart of “The Hardest Part” video, which focuses on the nostalgia and lost love of a couple over the years, aims to connect emotionally with viewers . While it may not be perfect, it’s an interesting experiment in using AI to express complex human experiences and memories.
Read more: The best 4 AI music video generators in 2024
As with any new technology, the rise of AI in music and art is bound to be met with a mix of excitement, concern, and outright rejection . However, the history of video games and various art movements shows us that initial limitations and skepticism can eventually lead to innovation and acceptance .
Will AI-generated music videos become the norm, or will they remain a niche experiment? Only time will tell. For now, projects like Washed Out’s “The Hardest Part” offer a thought-provoking glimpse into the potential future of music and art. As the technology continues to advance and artists explore its possibilities, we may be witnessing the birth of an entirely new creative genre – one that is sure to spark both inspiration and controversy along the way.
