Yesterday, April 5th, marked the 27th anniversary of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain's death - an especially eerie time as it now is we've lost him for as long as he was here.
Cobain is famously part of the 27 Club - a niche group of talented artists who all died at the young age of 27, most commonly from battling addiction or where mental health issues had an impact on their death (Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse for example).
Cobain's struggles with mental health which led to his death have long been documented, and thanks to the Lost Tapes of the 27 Club, a project founded by Over the Bridge that assists artists struggling with mental illness, there's a Nirvana-esque track titled "Drowned in the Sun" that's been released created by artificial intelligence.
Hold up - you're telling me artificial intelligence have made a new Nirvana track? Sort of.
Here's how it works - an AI algorithm listens to isolated hooks, rhythms, melodies, and lyrics of existing 27 Club artists. It learns from the music, then generates a string of new hooks, rhythms, melodies and lyrics. An audio engineer then takes these AI-generated elements and composes it into a song.
Pretty crazy stuff huh.
All of this resulted in "Drowned in the Sun", which does sound and feel like an actual Nirvana track you'd find on an old album. One thing that isn't AI is the vocals - Nirvana tribute band singer Eric Hogan was utilised to bring the lyrics to life - but everything else was provided and created by AI.
Here's the lyrics of Drowned in the Sun:
I've got my hands right now,
in every wound.
I’ve been here before,
but not with you.
I still got some pain
but it’s over now.
The sun shines on you but,
I don’t know how.
I don't care.
I feel as one.
Drowned in the sun now.
I feel as one.
Drowned in the sun.
I know I’m a weirdo.
And I like it.
So in love but yeah,
It’s a secret.
I know it’s wrong but,
I needed to.
To get my hands cleaned
of what feeds you.
I don't care.
I feel as one.
Drowned in the sun now.
I feel as one.
Drowned in the sun.
I don’t care.
I feel as one.
Drowned in the sun now.
Drowned in the sun.
Drowned in the sun.
Drowned in the sun.
Drowned in the sun.
I don’t care.
I feel as one.
Drowned in the sun now.
Drowned in the sun.
Drowned in the sun.
Drowned in the sun.
Drowned in the sun.
Drowned in the sun.
oooooh drowned in the sun.
oooooh drowned in the sun.
oooooh drowned in the sun.
Give it a listen above and let us know your thoughts.
Where to find help and support:
Shine (domestic violence) - 0508 744 633
Women's Refuge - 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE)
Need to Talk? - Call or text 1737
What's Up - 0800 WHATS UP (0800 942 8787)
Lifeline - 0800 543 354 or (09) 5222 999 within Auckland
Youthline - 0800 376 633, text 234, email talk@youthline.co.nz or online chat
Samaritans - 0800 726 666
Depression Helpline - 0800 111 757
Suicide Crisis Helpline - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Shakti Community Council - 0800 742 584
