AI Technology Turns Kurt Cobain On And Revives Nirvana, 'New' Song Drowned In The Sun Released

Nirvana (Twitter @nirvana)

JAKARTA - If you heard Drowned in the Sun being introduced on the radio as an unreleased Nirvana song, you will likely believe the broadcaster's words.

In fact, the song is an AI (Artificial Intelligence) composition, created as part of an initiative to raise awareness of mental health issues in the music business.

Drowned in the Sun was created as part of a project called Lost Tapes of the 27 Club, created by the Toronto-based non-profit Over The Bridge, with the aim of drawing attention to the tragedy of Kurt Cobain's suicide 27 years ago.

Apart from that, it is also to raise awareness about how mental health issues continue to affect musicians and creatives in the music industry. This project has previously spawned 'new' (i.e., AI-produced) songs by Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse, and The Doors.

"What if all these musicians we love have mental health support?" Sean O'Connor, co-director of Over the Bridge asked Rolling Stone, "Somehow in the music industry, (depression) is normalized and romanticized ... Their music is seen as true suffering."

Nirvana's 'new' song was created by inserting MIDI files into Google Magenta's AI program, which learns how to compose in a specific artist's style by analyzing their previous work.

The vocals for this song were provided by musician from Atlanta, Eric Hogan, frontman of the Nirvana tribute band, Nevermind: The Ultimate Tribute To Nirvana.

At first glance, the Nirvana vibe in Drowned in the Sun is so real. There are nuances of In Utero and Nevermind here and there. Still, it's not very accurate. Hear for yourself how closely Hogan and AI produce Nirvana vibes.