Several prominent indie musicians have released AI-generated music videos in recent months, each time to extremely negative reactions within their fanbases. Last fall, emo supergroup LS Dunes had to post a statement defending the use of AI in their “Old Wounds” video. Earlier this year, Mannequin Pussy tweeted in response to backlash for its AI-powered “Nothing Like” video. Now it's Washed Out's turn to learn that indie audiences really don't want their creative work replaced by his AI.
On Thursday, Ernest Green, aka Washed Out, announced his first album in four years with the release of lead single “The Hardest Part.” The song's video was created using Sora, his OpenAI's new and highly touted tool that can generate realistic video images based on text prompts. Our comment section was disgusted by this choice, and it turns out so was Washed Out's indie-pop ally Trevor Powers, aka Youth Lagoon. Powers expressed his disdain for the video in a tweet Thursday night.
This Washed Out AI video is the best case of blatant lack of artistry I've ever seen. It says nothing, does nothing, and is nothing. Ugly slog too. Being an artist has a responsibility to tell the truth. your personal truth. Some guts. Anything else is boring and a scam.
washout Tweet Also, an Instagram post proudly announcing that it used Sora to create the video caused a strong backlash, but inevitably a small number of people (?) who pay for the blue check on X/Twitter supported it. I announced.
