Continuing to test the limits of modern AI, producer and songwriter Chip Altholz draws upon over fifty years of experience in music, to compose prompts for the party-themed and aptly-titled new EP FunkTheAI.
Essentially showcasing an upbeat and celebratory approach to colourful dance-pop and funk, the project begins with the quickly catchy Boys Suck, a long-form verse melody resolving with an almost pop-punk twist of a hook. Then we shift into something a little more slick, for the familiar and timeless pop-disco stylings of I Spent The Night With You.
Next we’re presented with an empowering electro-funk anthem designed to inspire and motivate. We’ve Got The Power builds further on the energy of Boys Suck, delivering a sense of female strength in both its vocal lead and lyrical confidence.
These are pop songs with huge productions and lashings of free-flowing energy, and each one seems in keeping with many of the contemporary pop offerings from throughout the past decade.
For I’m Blown Away By Your Mind, we move into the boys’ side of the spectrum, with a fresh vocal lead and something a little more smooth and retro to the melody and presentation. The instrumental breakdown is a tad gamer-like at its peak.
After this, The Best Thing I Never Had is an easy highlight, perhaps for its simplicity and minimalism on the musical front. The concept is also memorable and strangely relatable, and with the warmth of country pop, the song naturally stands out.
Wrapping things up is the guitar-funk explosion of Bad Boys. The male vocal lead returns but with a fresh tone and character. The country edge seems present still in the melody and build up, but the production holds close to this artificial electro-funk style that drives the bulk of the EP.
For now, the artificial performances of the modern scene are still largely detectable, the songwriting still needs decisive input from experienced creatives. Hopefully that human aspect remains at the forefront, to hold on to the genuine connection. One thing’s for sure, Chip Altholz approaches music from a clear place of adoration and love for the process, and you can hear this throughout the FunkTheAI EP.
Download or stream FunkTheAI or visit their Website. Find producer Chip Altholz on Instagram.
