For many people, music is more than just a recreational activity. It’s also a way to connect with others, share ideas, and express oneself creatively. It’s no secret that the music industry is constantly changing with the emergence of new technology.
AI has already entered the world of music production in subtle ways, helping correct vocal pitch and allowing engineers to mix and master recordings much more quickly and cheaply. More importantly, it’s a part of most people’s listening experiences: streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music use algorithms to suggest songs based on one’s preferences.
But there’s another side to AI that has triggered excitement and alarm. Over the past few years, advances in AI have made it possible for anyone sitting at home to reproduce the sound of their musical idols. One artist went viral for creating songs that sounded exactly like Drake and The Weeknd; another creator jokingly set Frank Sinatra’s smoky voice to profane Lil Jon lyrics. Some tools even allow users to create entire recordings simply by typing in prompts.
Revelation chapter 5 starts with “And they sang a new song.” In the Old Testament, the Psalms often exhort us to sing “a new song.” But what does it mean to sing a new song? Theologians have debated over whether the phrase “new song” means something literally fresh and new or is a figurative language for a renewed devotion and passion for God.
In a time when music is becoming more and more homogenous, it’s easy to lose sight of what it is about the art form that sets it apart from other forms of expression. The uniqueness of the human voice is a powerful tool to convey a message, and the ability to blend and switch between voices adds layers of meaning to any piece of music.
NewSong was formed in 1981, at Morningside Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia, with songwriters Leonard Ahlstrom and Charles Billingsley, electric guitarist Scotty Wilbanks, and singer/songwriter Russ Lee from the contemporary Christian band Truth. The group recorded three custom albums independently before signing with Covenant Records in 1982. They stayed with the label for a decade before moving to Word Records’ Canaan branch and releasing The Son In Your Eyes, followed in 1984 by People Get Ready, which brought four No. 1 hits.
After the release of All Around the World in 1993, singer/songwriters Michael O’Brien and Steve Reischl joined the group and NewSong released a series of singles. In 2000, they split with Word and formed their own record label, DaySpring, with former Benson Records exec DC Daniel. NewSong has released ten more albums with the label, including 2006’s Sheltering Tree which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Album.
In 2019, the group reformed with only two members, singer/songwriters Eddie Carswell and SZA. They have released several singles including “Good Days,” a song that highlights SZA’s signature style of music that can’t be easily categorized as either country or urban. The track is filled with emotion and showcases her ability to switch between a softer, more melodic tone and a harder, more intense style.