In a powerful statement addressing the intersection of music and visual art, The Progressive Subway, a respected voice in music reviews, has issued a plea for musicians to honor traditional art and avoid the use of A.I.-generated imagery.
The platform has committed to crediting album artists in their reviews, a practice they acknowledge as overdue but increasingly essential in today’s rapidly evolving creative landscape.
The message highlights the growing challenges posed by A.I. in the arts, underscoring the potential threat it poses to the livelihoods of real artists and musicians.
“In an age where anyone can procedurally generate soulless A.I. art, it’s now more vital than ever that we all do what we can to recognize and honor the work of real artists,” the statement reads.
A Call to Action for Musicians
Acknowledging the financial constraints that many independent musicians face, The Progressive Subway offers alternative suggestions for album art creation.
From editing photographs to utilizing public domain artwork, the platform illustrates that resourcefulness and creativity can produce meaningful results without turning to artificial intelligence.
Examples highlighted include:
- i Häxa, who creatively edited a photo.
- Kyros, whose EP cover features a still from a DIY music video.
- Múr, who used a band photo.
- Avernus, which drew from the 1878 public domain painting Anguish by August Friedrich Albrecht.
The message underscores the importance of fostering a supportive ecosystem among creators:
“Artists need to support one another together. There’s more integrity to be had in a bad album cover that’s real than a good one that’s fake.”
The Case Against A.I. Art in Music
The Progressive Subway’s critique of A.I.-generated art is multifaceted. The statement points out its environmental impact, its role in automating jobs traditionally held by humans, and its perceived lack of authenticity.
While the platform acknowledges the potential for A.I. as a supplementary tool, it decries handing over the creative process entirely to algorithms, labeling it a “fundamentally anti-artistic act.”
In January, the platform plans to spotlight their favorite album covers of the year, firmly stating that A.I.-generated art will not be included in their selection.
This initiative underscores their dedication to celebrating human creativity and effort in art.
A Shared Responsibility
The Progressive Subway’s plea extends beyond musicians to reviewers, listeners, and fans, emphasizing a collective responsibility to prioritize real artistry.
The statement closes with a call to action:
“Avoid A.I. art and credit the artists you work with so we in turn can credit them too; together, artists, musicians, and reviewers can foster an environment that cares for and about real art.”
By this statement, The Progressive Subway stands firm in its support for traditional artistry, urging musicians and creators to preserve the authenticity and soul of their work.
