“A thousand little deaths for me if I forget you.”
iRis.EXE is one of the most intriguing projects I’ve come across in some time. A self-described ‘AI-assisted’ music project, iRis.EXE is interesting for a few different reasons. Chiefly, the way in which iRis is building the software used here to eventually aid aspiring young musicians/producers in getting immersed in the world of production is incredibly noble. However, another pertinent reason is that the music is, through all the trials and tribulations of working with AI, somehow really fucking good. Many AI-led art projects stand as pieces that are impressive as examples of what we could do with AI and automation, but largely fall apart as actual pieces of art, due to the lack of what iRis describes as the “human element” of art. SMiLE, however, is a glorious thesis on how assistance from AI, combined with a human touch can create something truly great, and genuinely enjoyable to listen to.
That’s not to say much of what’s on display here is straightforward. Don’t get me wrong, SMiLE is a weird project. A project unconfined by genre, dabbling in elements of such wide-reaching genres as avant-garde electronic music, all the way over to post-hardcore/metalcore, combined with the freakish AI-led structure of some of these tracks, it’s certainly a lot to take in. However, what is absolutely undeniable, is how fun these tracks are, on top of the technological marvel of it all. iRis’s dynamic vocal performance, too, ranging from the most soaring of belts to gorgeously haunting and subdued passages make for a lead performance across this EP that is truly something to behold.
Take, for instance, the eerie and threadbare “no poison of my own”. Coming in at just shy of two minutes, it’s a short and beyond unconventional track that still manages to sink its claws into you, thanks to its downright terrifying atmosphere. All that sits within the soundscape of the track are iRis’s pained and downright operatic vocal performance, along with some unobtrusive ambience that only builds upon the track’s haunting presence.
Contrast this with “a thousand needles” or “it’s the blue that lasts”, which dabble more in the rock-oriented side of the EP’s sonic spectrum. Driving drums; punchy, synthesized guitars; and belted post-hardcore-esque vocals with some truly infectious hooks line the experience of these tracks. The latter of the two tracks further contains one of the EP’s sparingly used vocal features, featuring a couple of short verses from Vatican’s Mike Sugars. Just a few tracks previous in the EP, too, we’re treated to a melodic vocal feature from Dying Wish’s Emma Boster on the gorgeous “sleep better”, whose pad drums and swelling synths make for one of the EP’s most straightforward and chill cuts. Truth be told, each and every track on SMiLE shines in its own way, and while I could go into detail about what each track does well, it’s a journey better experienced for yourself.
With that, on SMiLE, iRis.EXE proves that consumable AI-led art isn’t just a pipe dream. A winding, weird and experimental seven-track journey unbound by genre; if this is just the first step of what’s to come for the iRis.EXE project, I’m certainly along for the ride. For more on iRis.EXE, make sure to check out our extended feature piece on her exploration of AI in art and the world at large right here on Boolin Tunes.
9.5/10
SMiLE will be available tomorrow, May 26th via self-release, and you can find iRis.EXE’s official site here.