65daysofstatic's latest album, titled "Journeys," passionately explores the essence of humanity within an increasingly AI-driven landscape. It is indeed rare for a musical group to revisit a game they had originally scored nearly a decade ago, but then again, few games can compare to the unique experience that is No Man's Sky. First showcased on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and during high-profile E3 conferences, No Man's Sky was launched in 2016 to great fanfare, with promises of a limitless gaming future made possible through the wonders of procedural generation that created its sprawling science fiction universe.
Fast forward to today, nearly nine years since its debut, 65daysofstatic finds itself re-engaging with this ever-evolving game. However, the excitement surrounding generated content that once captured imaginations has faded, overshadowed by the rise of AI-generated media flooding our social media feeds and even spawning bands that make their way onto platforms like Spotify. What was once a symbol of innovative possibilities in gaming has morphed, for many, into something reminiscent of dystopian dire straits.
Paul Wolinski from 65daysofstatic succinctly summarizes their sentiment: "It’s just capitalism, isn’t it? It’s ruining everything. It’s these CEOs who fail to distinguish between art and mere content." This sentiment lays the groundwork for "Journeys," an anthem dedicated to the human spirit, crafted intentionally as a countervoice to the encroaching wave of machine-generated music. Collaborating closely with audio director Paul Weir from Hello Games, Wolinski devoted a year to evolving a series of abstract, unreleased soundscapes into complete, cohesive songs. Originally designed to be endlessly manipulated by the game’s algorithms, the two Pauls sought to transform these ethereal soundscapes into something that exudes a distinctly human touch. The outcome? An expansive 32-track album, encapsulated across four vinyl records that combine 65daysofstatic’s reimagined soundscapes with original pieces composed by Weir.
Wolinski notes, "For this record, we focused on converting all of that infinite material into something that feels uniquely crafted—something that breathes individuality and artistry." In contrast to the initial soundtrack, "Music for an Infinite Universe," characterized by energetic drums and soaring guitars that mirrored the exhilarating experience of launching into space, "Journeys" presents itself as a different creation altogether. It embodies a haunting ambiance, tapping into the underlying anxiety of stepping onto an unfamiliar planet, with the initial optimism of the first score replaced by a sense of enigmatic reality.
Reflecting on the project, Wolinski shares, "When we initially embarked on this journey, I thought it would simply involve remixing our previous work, but to my surprise, many of the soundscapes didn’t lend themselves to forming a traditional song structure at all… it proved to be much more challenging and enigmatic." Fortunately, 65daysofstatic had the advantage of collaboration with Weir, an expert in crafting ambient sounds.
As the band explored the possibilities of procedural music in their live performances, No Man's Sky continued to evolve, necessitating music that could keep pace with its progress. Weir describes his experience: "I was keen to avoid replicating a fake 65daysofstatic. I consider myself both a sound designer and a composer, which adds layers of abstraction to our music. Expect a plethora of unusual sounds!"
The combination of 65daysofstatic’s progressive compositions with Weir’s synth-dominated atmospheres culminates in a style that resonates more like a Philip Glass score than a typical post-rock album. This evolution reflects the same transformative journey that No Man's Sky has experienced, transitioning from a rocky launch to the extensive sci-fi epic it has become. Weir ponders the peculiar relationship that spans over 14 years: "It’s a curious dynamic. We both occasionally think, 'Alright, that’s enough, time to move forward!' Yet, in the same breath, we revel in its ongoing strength and popularity."
Interestingly, it’s not just Hello Games that has basked in the achievement of No Man's Sky. Among the most streamed tracks from 65daysofstatic on Spotify, nine were specifically crafted for the game. These compositions have transcended the game itself, finding a permanent home in 65daysofstatic's live performances, something rarely achieved by typical soundtracks. Wolinski expresses, "For us, it has always felt like a 65daysofstatic album as much as it is a score for No Man's Sky. While we have been fortunate to be linked to other significant projects throughout our career, having our music attached to something that has had a profound cultural impact is genuinely gratifying."
With "Journeys" now available, could there be potential to perform the music live together in the future? Weir hints, "We wouldn’t rule out the possibility of doing something for the 10th anniversary in some capacity."
As No Man's Sky has undergone significant changes since its launch, our collective relationship with technology has also shifted considerably since 2016. When Wolinski first encountered the potential for procedural generation to reorder music, it became an obsession that influenced everything from live-coded performances to 2019's algorithmically driven album "Decomposition Theory," and even led to his pursuit of a PhD. He reflects fondly, "No Man’s Sky definitely set us on this unique path, and I’m genuinely pleased it did."
However, looking ahead to 2025, Wolinski believes that the reputational value of generative technology is being compromised by poorly executed AI content. He states, "Returning to this project, we found ourselves firmly opposing the associations made between generative systems and subpar AI output. There exists a monumental difference between that and the generative systems employed in No Man’s Sky… Nowadays, it’s merely about churning out more content to capture fleeting attention. The entire situation feels disheartening."
Weir underlines this critical distinction: "With No Man’s Sky, every element of our music is meticulously crafted. The computer may not generate anything new — its role is to simply rearrange existing works." Despite the stark contrast between an algorithm that assembles human-created music and one that simply generates it, there is a pressing need for genuine human artists to defend their craft against the threat posed by AI mimicry.
Hence, "Journeys" represents something far greater than a mere collection of songs; it stands as a bold statement from humans asserting their place against the rise of musical AI. Wolinski passionately asserts, "Who truly cares if computers can create music? That’s not the essence of music itself. The mechanics of moving speakers to produce sound waves is but a minuscule part of what renders music meaningful. It revolves around the social relationships encircling it - the human connections made between individuals, even if they never meet in person. This is the true nature of art — and it is precisely why generative AI fundamentally misconstrues that core principle."
"Journeys" is currently available on various streaming platforms and can also be enjoyed in a deluxe vinyl format.
