casey's (not the gas station)

This article discusses “Now and Then”, the Beatles’ latest release, labeled as their final song. It’s a reconstruction of a John Lennon demo from the 70s, reimagined by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in 2022. The song shows the main melody in a minor key, starting with a piano, guitar, and drums that gradually expands to include strings. It simplifies his original narrative, finishing more optimistically than the original. The track ends with a distinctive and syncopated string phrase, followed by a faint voice saying, “Good one!” While the production is interesting, the main concern is how fans will react to the song being a more digitized “final” release. “Now and Then” evokes nostalgia, serving as a reminder of the band’s lasting legacy, particularly for those who grew up with their music. However, it begs whether bands/musicians will soon be able to expand their legacy beyond their death with the help of technology and AI. It reminds me of that one Black Mirror episode with Miley Cyrus, and it is a little concerning, to be frank.

Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/02/arts/music/beatles-now-and-then-last-song.html

Comments RSS