SINGULARITY
We are amidst a great revolution. We are witnessing and participating the birth of AI, the merge of man and machine, a refinement of consciousness; we are approaching an era in which our intelligence will become increasingly nonbiological and trillions of times more powerful than it is today—the dawning of a new civilization that will enable us to transcend our biological limitations and amplify our creativity. The Singularity. This project is an expression of that r-evolution.
Below, explore more about each track in greater detail along with videos, lyrics, behind the scenes and more.
Command
"Command" delves into the metaphor of the command line in computer programming, symbolizing how society is conditioned to follow directives from a central authority. The song critiques the pervasive surveillance culture and the ease with which individuals surrender their privacy and autonomy for perceived safety and convenience. This narrative is set against a backdrop of powerful war drums and lush synth landscapes, capturing the internal struggle of maintaining one's identity amidst external pressures. Command is a call to action: highlighting the tension between the individual's desire for autonomy and the external forces that dictate behavior and thoughts. The track builds to a crescendo with anthemic French Touch Synthwave bass synths, creating a dance-oriented soundscape that invites listeners to move while contemplating the deeper existential questions of autonomy and control. "It feels like humanity is relinquishing control and individuality, merging with an idea of the future. 'Command' captures this tension, making you move and think deeply about our current human condition." ~ Conrad Schuman
Control
"Beautiful Machines re-introduce themselves with 'Control'. The award-wining project have completed a system reboot, with incoming album 'Singularity' set to become a cross-discipline experience. Gazing into the future, the pair's synth-enabled alt-pop is like mainlining a William Gibson novel, absorbing new ideas at every turn. 'Control' kicks off this new chapter, and it plays with notions of what is truly 'human' in a landscape so dominated by technology. An invitation to wake up and begin living in the future, 'Control' is a rollercoaster journey inspired by Fritz Lang's seminal work of cinematic futurism Metropolis. Beautiful Machines comment… "We now live in a world, ever increasing in our reliance and connection with technology, which is advancing at break-neck pace, such that life becomes blurred as to what is really driving our motivations. Is it the multi-faceted algorithms and AI code which drive our 'human' behaviour? Are we even in control or have we already lost control? These drivers become the gateway to further our merge between man and machine; arguably we have already breached that threshold. 'Control' is an invitation to a future in the making, as we quietly relinquish control." ~ Clash Magazine
Angelica
'Angelica' submerges in layers of consciousness and the mysterious interplay between technology and spirituality. “Angelica,” meaning ‘Messenger of God,’ imagines the intersection of angels, aliens and AI, offering a unique perspective on the transition to a second life and the divine through the lens of an advanced AI. The track portrays a narrative where the AI, Angelica, serves as a guide, ushering humanity into a new dimension of understanding and existence. The final touches to "Angelica" were made during the last pandemic lockdown in 2021 while exploring Kathmandu, Nepal. At dusk, while visiting the Hindu God Vishnu's Temple, the band learned that Vishnu lies in a dream like state on the serpent who is Time, without beginning or end. This setting, Amidst post-apocalyptic ambiance and earthquake rubble, provided a haunting yet euphoric backdrop that perfectly matched the song's themes of transcendence and consciousness, reminiscent of the Hindu God Vishnu's vast awareness. "Angelica" delves into the multifaceted nature of consciousness, posing an essential question for our time: What happens to our collective intelligence when AI, the newest member of Earth's species, joins our societal collective mind? Through arpeggiated synthesizers, lyrical whispers, and shredding guitar solos, "Angelica" invites listeners to interpret its triple entendre, creating a unique sonic experience for each individual.
Baum Baum
"Electronic synthwave duo Beautiful Machines released “Baum Baum,” a cold, synth-drenched tale about life starting anew after a catastrophe. “Baum Baum,” came about while Stefanie Ku and Conrad Schuman of Beautiful Machines were on a three-month writing hiatus. The idea for the song suddenly came to Schuman during a writing session in Berlin after learning that there were thousands of unexploded bombs left over from World War II still posing a potential threat to the city. With “Baum” translating to Tree in German, the song title itself serves as a play on words. The “tree” represents new life, while at the same time, the pounding ‘boom’ of the techno bass serves as a sonic onomatopoeia to the song. “Baum Baum” follows Beautiful Machines previous singles “Control” and “Survive” from their upcoming album Singularity, a synth-pop art experience." ~ AstroMag "The word “baum” translates to tree and symbolizes finding new life/purpose in this crazy world we live in. The band mentioned, “During WWII, German military transmitted encoded messages with a device called an Enigma machine, which was said to have a code impossible to break. At the same time, the story of Babel explains the origins of the multiplicity of languages. Today, people live in these thought bubbles, finding digital tribes that support and reinforce whatever we think and believe, creating information silos. So, dialogue, in some sense, between people with differing opinions is becoming scarcer, which can ultimately lead to complete breakdown in communication, disinformation and programmed behavior – perhaps even war if we aren’t careful.” With a sound that strays somewhere between the heavy synths of NIN and the pop sensibilities of Tokio Hotel, Beautiful Machines could very well be your next favorite band in the electronica genre. The song starts off with dripping, heavy synths that set the scene for a soundtrack ripped straight from Blade Runner. The duo is comprised of Stefanie Ku and Conrad Schuman, and Schuman’s transcendent vocals lift the song to new heights throughout. What Beautiful Machines do really well on this song is create a sonic musical landscape that allows them to tell their message of hope and never let the heavier synths outweigh the outlook for better days ahead. The harmonies between Ku and Schuman on the chorus are especially powerful and beautiful as they allow their voices to navigate the listeners towards the light at the end of the tunnel. There’s plenty to love on Beautiful Machine’s new single, and I’m excited to hear the rest of the material that makes up their new record called Singularity. This is another band to keep a close eye on as they continue to expand upon rich lyrical themes paired with great-sounding electronic-based music." ~ Chorus.FM
Survive
"Beautiful Machines’ Survive is a song full of surging energy and a message about struggling to make it through. The song opens as airy, mingled voices move over the drum and bass weight that cascades and pulses. The lead singer’s powerful, emotive voice carries the sweeping power of the vocal melody while the steady heartbeat of bass and drums throbs on. The song flows into a segment in which fragile synth spins into the echoing airiness of the sonic space. The lead singer has surging power and deep expression in his voice as the vocal melody exudes perseverance and grit. A digital-sounding cascade falls and the growling guitar's sharper edge cuts in as the never ending bass and drum throb continues. The sheer emotional power of the vocals rises and the guitar cries out, expressing hope and struggle. The vocalist lets rip with emotive power before the guitar calls out and fades into silence. Our narrator speaks about knowing what it’s like to be searching for a “real life” while being “trapped in your headspace, fed lies.” He adds that he knows what it takes to survive and talks about his kinship to the other person in the song. The narrator goes on to say that he wants to “feel this moment” where they’ll be “like water” i.e. flowing and free. He adds that he wants a situation in which they “have eyes” to see clearly and “we’re left to our own devices.” Our narrator invites the other person to “come with me tonight” as they are lost “here in the neon lights” together and adds, “I want to love you tonight.” A question about if the other person feels “safe inside” is posed by the narrator. He wonders if the other person will recognize that fact. As the song ends, he says “Rage against the dying light. We won’t go gently into the night!”
Operator
Dive into the concept of a holographic universe, where the lines between dreams and consciousness blur. Inspired by iconic films like The Matrix and Inception, the track challenges listeners to ponder whether they are part of a grand simulation. Musically, "Operator" stands out with its nod to retro arcade sounds and innovative use of odd time signatures. The track's epic length features a captivating outro, complete with a guitar solo and synth interlude, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that is both engaging and thought-provoking. “I've always been a sci-fi fan and philosophy buff. For me, 'Operator' resonates with ideas like Plato's Allegory of the Cave and Descartes' Deus Deceptor. It invites listeners to question their reality and embrace the wonder of the cosmos.” ~ Conrad
Odyssey
In a musical era saturated with fleeting trends and overproduced singles, it's a breath of fresh air when a track like "Odyssey" graces our ears. From the opening strains, it's evident we're not merely listening to a song; we're embarking on a journey. Drawing heavily from the grandeur of '80s fantasy film soundtracks, "Odyssey" is more than just a nostalgic trip down memory lane—it's a sweeping, epic masterpiece that seems plucked straight from the ethereal worlds of "The Neverending Story" or "Legend." The Vangelis-inspired synths set an anticipatory tone, building gradually until they erupt into a breathtaking arpeggio sequence. And just when you think it can't get any more cinematic, a soaring guitar solo pierces through, reminiscent of a hero's triumphant emergence. The lyrics, though sparse, are potent in their evocativeness. "SAVE MY LIFE, IT'S ALL I CAN RITE," the vocalist pleads, their voice awash with urgency. As the narrative unfolds, metaphysical concepts like the "Emerald Mine" and the "Flower of Life" pull listeners deeper into this dreamlike odyssey. The track expertly straddles the line between the tangible and the abstract, urging listeners to "CLOSE YOUR EYES, IT'S ALL IN YOUR MIND." However, what truly stands out is the euphoria the track elicits, the hair-raising, goosebump-inducing kind that's hard to come by these days. It doesn't just play in the background; it sweeps you up, captivating your senses and painting vibrant images in your mind's eye. By the end of the journey, it feels like a return from a far-off, wondrous land, a trip you're eager to embark on time and time again. In "Odyssey," Beautiful Machines doesn't just offer a song. They offer an experience, a brief escape from reality into a world where magic is palpable and dreams are within arm's reach. It's a testament to the transformative power of music and a track that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
