The group is just an AI-generated music project and its Spotify’s artist bio now states the project is “an ongoing artistic provocation.”

It confirms that “all characters, stories, music, voices and lyrics are original creations generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools employed as creative instruments.”

In typical style, the creators behind it spent days playing coy. One pseudonymous spokesperson, Andrew Frelon, initially denied the AI claims when speaking to Rolling Stone before later admitting it was part of a so-called art hoax.

Reaction to the reveal has been mixed. Yoga instructor Byron de Marsé praised the music’s ambience, saying it “seeped in slowly, like a scent.” But others were less amused. Audio engineer Jamie Jones said, “if they’re putting in five songs without adding a label first, you’re taking food out of people’s mouths who are trying to make it in that business.”

Critics called the music emotionally hollow and indistinct, pointing to it as proof that Spotify’s recommendation engines favour mood filler over human creativity. Composer Ed Newton-Rex labelled it “intellectual theft,” warning it threatens the income of real musicians already fighting for space on overcrowded playlists.

Deezer reacted first, flagging Velvet Sundown’s tracks as AI-generated and removing them from editorial and algorithmic promotion. Spotify, which still hosts the music, has remained silent on the matter. The affair adds more fuel to the debate around so-called ghost artists appearing across streaming platforms.

A recent CISAC study projected that AI-generated music could slash musicians’ earnings by more than 20 per cent within four years unless some form of regulation steps in.

The picture of the band really gave it all away. What sort of indie band worth listening to looks that clean, does not have skin problems, or a terminal mental condition?  Or is that just my generation?