It’s been teased since aespa’s debut in 2020, and now SM Entertainment has finally debuted their virtual creation nævis. For those not in the know, nævis is (according to Fandom.com) “an AI system that helps the aes of aespa appear in the real world, allowing them to be seen by the real aespa members.” Okay, then. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather SM spend their money on the debut of their upcoming girl group.
AI has already begun to change the music industry and this kind of AI “artist” is likely to become more common as time goes on. As consumers and music aficionados, we must fight against it. Utilizing technology for art is one thing. Ceding musical expression to a computer algorithm is something else entirely. Done hosts a trio of human producers/composers, but you wouldn’t know it from listening to the track. It’s only a few notches above Eternity’s death spiral nightmare I’m Real, and that’s shocking coming from an agency as well-regarded and well-funded as SM.
Musically, I don’t know who Done is supposed to appeal to. It’s off-putting from the start, trudging through a defeated instrumental that melds dull percussion to vague symphonic synths. I can’t tell if the vocals are a heavily processed human or a robot halfheartedly reaching for notes, but either way the result can barely be considered singing. The execution moves from plodding monologue to screaming computer virus, rarely finding melodies that do anything beyond shrieking.
More than anything, I’m left with one question: Did anyone actually want this?
Hooks
5
Production
5
Longevity
5
Bias
4
RATING
4.75