The Future Sounds Of Idol Culture Are Explored In This Latest Single From Ex-James Richard Evans

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The Future Sounds Of Idol Culture Are Explored In This Latest Single From Ex-James Richard Evans

20/2/2025

Richard Evans

Aidoru

Cold Star Media

Formerly a member of the Manchester brit-rockers James, Richard Evans is spiralling up and out with his own brand of electro and synthpop that manifests as Mancunian maturity and magic. With his album Quantum out on April 25th, Richard Evans provides a taster. The new single is called Aidoru, which is the Japanese word for Idol. A representation of natural forces, spirit beings, or even gods and goddesses, the word Idol is often used to describe our cultural heroes. Is the power in the individual or in the pedestal? I suppose it depends on what they are idolised for and who pays for it. The song looks at the recent phenomenon of AI and how the technology is used to create virtual idols who cater for our desires without feeling the human connection in the process. Are the artists the programmers and the technicians, who may not have musical talent and star quality, or are the artists the virtual creations in the minds of those who enjoy them? Perhaps they are both artists, one being a dream and one being an engineering project. Perhaps there is no artist and it’s all completely fake. Richard Evans wants us to think about these things while enjoying a completely organic piece of music made with technology perfected and operated by human hands. Let’s watch the video.

A brisk fan-wave of synth opens with staggered rhythmic bursts. Oriental instruments begin to create beautiful melodic atmosphere among the digital pulsations. A mix or layers brings ethereal and dreamy harmonies from the ether as Evans enters with the vocal. A synthpop style effect decorates his voice as the story of song begins to create a space-age world of fantasy and hope. Listening to the lush chords and driving bass, a sense of nuanced blissfulness washes through as the slightly scary lyrics give us all of our desires. What are we forgetting here, while fascinated by the sensation of having our dreams matched by reality? This song was made by a person.

You can download music by Richard Evans on Bandcamp

You can find out more on the Richard Evans website

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