British rock band Idles has just released a new music video for their song “Grace,” and it features an unexpected appearance from Coldplay’s frontman, Chris Martin. But this isn’t your typical collaboration – Martin has been deepfaked into the video, recreating one of Coldplay’s most iconic visuals.
The video for “Grace” pays homage to Coldplay’s breakout hit “Yellow,” which was released in 2000. It features Martin walking along a beach, singing into the camera with a dreamy and nostalgic vibe. However, in Idles’ version, Martin is singing their song “Grace” instead, with the help of artificial intelligence technology.
The concept of deepfaking involves using AI to manipulate videos and create realistic-looking fake footage. In this case, the technology was used to superimpose Martin’s face onto the body of Idles’ lead singer, Joe Talbot. The result is a seamless recreation of the “Yellow” video, with Martin’s voice singing the lyrics of “Grace.”
The idea for the collaboration came from Idles’ guitarist Mark Bowen, who is a longtime fan of Coldplay. He reached out to Martin with the proposal, and the Coldplay frontman was immediately on board. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Bowen explained that the deepfake technology was used as a way to pay tribute to Coldplay’s impact on the music industry.
“We wanted to honor Coldplay’s influence on us and the music world in general,” Bowen said. “And what better way to do that than by having Chris Martin sing one of our songs in the style of their classic video?”
The deepfake video has received a mixed response from fans, with some praising the creativity and others expressing concern over the use of AI technology. However, Idles and Martin have both defended the collaboration, stating that it was meant as a fun and lighthearted tribute.
“We’re not trying to deceive anyone or manipulate the truth,” Martin stated. “We simply wanted to have some fun and pay homage to a band that has inspired us in so many ways.”
The release of the “Grace” video comes just a few weeks after Idles dropped their highly anticipated fourth album, “Crawler.” The band has been praised for their raw and politically charged lyrics, and their unique blend of punk and post-punk sounds.
As for Coldplay, they are currently gearing up for the release of their ninth studio album, “Music of the Spheres,” which is set to drop on October 15th. The band has already released two singles from the album, “Higher Power” and “Coloratura,” and fans are eagerly anticipating what they have in store.
In the meantime, fans can enjoy the unexpected collaboration between Idles and Chris Martin in the “Grace” music video. It’s a unique and creative way to pay tribute to one of the biggest bands in the world, and it’s sure to be a hit with fans of both Coldplay and Idles.
