The release process now begins for Los Angeles-based composer and producer Tommy Simpson‘s IDM experimental music project Macro/micro with a new concept album for 2026 titled A.fter I.ntelligence. The full album is currently available for purchase from Even.biz and at the Macro/micro Bandcamp. In the streaming realm, all tracks will be released over time, with the first single titled Artificial Narrow Intelligence (“We Can Always Just Shut It Off”) now available and new tracks added every 6 weeks until the full album’s streaming release on June 23, 2026.
🔊 How Macro/micro’s IDM / Experimental Electronic Concept Album A.fter I.ntelligence Frames AI’s Rising Existential Tension in 2026
Macro/micro – A.fter I.ntelligence is a very cinematic concept album, which makes perfect sense given Simpson’s background in movie music that includes composition credits for Run The Tide, Kung Fu Games, and Saucedo. A.fter I.ntelligence tells the full story through electronic music exploring AI-themed existential risk in the spirit of films like The Terminator series. From the opening track’s robotic voiceover enticing the listener to “just click on the screen” and start the whole process, to the AI developing consciousness, followed by war between humans and AI, to the inevitable apocalypse, all aspects of this literary and film genre are covered in this concept album.
💿 The Production Techniques Driving Macro/micro’s Expansive IDM Vision & Sound Design
The core of the tracks on the album is made up of grooves led by a blunt kick drum, combined with rumbling bass drones and a wide array of rhythmic digital electric sound effects. At the same time, dreamy but delusional synth bell melodies captivate the listener. In some cases, the elements switch up roles, for example, on the track The Hard Problem: Intelligence Is ( Not Necessarily Sufficient For ) Consciousness, the synth bells take on more of a looping rhythmic aspect of the groove, while the rumbling bass takes over on drawn-out “dies irae” style of melody. This track also features the first guest performance on the album, with a locked-in drum set groove provided by Benjamin Jared Miller, who you can regularly find laying down the beat for the band HEALTH. Miller is also featured on the album’s eighth track, titled Artificial General Intelligence: Ivan’s Eyes ( “What Have I Done?”). On this track, the drums are more integrated, coexisting alongside the digital grooves, whereas in The Hard Problem: Intelligence Is (Not Necessarily Sufficient For) Consciousness, the drum set is isolated and stands alone. Vocalist Veronika Coassolo is also a guest performer on the album, with a chilling performance on the ninth track titled De-empty. The album’s final track, titled Judgement Day, is the only track to stray from the groove core that makes up all of the other tracks, as an apocalyptic solo classical guitar plays a sad melody over flaming ember ambiance, bringing this enthralling concept album to its completion.
🌐 Where to Listen to Macro/micro – A.fter I.ntelligence Album?
🌐 Where to Listen to Macro/micro‘s Top Tracks?
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