Holly Herndon Expands AI Music Frontier with Orchestral Rework of 'Eternal'

Berlin, Germany – Experimental composer and artist Holly Herndon has marked a new chapter in her innovative career with the release of "Eternal – Re-imagined," an orchestral re-orchestration of a key track from her critically acclaimed 2019 album, PROTO. The announcement was subtly shared by Herndon herself on social media, stating simply, "> Album ✨" on July 11, 2025, signaling a significant new musical offering. This release, which debuted on June 24, 2025, continues Herndon's profound exploration of artificial intelligence in artistic creation.

The original "Eternal" served as a foundational piece for PROTO, an album notable for its integration of Herndon's self-developed AI program, 'Spawn,' as a collaborative entity alongside a human choir. For this re-imagined version, Herndon enlisted the talents of composers Vince Pope and Alex Davies, who provided a fresh orchestral arrangement. Pope expressed his captivation with Herndon's work, noting her "embrace of AI in creating something on the fringes of electronica and avant-garde music."

Herndon's work consistently challenges traditional boundaries between human and machine creativity. Her PROTO album, for instance, delved into the "protocol era," prompting questions about identity and societal direction in an age increasingly shaped by AI and digital protocols. This new orchestral interpretation of "Eternal" further exemplifies her commitment to pushing these conceptual and sonic frontiers.

Beyond her musical releases, Herndon remains a prominent voice in the discourse surrounding AI and art. She is scheduled to speak at SXSW 2025 on "AI, Music & Creativity in the Imagination Age," underscoring her ongoing influence in the field. Additionally, her visual art collaborations, such as "Embedding Study (2024)" with Mat Dryhurst, were featured in the 2024 Whitney Biennial and included in a Christie's AI art auction earlier this year, demonstrating her multifaceted engagement with emerging technologies across various artistic mediums.