THE MOTEL faces AI usage allegations following viral success

Japanese indie rock band THE MOTEL has faced intense scrutiny regarding the use of generative AI following the viral success of their single ‘NO’. The track reached number one on Japan’s iTunes Alternative chart after a studio clip garnered millions of views on X, with many listeners praising the band’s 90s British rock-inspired sound and fluent English vocals.

Music commentator Mino has publicly asserted that the band is ‘99.99%’ AI-generated, citing the specific texture of the audio and the high level of English proficiency as evidence. While the band released an acoustic performance titled ‘The AI broke’ on YouTube, some critics argued the vocal quality in the video did not match the studio version, further fueling suspicions. As of late September 2026, the band has not provided a definitive explanation regarding their production methods.