★★★★
The hype is real behind Jamiroquai’s eighth album, Automaton. With tasty singles ‘Automaton’ and ‘Cloud 9’, it’s clear why fans are insatiable for Jay Kay’s smooth, unmistakable vocals to seduce our eardrums with fresh material.
Automaton leaves seventh album Rock Dust Light Star in the dust, makes up for its pedestrian moments and taking you back to the band’s golden releases without the nostalgia. Much like its name suggests, the album is Jamiroquai sounding more modern, digital and intergalactic than before, bringing their classic groove and instrumentation into a world full of streaming and surprise albums.
Opener ‘Shake It On’ combines old and new and defines the record perfectly – those body-shimmying strings, throbbing bass, uplifting backing vocals, experimental sounds and a touch of Auto-Tune as Jay Kay sets the scene: “Music’s still infecting me / Music’s still protecting me / If we’re going to do this thing / Let’s do it right”.
And they have done it right. Automaton sees you moving from track one to 12, discovering its layers like a mille-feuille and rejoicing in its hip-popping funky disco and sleazy saxophone moments in tracks like ‘Hot Property’ and later ‘Dr Buzz’. The album’s not exactly filled with memorable sing-along moments but nor does it need to be.
It’s been 25 years since Jamiroquai first formed, but Automaton proves time hasn’t stopped them from getting down to business and delivering cosmic, feel-good tracks.
Automatonis out Friday March 31 through EMI.
