Seven years after “Rock Dust Light Star,” Jamiroquai release their eighth studio effort, titled “Automaton.”
Entirely written and produced by the leader Jay Kay along with the band's keyboardist Matt Johnson, the new work was announced as a more decisive shift towards synthpop and dance sounds. A shift that had been partially attempted in some past episodes (just think of the beautiful “Feels Just Like It Should”).
Electro-dance pulses that, in fact, proudly display themselves in the stunning title track, proposed as the lead single: an orgy of sounds, electronic vibrations, and distorted voice that would not be out of place on a Daft Punk record. The melodic opening of the refrain is beautiful, and the incursion into rap territory in the bridge is curious. Daft Punk is heavily referenced also in the overwhelming opener “Shake It On,” one of the best tracks on the album and definitely a candidate for the next single; the track serves as a good general presentation of the sound of the work, which oscillates between '70s disco and synthpop in other highly danceable episodes such as “Superfresh,” “Hot Property” (fantastic), and “Dr Buzz.”
The experiment of “Nights Out In The Jungle” is curious (the only track on the album entirely written by Jay Kay), which reintroduces some rap parts that culminate in a curious and chaotic finale, amid jungle sounds and monkey-like noises.
There are typically old-style Jamiroquai episodes, but they are almost all placed at the end of the record: “We Can Do It” is closer to the latest productions of the British band, while “Vitamin” is a sort of reboot of the now classic “Virtual Insanity.”
The funky-dance of “Carla” closes the album, which like “Summer Girl” aligns with the '70s-'80s disco atmosphere that permeates the entire work.
“Automaton,” all things considered, is a good work, not the complete revolution of Jamiro's typical sound as some had predicted, but nonetheless a good refresh and a new, delightful batch of tracks that will represent a valuable addition in the upcoming live shows of Jay Kay's band.
Best track: Nights Out In The Jungle
Tracklist
Loading comments slowly
Other reviews
By Omega Kid
Jamiroquai once again manages to slip in a noteworthy opener, just like the good old days.
Given the very poor quality of today’s scene, even an average Jamiroquai album is enough to be considered a masterpiece.