Jamiroquai

Automaton

A curious band of preservationists, Jamiroquai’s versatility across the Automaton LP proves the value of staying power and musical chops, if nothing else.

Despite some naff phrases, dodgy song titles and a lot of robotic trickery, during times of grim austerity, the return of Jay Kay’s elite, escapist lifestyle – full of fast cars, fast girls and big bulldozing basslines – offers a flash of ostentatious fun.

They may not find new listeners after a seven-year hiatus, but Automaton by Jamiroquai is a strong return and experimental contribution to popular music from a band too often identified solely for one song and its striking video.

Overall, Automaton is inspired, experimental and timeworn. Jay Kay and crew still have something in the tank, even if newcomers might still be left wondering what the fuss is all about.

Kay's lyrics and delivery are suited for the uplifting cuts and Automaton abounds with them.

The album is a testament of their talent: No band from the ’90s has stayed so true to its sound while modifying it in real time, yielding some of its best work more than 20 years after its inception.

There are few bands who play classic disco-funk with as much genuine love for the genre and care in the productions as Kay and Jamiroquai. Ultimately, it's that sense of love and good vibes that drives much of Automaton.

Even Jamiroquai-purists may have forgiven the lack of human-made funk and electronic gadgety if it had an appropriate air-tight parable behind it.

Ironically ... it’s the more old-school tracks that furnish the highlights.

This new LP harks back to their early work more than the sparse albums since 2001, with propulsive grooves and Jay Kay's smooth—like-butter vocals. What it doesn't provide is many reasons to turn to this disc over one of those old ones.

Musically, Automaton possesses a freewheeling swagger that's energizing and intensely danceable, and Jamiroquai updates their familiar brand of disco and funk into something that feels fresh and progressive. But unfortunately Kay doesn't have anything new to say, as his views on society, technology, and relationships are trapped in a bygone era.

On ‘Automaton’, the band falters under the weight of its previous singles, leaving any possibility for chart success mired in a sound that comes across as tired and unoriginal, and the album listening experience as a monotonous ordeal.

In the end, the lairy playboy of the 90s has become the randy dad of 2017. While this album has some good elements, the overall effect is to put the ‘why?’ in Jamiroquai.