Automaton | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 31 March 2017 | |||
Recorded | 2015–2016 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 57:07 | |||
Label | Virgin EMI | |||
Producer | ||||
Jamiroquai chronology | ||||
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Singles from Automaton | ||||
Automaton is the eighth studio album by English funk band Jamiroquai, released on 31 March 2017 through Virgin EMI. It is the band's first album in seven years, following Rock Dust Light Star (2010). It was a number-one album in Italy and peaked at number 2 in Switzerland, number 3 in France, and number 4 in the UK.
Jay Kay described the inspiration for Automaton: "in recognition of the rise of artificial intelligence and technology in our world today and how we as humans are beginning to forget the more pleasant, simple and eloquent things in life and in our environment including our relationship with one another as human beings". [6]
Aggregate scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 71/100 [7] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Consequence of Sound | B+ [9] |
Exclaim! | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Independent | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Guardian | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Observer | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Paste | 8.6/10 [14] |
Pitchfork | 7.0/10 [15] |
Slant Magazine | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Yorkshire Times | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Upon release the album received generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from music critics, the album received an average score of 71, which indicates "generally favorable reviews", based on 16 reviews. [7]
In his review for AllMusic, Matt Collar concluded that "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." [8]
Although not released as a single, "Shake it On" broke into the Official French Singles Chart, peaking at number 154. [18]
The album had its worldwide radio premiere on 26 January 2017 at 20:00 GMT on BBC Radio 2's Jo Whiley show, which played its first single, "Automaton". [nb 1] [19]
On 27 January 2017, Jamiroquai released online a video version of the title track as the album's lead single. [6] [20]
On 10 February 2017, Jamiroquai released an audio version of the track "Cloud 9", [21] and on 22 February 2017 released online the video version featuring actress Monica Cruz.
On 29 June 2017, the band released "Superfresh" as the third official single from the album. An accompanying music video was produced without active participation from front man Jay Kay, whose back injury most likely left him unable to attend the filming. As a result, cut scenes from the "Automaton" video were interspersed throughout it. [22]
In December 2017 a fourth single, "Summer Girl", was released. [23] It was followed by "Nights Out in the Jungle" in January 2018. [24]
On 17 January 2017, Jamiroquai announced a 10-date festival tour of Asia and Europe due to start on 25 May 2017 in Tokyo, Japan, and to end on 5 August 2017 in Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal; the tour also included shows in South Korea, Greece, the Netherlands, [25] Italy, Finland, France, Switzerland and Czech Republic. [26]
On 1 February 2017, Jamiroquai announced a new show: on 9 August 2017 at Smukfest, Skanderborg, Denmark. [27]
On 3 February 2017, Jamiroquai announced two new shows, in France and the UK: on 28 March 2017 at the Salle Pleyel, Paris and on 31 March 2017 at the Roundhouse, London. The two shows were sold out in less than one minute. [28] [29]
Two new band members joined at the time of the tour: Nate Williams on guitar and keyboards and Howard Whiddett on Ableton Live. [30]
Jamiroquai also announced they would take part on 12 August 2017 in the Boardmasters Festival, Newquay, Cornwall, United Kingdom.
All tracks are written by Jay Kay and Matt Johnson, except "Nights Out in the Jungle" by Kay.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Shake It On" | 5:14 |
2. | "Automaton" | 4:47 |
3. | "Cloud 9" | 3:56 |
4. | "Superfresh" | 3:48 |
5. | "Hot Property" | 4:31 |
6. | "Something About You" | 3:58 |
7. | "Summer Girl" | 5:31 |
8. | "Nights Out in the Jungle" | 5:09 |
9. | "Dr Buzz" | 6:01 |
10. | "We Can Do It" | 4:06 |
11. | "Vitamin" | 4:26 |
12. | "Carla" | 5:33 |
Total length: | 57:07 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
13. | "Nice and Spicy" | 4:41 |
Total length: | 61:48 |
Credits adapted from liner notes. [31]
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom (BPI) [59] | Silver | 60,000![]() |
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Jamiroquai are an English funk and acid jazz band from London. Formed in 1992, they are fronted by vocalist Jay Kay, and were prominent in the London-based funk and acid jazz movement of the 1990s. They built on their acid jazz sound in their early releases and later drew from rock, disco, electronic and Latin music genres. Lyrically, the group has addressed social and environmental justice. Kay has remained as the only original member through several line-up changes.
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Jay Kay is a British funk and alternative rock singer-songwriter. He is best known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of the acid jazz and funk band Jamiroquai, which was formed in 1992.
A Funk Odyssey is the fifth studio album by English funk band Jamiroquai. The album was released on 3 September 2001 in the United Kingdom by Sony Soho Square and 11 September 2001 by Epic Records in the United States.
Emergency on Planet Earth is the debut studio album by English funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai, released on 14 June 1993 under Sony Soho Square. Prior its release, the band debuted in 1992 with "When You Gonna Learn" under Acid Jazz Records, and front-man Jay Kay was given a major-label deal with Sony Music. The album was produced as Kay formed the band and is characterised by its acid jazz foundations, layers of instrumentation and socially charged lyrics.
The Return of the Space Cowboy is the second album by English funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai. The album was released on 17 October 1994 under Sony Soho Square. The album continues the musical direction of their debut, Emergency on Planet Earth (1993), and is characterised by its complex songwriting as a result of Jay Kay's creative block mid-production. Its lyrics addressed street life, hope, loss and Kay's drug use, and social matters regarding Native Americans and youth protests.
Travelling Without Moving is the third studio album by English funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai, released on 28 August 1996 in Japan, then on 9 September 1996 in the United Kingdom under Sony Soho Square. Front-man Jay Kay intended for the album to have a more universal style, revolving around "cars, life and love". Critics have generally praised the album for being more focused and refined than the band's previous work while others panned its lyrics and found the album too derivative. Kay also faced backlash from press for his use of sports cars in this period despite his environmental beliefs.
Synkronized is the fourth studio album by English funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai. It was released on 8 June 1999 by Work Group in the United States, and on 14 June 1999 by S2 Records in the United Kingdom. Bassist Stuart Zender left the band during recording, and Nick Fyffe was hired as a replacement. The album contains funk, acid jazz and disco elements.
Dynamite is the sixth studio album by English funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai. It was released on 15 June 2005 in Japan, 20 June 2005 in the United Kingdom, 21 July 2005 in Australia and 20 September 2005 in the United States.
"Deeper Underground" is a single by British funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai from the soundtrack to the 1998 film Godzilla. The song was also included as a bonus track on the group's fourth studio album, Synkronized, as well as on the special edition of the group's fifth album, A Funk Odyssey. "Deeper Underground" became a hit in several countries, becoming the group's first and only single to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart, selling over 339,100 copies in the UK as of March 2017.
"Virtual Insanity" is a song by British funk band Jamiroquai, released on 19 August 1996 as the second single from their third studio album, Travelling Without Moving (1996). The song interpolates parts of Jocelyn Brown's post-disco hit "Somebody Else's Guy" (1984), and its award-winning music video was released in September 1996, garnering 10 nominations and winning four, including for "Video of the Year", at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards.
High Times: Singles 1992–2006 is a compilation album by the British band Jamiroquai that was released on 6 November 2006 in the United Kingdom and 8 November 2006 in Japan.
Jamiroquai are a British funk and acid jazz band formed in 1992. Fronted by lead singer Jay Kay, Jamiroquai were initially the most prominent component in the early-1990s London-based acid jazz movement. Subsequent albums have explored other musical directions such as pop, rock, disco and electronica. Their best-known track is "Virtual Insanity", which won four awards at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards. Jamiroquai have sold more than 26 million albums worldwide and won a Grammy Award in 1998.
"Alright" is a song by British funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai, released as the third single from their third studio album, Travelling Without Moving (1996). The song, written by Jamiroquai, contains samples from Eddie Harris' "It's All Right Now" and Idris Muhammad's "Could Heaven Ever Be Like This". "Alright" was released on 28 April 1997 via Sony Soho Square in the United Kingdom, peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart and at number two in Iceland. It is the group's only single to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 78. The music video, directed by Vaughan Arnell, features the band performing the song at a party.
Rock Dust Light Star is the seventh studio album released by the English band Jamiroquai. The album was released on 1 November 2010 in the United Kingdom by Universal Music/Mercury Records and on 24 April 2012 in the United States by Executive Music Group.
Temper Temper is the fourth studio album by Welsh heavy metal band Bullet for My Valentine. The album was released on 8 February 2013 in Australia, and 11 February 2013 worldwide under RCA Records, their first under the label. The album was once again produced by Don Gilmore, who worked on the group's last album, 2010's Fever, and was mixed by noted engineer Chris Lord-Alge. This would be the last album recorded with their full original lineup with longtime bassist Jason James before he departed from the band in February 2015.
Pure Comedy is the third studio album by American folk musician Josh Tillman under his pseudonym Father John Misty. Its release was announced on January 23, 2017. It was released on April 7, 2017 on Bella Union in the UK and Europe and on Sub Pop in the rest of the world. This is Tillman's third studio album since his departure from Fleet Foxes. It was produced by Josh Tillman in collaboration with Jonathan Wilson, sound engineer Trevor Spencer and composer/double-bassist Gavin Bryars.
"Automaton" is a song by English funk band Jamiroquai. It was released as the lead single from their eighth studio album, Automaton (2017), on 27 January 2017. The song peaked at number 36 in France, number 61 in Japan, number 65 in Scotland, and number 31 on the U.S. Billboard Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
"Cloud 9" is a song by English funk band Jamiroquai. It was released as the second single from their eighth studio album, Automaton, on 10 February 2017. The song peaked at number 19 in France, number 35 in Spain, and number 77 in Scotland.
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