Automaton (album) explained

Automaton
Type:studio
Artist:Jamiroquai
Cover:Jamiroquaiautomaton.png
Released:31 March 2017
Recorded:2015–2016
Length:57:07
Label:Virgin EMI
Prev Title:Rock Dust Light Star
Prev Year:2010

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 two in Switzerland, number three in France and number four in the UK.

Background

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".[1]

Reception

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.

In his review for AllMusic, Matt Collar concluded: "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."

Although not released as a single, "Shake it On" broke into the Official French Singles Chart, peaking at number 154.[2]

Promotion

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".[3]

Singles

On 27 January 2017, Jamiroquai released online a video version of the title track as the album's lead single.[1] [4]

On 10 February 2017, Jamiroquai released an audio version of the track "Cloud 9",[5] 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.[6]

In December 2017, a fourth single, "Summer Girl", was released.[7] It was followed by "Nights Out in the Jungle" in January 2018.[8]

Tour

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,[9] Italy, Finland, France, Switzerland and Czech Republic.[10]

On 1 February 2017, Jamiroquai announced a new show: on 9 August 2017 at Smukfest, Skanderborg, Denmark.[11]

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.[12] [13]

Two new band members joined at the time of the tour: Nate Williams on guitar and keyboards, and Howard Whiddett on Ableton Live.[14]

Jamiroquai also announced they would take part on 12 August 2017 in the Boardmasters Festival, Newquay, Cornwall, United Kingdom.

Personnel

Credits adapted from liner notes.[15]

Charts

Year-end charts

Chart (2017)Position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[18] 200
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[19] 140
French Albums (SNEP)[20] 188
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] 64

Notes and References

  1. Kaufman. Gil. Jamiroquai Drops 'Automaton' Video, Album Due March 31. 27 January 2017. Billboard. 27 January 2017. 27 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170127153342/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/7669848/jamiroquai-drops-automaton-video-album-due-march-31. live.
  2. Web site: Lescharts.com - Jamiroquai - Shake It on . 5 August 2017 . 9 November 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171109113510/http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Jamiroquai&titel=Shake+It+On&cat=s . live .
  3. Web site: Automaton Transmission: Worldwide . 25 January 2017 . . 26 January 2017 . 6 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906052935/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJamiroquaiOfficial%2Fphotos%2Fa.417997351117.193684.6220201117%2F10154992673091118%2F%3Ftype%3D3%26theater . live .
  4. News: Welsh. April Clare. Listen to Jamiroquai's Daft Punk-inspired new single 'Automaton'. 27 January 2017. Fact. 27 January 2017. 27 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170127120322/http://www.factmag.com/2017/01/27/jamiroquai-automaton-single/. live.
  5. News: Monroe. Jazz. Listen to Jamiroquai's New Song "Cloud 9". 11 February 2017. Pitchfork. 10 February 2017. 10 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170210142004/http://pitchfork.com/news/71517-listen-to-jamiroquais-new-song-cloud-9/. live.
  6. News: Press. Party. Brand new single 'Superfresh'. 5 August 2017. PressParty. 29 June 2017. 6 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170806020228/http://www.pressparty.com/pg/newsdesk/purplepr/view/168334/. live.
  7. News: Lopez. Omayra. Jamiroquai - New Single/Video for 'Summer Girl'. 5 January 2018. AltWire. 8 December 2017. 6 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180106072906/https://www.altwire.net/2017/12/08/jamiroquai-new-single-video-for-summer-girl/. live.
  8. Web site: Video: Jamiroquai - 'Nights Out in the Jungle'. stagedoor.fm. 5 January 2018. 5 January 2018. 6 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180106085218/http://stagedoor.fm/2018/01/05/video-jamiroquai-nights-out-in-the-jungle/. live.
  9. Web site: Eerste namen North Sea Jazz Festival 2017 bekend . 2017 . maxazine.nl . 26 January 2017 . 18 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170118145749/http://www.maxazine.nl/2017/01/17/eerste-namen-northsea-jazz-festival-2017-bekend/ . live .
  10. Web site: Official Jamiroquai Communication — New Live Appearances Announced for 2017 . 17 January 2017 . . 26 January 2017 . 6 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906052936/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJamiroquaiOfficial%2Fphotos%2Fa.417997351117.193684.6220201117%2F10154962729191118%2F%3Ftype%3D3 . live .
  11. Web site: Automaton Communication: Denmark . 1 February 2017 . . 4 February 2017 . 6 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906052939/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJamiroquaiOfficial%2Fphotos%2Fa.417997351117.193684.6220201117%2F10155013293606118%2F%3Ftype%3D3 . live .
  12. Web site: Automaton Communication: United Kingdgo; France . 27 January 2017 . . 4 February 2017 . 6 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906052945/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJamiroquaiOfficial%2Fphotos%2Fa.417997351117.193684.6220201117%2F10154996570001118%2F%3Ftype%3D3%26theater . live .
  13. Web site: Automaton Communication: France // UK (sold out) . 3 February 2017 . . 4 February 2017 . 6 September 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210906052947/https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FJamiroquaiOfficial%2Fphotos%2Fa.417997351117.193684.6220201117%2F10155019448006118%2F%3Ftype%3D3%26theater . live .
  14. Web site: Meet our talented new band members @natewilliams on keys & guitars and @howard.whiddett our ableton live whiz, welcome aboard chaps! :) #JamiroquaiLive2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20220728093446/https://www.jamiroquai.com/news;news/id/231. 28 July 2022. Jamiroquai.com . 28 July 2022.
  15. Automaton. Jamiroquai. Virgin EMI. 2017. 00602557321234. liner notes.
  16. Web site: Sola Akingbola . Sola Akingbola . 30 March 2017 . 12 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170312051335/http://www.solaakingbola.com/ . live .
  17. Web site: Listen to "Interview with Jay Kay from Jamiroquai" posted by Zane Lowe on Apple Music . Itunes.apple.com . 30 January 2017 . 30 March 2017 . 12 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170312065601/https://itunes.apple.com/us/post/idsa.f2e3be80-e715-11e6-b5a7-d7a7e60c0bdb . live .
  18. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2017 – Albums. Ultratop. 13 January 2018. 22 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053748/http://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=2017&cat=a. live.
  19. Web site: Rapports Annuels 2017 – Albums. Ultratop. 13 January 2018. 22 December 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053722/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2017&cat=a. live.
  20. Web site: Top de l'année Top Albums 2017. SNEP. fr. 1 October 2021.
  21. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2017 – hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. 31 December 2017. 8 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180208120346/https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2017. live.

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