We asked for it, we got word of it and now we are receiving it. Jamiroquai is officially back y'all, as they've officially released their latest single and video "Automaton." But, fair warning, this isn't the same Jamiroquai we've been accustomed to.
We say that because the single eschews the more organic, soulful funk sound that made them household names and replaces it with a more digitized sound. The sound, which reminds us of the experimental computer sounds found in music during the '80s, takes a bit of getting used to, especially in juxtaposition to the tenderness still evident in lead singer Jay Kay's voice. Still, the song is an interesting one and it has us anxious to hear the rest of the album. What else has us interested is the song's trippy video.
In a press release about the album, Jay Kay said, "The inspiration for Automaton is 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." The video for "Automaton" illustrates that perfectly. In it, we follow Jay Kay, who appears to be some kind of android experiencing the world for the first time. As he strolls the streets, beaches, subways and dwellings of a world that appears to be abandoned, he makes sure to dance and groove along the way — especially during the song's funky rap. He eventually discovers what used to be his signature headdress just as two drones arrive. What happens next is anyone's guess, but hopefully we won't have to wait too long to find out.
Automaton the album is set to arrive on March 31st and the single is available to buy digitally right now. Check out the video right here and hop below for a list of the group's upcoming international tour dates.
Jamiroquai Tour Dates:
03-28 Paris, France - La Selle Pleyel
03-31 London, England - Roundhouse
05-25 Tokyo, Japan - Tokyo International Forum
05-27-28 Seoul, South Korea - Seoul Jazz Festival
06-17 Athens, Greece - Release Athens Festival
07-09 Rotterdam, Netherlands - North Sea Jazz Festival
07-11 Florence, Italy - Visarno Arena
07-14 Pori, Finland - Pori Jazz
07-16 Aix-Les-Bains, France - Musilac
07-18 Locarno, Switzerland - Moon & Stars
07-22 Ostrava, Czech Republic - Colours of Ostrava
08-05 Zambujeira do Mar, Portugal - Sudoeste
08-12 Cornwall, England - Boardmasters
