Kicking off with footage of an atomic bomb is one hell of a way to signal your return to music after half a decade off, and Jamiroquai are no doubt hoping their previously-teased but now-unveiled new record will blow up rather than bomb.
The shiny new video for title track ‘Automaton’ serves as the announcement today of the band’s eighth record, set for an Aussie release on March 31 through EMI Music Australia.
After the first sci-fi strains have hit, ‘Automaton’ takes a sharp left turn into some slightly menacing, off-kilter territory, settling back into more of a groove only when the chorus hits. It then runs a similarly cosmic course through the galaxies of funk and disco for a full five minutes, eventually fading out like any great Jamiroquai jam should.
Frontman Jay Kay has revealed what the album is about, but no surprises here for guessing that the effect of the encroaching technologies of virtual reality and artificial intelligence is the overriding theme.
“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. “
You can pre-order the new record now and cop the first single ‘Automaton’ instantly – or give the expectedly-stylish new clip a spin below.
