Just in time for their 25th anniversary, the band is celebrating the release of their eighth album. It lives up to the high expectations - with songs that remain true to the typical funk-electro style while experimenting with futuristic sounds.
The band
The British band is one of the pioneers of the acid jazz movement and rose to fame in 1992 with their first single "When You Gonna Learn". "Virtual Insanity", their best-known song, established their international success. 25 years and 27 million albums sold later, Jay Kay is still the face of the band as a singer-songwriter with his unmistakable voice and his love of unusual hats.
The new album
In some compositions, the live band comes to the fore, from brass instruments to funky bass, making the listener nostalgic for the nineties Jamiroquai years. On other tracks, such as the cover song, the band experiments with extraterrestrial sounds that transport you into a sci-fi world, shaking your feet.
However, Jamiroquai's disco funk is by no means superficial. One reason for the long break is that Jay Kay has become the father of two daughters during this time. One discovers a new gentle modesty and thoughtfulness in his lyrics - an unexpected facet of the former party-animals. Kay sings about the danger that people today are increasingly neglecting the daily and simple pleasures in life. He comments critically on the influences of modern technology, but also deals with self-reflectionhidden behind a groovy rhythm - for example in the song
"Carla", which he wrote for his eldest daughter.
Verdict
Always fascinated by the future of the planet, Jamiroquai can't help but stay current. The band reinvents itself again with this album. At the same time, it's the classic Jamiroquai sound you want - and it's now even more danceable than on previous albums. You can recognize this playful approach again on "Automaton". Fans and newcomers alike will be infected by the funk groove.
Recommended tracks
"Automaton" - Futuristic and dreamy, the song takes you on a journey through several layers, from synth to electro-pop.
"Shake it On" - A disco song with a modern twist through its arpeggiated passages.
"Vitamin" - Playful acid jazz. Just the way you like Jamiroquai.
The video for "Automaton"
