Automaton
by Jamiroquai
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 44
  3. Negative: 4 out of 44
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  1. fandangouk
    Apr 1, 2017
    10
    I wouldn't class myself as a long standing Jamiroquai fan, and I didn't have a good time with their last album, but on the strength of the lead single Automaton and Cloud 9 I decided to give it a listen. As each track played I kept waiting for the quality to dip, but it just kept coming. Some tracks obviously appeal to my tastes more than others, but there's no denying the inventivenessI wouldn't class myself as a long standing Jamiroquai fan, and I didn't have a good time with their last album, but on the strength of the lead single Automaton and Cloud 9 I decided to give it a listen. As each track played I kept waiting for the quality to dip, but it just kept coming. Some tracks obviously appeal to my tastes more than others, but there's no denying the inventiveness and solid quality of the whole album. Haven't been this impressed since La Roux's debut. Simply brilliant.… Expand
  2. J-Tag
    Mar 31, 2017
    9
    A great album for first time listeners, a good album for long-time fans. The two singles, "Automaton" and "Cloud 9" are definite highlights. "Automaton" is Jamiroquai at their innovative best – a lead single curveball that sounds equal parts Jamiroquai and Daft Punk (a lazy comparison I've read many times, but probably the best way to describe it to the masses). On the flipside, "Cloud 9"A great album for first time listeners, a good album for long-time fans. The two singles, "Automaton" and "Cloud 9" are definite highlights. "Automaton" is Jamiroquai at their innovative best – a lead single curveball that sounds equal parts Jamiroquai and Daft Punk (a lazy comparison I've read many times, but probably the best way to describe it to the masses). On the flipside, "Cloud 9" is Jay Kay at his hedonistic best, showing everyone who's ever tried to make a smooth funk song just how it's done.

    Even though Jay has described this album as "All killer no filler", there are a couple of okay songs in "Hot Property" and "Nights Out In The Jungle", but they fit in well with the overall atmosphere of the album, so I can see why they were included. However, the highs far outweigh the lows. "Something About You" is a gorgeous, sun-tinged track that will please newcomers and Jami-veterans alike, whilst "Dr Buzz" and "Vitamin" will satisfy the first three album purists due to their retro feel.

    Overall, great album from a band that never disappoints – a truly admirable achievement considering it has been SEVEN years since the last record. It is sure to be my most played album this summer, and I'm sure I won't be the only one. Here's to the hoping the next album doesn't take another seven years.    … Expand
  3. shinekta
    Apr 2, 2017
    9
    Знаком с Jamiroquai не очень давно, но точно могу сказать, что в новом альбоме есть нечто от предыдущих работ. Сочетание синтезатора и бас гитары в ритме фанка, идеально попадающий в такт песни вокал Кея, каденционное исполнение, переходящее в ненавязчивую танцевальную мелодию. Всё лучшее из творчества группы перенеслось в Automaton. При этом футуристический мотив не позволяет назватьЗнаком с Jamiroquai не очень давно, но точно могу сказать, что в новом альбоме есть нечто от предыдущих работ. Сочетание синтезатора и бас гитары в ритме фанка, идеально попадающий в такт песни вокал Кея, каденционное исполнение, переходящее в ненавязчивую танцевальную мелодию. Всё лучшее из творчества группы перенеслось в Automaton. При этом футуристический мотив не позволяет назвать новые песни идентичными предыдущим.
    Джейсон и его группа отлично постарались, 7 лет для них не прошли даром. Для меня это твёрдая девятка.    … Expand
  4. reflexreaction
    Apr 1, 2017
    3
    Disappointing, really only two hits on the album (Automation & Cloud 9), and to be honest, both of those aren't long term top tracks. The album may be a grower, but it hasn't grown on me yet. It's consistently average and doesn't do enough exciting stuff to warrant a purchase, unfortunately.
  5. alexandrefenot
    Apr 26, 2017
    0
    awful from the beginning till the end . Jamriquai lost his mojo . where is the groove , he replaced his band with a dj booth and it doesnt sound good at all.
  6. Majestic
    Apr 2, 2017
    8
    I'm not much for conveying a subjective experience about the content of the album. I could say I find hot property a dud, but another person might find that the best song on the album.

    What I can say is that from a technical standpoint the album is mastered exquisitely. No loudness, lots of small details, tight bass and breathing tracks that offer a ton of dynamics. Any higher-end sound    I'm not much for conveying a subjective experience about the content of the album. I could say I find hot property a dud, but another person might find that the best song on the album.

    What I can say is that from a technical standpoint the album is mastered exquisitely. No loudness, lots of small details, tight bass and breathing tracks that offer a ton of dynamics. Any higher-end sound system is going to make this album sound that much better. Been a long time that I heard an album sound this good. Could there be an end to the loudness wars finally?    … Expand
  7. rferdinand
    Jul 26, 2017
    8
    A well deserved eight for this album, which is groovy and has very good singles, Automaton even pleases my 9 months old daughter. For real fans this must have been worth the long waiting time.
  8. JamiroquaiFann
    Aug 18, 2018
    10
    Best album of 2017. It’s so good to see jamiroquai at his best in a long time..
  9. RedHotJosh
    Apr 16, 2020
    10
    Best album in 20 years!! My favorites are Shake it On, Something about you, and Carla!! If you got a good sound system, blast these songs!!

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Mixmag
    May 11, 2017
    70
    ‘Superfresh’ is less than the sum of its disco parts, though, while the less said about ‘Hot Property’ the better. But it picks up with ‘Something About You’ and ‘Summer Girl’, while ‘Carla’ is an electro-funk classic.
    Read full review
  2. AllMusic
    Apr 25, 2017
    70
    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.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    Apr 20, 2017
    80
    They may not find new listeners after a seven-year hiatus, but Automaton by Jamiroquai is a strong return and experimental contribution to popular music from a band too often identified solely for one song and its striking video.
    Read full review
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