So I went to see my favourite band on Friday, which also happened to be my 40th birthday (thank you, send money not gifts) and the release date of their 8th album. I've been asked a few times for my opinion on the album so I figured I'd do a track by track account.
Shake It On:
"Dear fans, we've moved on. It's time to join us or jump out!"
This song is the absolute perfect way to open this album. It's an indicator of the musical direction the album is going to take, but without laying it on too thick like Automaton. They're taking you into the electro groove gently, but with energy. I heard the whole thing live first and it's a banging opening song for a gig. I get more of the guitar and strings in the album version that I couldn't catch when that wall of gorgeous sound hits you live.
Automaton:
When I first heard it, I was happy because it didn't sound as bad as I thought it was going to be. But now I've heard it enough to know that I'm not keen. It's an experiment, like Feels Just Like It Should, but it doesn't work for me. The only bit I like is the bridge. That's funky as hell and I could groove to a whole song of that guitar! And it amuses me that the whole album is meant to be based upon the premise of this song and the rise of the machines etc, but this is really the only song on the album that tackles this subject! The rest of it is songs about girls and grooving! Where's the continuity?!
Cloud 9:
Utterly brilliant. So sweet. Typical Jay Kay fluff lyrics but I like what it means. It's another way of saying he's (we've, they've) moved on, but in the form of a love song.
Superfresh:
Now my normal rule is that track two is the killer track and I'll love the whole album, but I guess you can't follow a funky number like Shake It On with Superfresh. I fucking love this song!! I could shake my backside to this all day. Heard it live first and that was so awesome, but blasting out the album version in my car has been a revelation. So funky. Strings. Bass. Guitar. Singing. Backing. Percussion. All perfect! I don't even care what it's about, though the lyrics to me are kind of similar to the vibe of Mr Moon. Should be longer.
Hot Property:
It's actually a nice follow on from Superfresh, so in that sense I like it because it hits you with that solid beat and bass line before it revs up. Nice disco electro funk. I really like the low bass and keyboard in the middle too, yes it does sound like 'You Should Be Dancing' but I think that's a good thing. I get the feeling from the lyrics and bit of Russian that this is some kind of in joke between Jay and Maria. I know he talks in an interview about some female boss stuff, but I think this is him talking about her. She's the boss bitch. And he's cool with that. 😊
Something About You:
This is what I call a 'Frankenstein song', in that I think this was probably bits of different songs and ideas that have been stuck together. Some bands, such as my other love Crowded House, do this often with great results. This song is not a good example. It mostly sounds like other songs and I don't think a song should sound like it's been thrown together badly. The 'candy crush' lyric sticks out every time I hear it so that's dated. The only piece I enjoy is the last minute. Otherwise I believe it belongs on the album because it fits with the sound.
Summer Girl:
Like a lot of the songs on this album, Jay's preoccupation with trying to be a 21st century Roxy Music is apparent, but this one makes it so obvious. Yes fans will like it because it's floaty and summery. It's just a bit 'throwaway' for me. Oooh, a song about a pretty girl and a fling in summer? How novel. That's never been done before! (Sarcasm). Rhyming Limoncello with fellow is typical Jay cringe (though it will never be as bad as the whole of Cosmic Girl!). I can just imagine the band playing this on a rich guy's yacht in Italy while a bunch of models do that awkward side step dance they all do because they can't dance in those heels (and none of them are there for their dancing skills!). Again, not filler but not the best track on the album. Just nice.
Nights Out In The Jungle:
At the first hearing, I think: "Oh yes! Take me on a dirty adventure, boys, and don't spare the bass lines!" Then I hear the 'monkey' noises and the jungle style percussion, and my heart sinks. Then eventually (!) Jay starts doing that rap singing nonsense and I'm out. Sorry, but no. After three listens it dawns on me that this is some pastiche of Rapture by Blondie, and that annoys me more than the monkey noises. Should've been an instrumental.
Dr Buzz:
Heard this live first. It's not that it bores me musically, more that I've heard it before and probably from better Jazz Funk artists. Plus a song about smoking weed so the world doesn't seem so shit doesn't really do it for me. Jamiroquai are better at social commentary than this. Percussion is good.
We Can Do It:
Hated it the first time I heard the sample. Hate the whole song. It sounds like Jay is struggling to sing near the top of his register and it doesn't go anywhere. If anyone tried to sing this to me as some sort of seduction technique, I'd leave the room. The only song I can accuse of being real filler. It will always, always get skipped.
Vitamin:
Oh God, it's beautiful. It's zippy and light, especially after an album of heavy bass. Brings a smile to my face. About as close to the original sound of the first two albums that old school fans beg for. I also like the fact that he pronounces vitamin two different ways. The sax solo I can take or leave. Strings and backing vocals are sublime. Beautiful bass groove. Love it.
Carla:
When it starts, the keyboard reminds me of something Stevie Wonder would enjoy playing. I can imagine Jay had been writing this song in his head for months. So personal and pure. When he sings her name and elongates it, I am convinced by his love for her. Such a lovely way to end the standard version of the album. The live version was great, pretty similar to the album version.
Now I've listened around 8 times, in all, I think this is a great album. So much better in terms of execution and production than Rock Dust Light Star, it flows and there are some proper banging Jamiroquai tunes on it. I am especially happy with Shake It On and Superfresh. Other songs will take many more listens to appreciate (except We Can Do It, that can go fuck itself). Was it worth the wait? I would say so, yes. We've all moved on, we all needed that time to change and grow otherwise they, the band, and we, the fans, wouldn't have evolved.
Ez
Xx
