Japanese Television

Informed by UFO encounters, ritualism, robots, Northern Soul, and nuclear weapons, space-surf-psych-rock quartet Japanese Television announce their second album ‘Automata Exotica’, set for release on 22nd March 2024 by Tip Top Recordings. A combination of cyclical, mechanical rhythms, and heavy bass, ‘Automata Exotica’ is louder, tighter, bolder and rawer than anything Japanese Television have done before.

‘Automata Exotica’ was recorded live to tape in three electric all-night sessions in a windowless room in Homerton by Kristian Bell of The Wytches. “We wanted to make a tighter, more compact record”, says guitarist Tim Jones. “We whittled the songs down to be as lean as possible. All the tracks are first or second takes, all of us recorded live playing together, with limited overdubs. No fat, just the energy captured”.

Out today, the fuzzed out lead single ‘Tabadaboum’ is titled as a made-up French onomatopoeia, describing the sound of the main ri. Keyboardist Ian Thorn says “The song was the last to be recorded in the session and we were trying to get that ‘end of a gig’ energy into the track. The layered outro (using a wah-wah pedal that was owned by bassist Eléa’s dad) was inspired by a week touring with GOAT and their duelling guitarists”.

‘Automata Exotica’ follows Japanese Television’s 2022 debut ‘Space Fruit Vineyard’, a record which caught the support of BBC 6 Music (where they’ve had over 100 spot plays and recorded two sessions for Marc Riley), NME, So Young, Clash, DIY, Arts Desk, Gigwise, Radio X and more. A thrilling live proposition, they are currently on a UK tour that culminates with a headline slot at Norwich Psych Fest on 18th November. More live and festival dates are set to be announced for 2024.

“On a dierent orbit from everything else’’ Steve Lamacq, BBC 6 Music “Absolutely brilliant” Marc Riley, BBC 6 Music

“Lives up to its cosmic-beachy billing” NME

“An o-piste dream...a wild phenomenon” Clash

“Sought after psych-seekers” So Young

“Trippy, witty, surf laden” God Is In The TV

“GOAT Loves You” GOAT

“Groovy and menacing, always on the attack” DIY Mag

‘Automata Exotica’ is set for release on 22nd March 2024 on LP and digital formats.