Art in the Age of Automation

Art in the Age of Automation marks a significant return to form for Portico Quartet, following their brief stint as simply 'Portico'. Reclaiming their name and their signature hang drum sound, the album serves as a bridge between their acoustic jazz roots and their fascination with electronic production. Recorded with a focus on precision and atmosphere, the album draws heavily from the minimalism of Steve Reich and the nocturnal electronics of the UK bass scene. Critics, including those at AllMusic, noted the album's successful synthesis of human performance and machine-like repetition, praising its cinematic scope and technical execution. It stands as a centerpiece of the 2010s nu-jazz movement, blending spiritual jazz sensibilities with the crisp, clean aesthetics of modern downtempo. The record is defined by its interlocking rhythmic patterns and the soaring, often mournful saxophone of Jack Wyllie, creating a sound that is uniquely Portico Quartet: precise, evocative, and deeply atmospheric.