Automatic at Velvet Underground 2025-09-21T19:00:00
Automatic is the trio of Izzy Glaudini (synths, lead vocals), Lola Dompé (drums, vocals) and Halle Saxon (bass, vocals).
Automatic’s second album Excess rides the imaginary edge where the ‘70s underground met the corporate culture of the ‘80s – or, as the band puts it, “That fleeting moment when what was once cool quickly turned and became mainstream, all for the sake of consumerism.” Using this point in time as a lens through which to view the present moment, Excess takes aim at corporate culture and extravagance.
The overarching themes of alienation and escapism emerged as Automatic put Excess together, taking writing retreats to flesh out the new songs before decamping to the studio for sprint recording sessions with producer Joo Joo Ashworth (Sasami, FROTH).
On “New Beginning” – inspired by the Swedish sci-fi film Aniara – they reject the false hope of leaving behind a scorched planet and searching for “a better place,” at a moment when the ultra-rich are eyeing manned space travel: “In the service of desire / We will travel far away.” The song and accompanying video imagine the “nihilism and loneliness” of attempting to escape the planet once unchecked consumerism has reached its logical outcome.