Jay Kay says he is revisiting Jamiroquai’s ‘Virtual Insanity’ while planning a new album with Thundercat

Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay revisited the 30-year milestone of “Virtual Insanity” and talked about how the era’s look and sound are informing a forthcoming project, in remarks published by Billboard on Aug. 27, 2026. Kay discussed the enduring footprint of the song’s music video, calling attention to the work involved in recreating what he described as one of the most recognizable video moments in pop music history.

In the interview, Kay said he plans to take “Virtual Insanity” back into the studio with a new album framed as “back to the old school.” He also addressed creative collaboration on the album, describing Thundercat as a key participant, and the project’s concept of reworking or recreating elements that originally helped define the band’s mainstream breakthrough.

Kay’s comments also touched on the physical artifacts and stagecraft from the “Virtual Insanity” visual, including the “hat” from the video. He said he knows where the hat ended up, describing the item as part of the story that has continued to circulate with the song’s legacy over three decades.

Beyond the nostalgia, Kay positioned the effort as an intentional artistic production choice rather than a mere anniversary rehash. He described the undertaking as the work of recreating the iconic “Virtual Insanity” clip, emphasizing the practical and creative decisions needed to translate the original aesthetic into a new album era.

The interview did not outline a release date or provide a full track list for the new album in the published summary, and it did not describe additional collaborators beyond Thundercat. The next concrete steps for fans and industry observers will depend on further announcements tied to recording completion, single releases, and distribution plans.

For the broader culture and music market, “Virtual Insanity” remains a reference point for how major labels and MTV-era production values can continue to shape modern audience expectations. Kay’s decision to center a new album campaign around a specific, widely recognized visual moment underscores how music marketing and video presentation remain intertwined, even as streaming has reshaped listening patterns.