LemonMelon
More 5G Than Man
Cori briefly brought up her music in Random a few weeks ago, but I've been anticipating this woman's debut record, The ArchAndroid, for even longer. Thanks to Sharon Jones and Erykah Badu, 2010 has not been without terrific soul music, but Monae's futuristic, fun, funky spin on the genre sounds without contemporary right now, and I think it may be a new classic.
The critics back me up on this (metacritic score of 90):
Turn It Up: Album review: Janelle Monae, 'The ArchAndroid'
Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid | URB.COM
The ArchAndroid | Music | EW.com
Janelle Monáe: The ArchAndroid < PopMatters
Janelle Monáe, 'The ArchAndroid' (Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy) | Spin Magazine Online
Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Janelle Monáe: The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe: The ArchAndroid (Bad Boy/Wondaland Arts Society; 2010) | Record Reviews @ Cokemachineglow.com
And so on. The point is, this album is beloved, and not merely because it's ambitious; there is so much heart and soul in her voice, so much joy in the music and life in the lyrics that you can't help but be swept up with it. Its production draws influence from Late Registration, Stankonia and other modern hip-hop classics, but it never ties itself to one genre. And you know what's really amazing? The album flows immaculately. I don't know how she did it, but it all feels unified and lived-in.
Samples:
YouTube - Janelle Monáe - Tightrope ft. Big Boi [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
YouTube - Janelle Monae - Locked Inside
YouTube - Janelle Monáe - "Oh, Maker"
I just can't get over the fact that this is her debut. Monae has an incredible career ahead of her if this album is any indication.
The critics back me up on this (metacritic score of 90):
Turn It Up: Album review: Janelle Monae, 'The ArchAndroid'
Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid | URB.COM
The ArchAndroid | Music | EW.com
Janelle Monáe: The ArchAndroid < PopMatters
Janelle Monáe, 'The ArchAndroid' (Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy) | Spin Magazine Online
Pitchfork: Album Reviews: Janelle Monáe: The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe: The ArchAndroid (Bad Boy/Wondaland Arts Society; 2010) | Record Reviews @ Cokemachineglow.com
And so on. The point is, this album is beloved, and not merely because it's ambitious; there is so much heart and soul in her voice, so much joy in the music and life in the lyrics that you can't help but be swept up with it. Its production draws influence from Late Registration, Stankonia and other modern hip-hop classics, but it never ties itself to one genre. And you know what's really amazing? The album flows immaculately. I don't know how she did it, but it all feels unified and lived-in.
Samples:
YouTube - Janelle Monáe - Tightrope ft. Big Boi [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
YouTube - Janelle Monae - Locked Inside
YouTube - Janelle Monáe - "Oh, Maker"
I just can't get over the fact that this is her debut. Monae has an incredible career ahead of her if this album is any indication.