The ArchAndroid

What a breath of fresh air. Maybe I should complain about the composition of this list more often. This is the one Janelle Monae album I haven't heard. Our first album from the last decade, and from this century! A concept album based on Metropolis...and it's a debut album. Immediately, I'm struck by how eclectic this is, spanning so many different genres and transitioning between them so effortlessly. This feels monumental. I love so many songs here, and a very special shout-out to "Cold War," which Santoma unknowingly SAMPLED (via Clams Casino) on his/my first ever track "Go to Town." This is just fantastic all the way through. I'm going to retroactively add it to my Top Albums of 2010 list. [Side note: this was nominated for a Grammy but lost to Usher's Raymond v. Raymond. Yet more proof the Grammys are wet garbage.] Janelle, if you're reading this, I just watched Antebellum last night--the movie wasn't good, but you're great. I was already a big fan of you, but this seals the deal. Let's see if Bowie can top this. Favorite songs: Cold War, Dance or Die, Mushrooms & Roses, Neon Valley Street, Come Alive, Faster, Wondaland. Album art: The framing and text and everything is very much a product of the early '10s, but I love the picture of Monae and the golden metropolis as her crown. Talk about a chrome dome. 5/5

This is crazy good. I knew Janelle was talented, but this album really blew me away at how good, cohesive, and yet varied it is. Each song is amazing and there are no duds.

After the Overture, this album starts and just keeps going. Great energy, vocals, big band mixed with some synth/electronic that give a bit of a Wizard of Oz vibe. Really liked this, could see this being an excellent live performance.

Truly, the greatest tragedy here is that this album was generated for me on Friday, and for an entire weekend I was cursed with the knowledge of how amazing this album is; and yet anybody who happened across my stats page would pity me for either never having experienced it, or for not recognizing it as a masterpiece. At last, Monday has come, and my anxiety can finally be dispelled.

Wow! What was this? Is it hip-hop? Is it Enya? Is Santana playing guitar in the background? No idea, but it was awesome. Jumping from catchy dance beats to sweeping string-led anthems with Star Trek 60s vibes, I could never anticipate what was coming next. Rachmaninoff-style classical? Check. Movie soundtrack vibes (LOTR, anyone?). Check. Bass-infused jazz rifts? Check. Gap shopping trip background? Check. The illegitimate love child of Lauren Hill and The Bee Gees (Locked Inside - wow!)? Check. Going back to listen to it again, right now.

Funny coincidence - yesterday was the first time I'd ever heard of Janelle Monae. They had her singing in the street out of one of those US morning TV shows. The TV was on mute so all I could see was Janelle's Michael Jackson ripoff outfit and a bunch of never-been-kissed type girls waving signs in the crowd. I rolled my eyes, assuming she was some kind of X Factor singer or some other yank shit. Then today, THIS is the album. Buuuuuuuut.... it's really fucking good? I wasn't expecting that at all. The Michael Jackson influence is pretty clear musically, maybe a bit of Jamiroquai-ish jam in there too, and I guess it's shouldn't be a surprise that an album called "ArchAndroid" has a bunch of electric sheep references. This is what modern pop music should sound like, not the lowbrow shit filling the top 50. What a shame - this should be way better known. It has vision, ambition, variety and it's incredibly well written. I actually listened to it twice - this for an album over an hour long, in a genre I don't usually like. That's saying something. I think it even cured my hangover. Or maybe that was the codeine, not sure. Either way this is a fucking 5/5.

I was starting to get tired of this challenge, thinking I was getting burnt out, because for two weeks almost all my scores were 2s or 3s….and then this came up, and within a couple seconds I realized, no, all that was really mediocre music. Because this was INCREDIBLE. Always enjoyed Monae as an iconic figure, the look, the music videos, the acting. Shamefully never listened to this in whole, even though I’ve had 15 years to do so (Jesus Christ where does the time go). WOW. Every song is a lovely delight, I never knew exactly where it was going, and they’re all so singular. I cannot wait to listen to this over and over again!

this album earns its grand presentation for sureee— the songs are just so good and somehow they all feel connected even as they pull from such disparate influences. janelle monae’s singular presence acts as the uniting force between these separate ideas,, like genuinely i don’t think anyone else could pull this album off. and also she’s a robot which is sooo awesome

Oh my god. From the first Overture I immediately thought, "This is beautiful." I was worried to have high expectations so early; little did I know that the rest of the album would exceed any expectations I had set up. Janelle Monae has an amazingly beautiful voice, and the album is simply electric. She mixes genres as styles flawlessly intermingle with one another. The energy burns you from the inside and doesn't give you a break. Production is top notch. What is there to criticize about this album? It feels like a real work of art.

This one was nowhere on my radar. Awesome album. Need to listen to more Janelle Monáe.

There's some interesting performances and production, but that couldn't save this album from being incredibly dull and boring to me. The kind of music that you hear in Target. Not for me.

Wow. I'd definitely heard of Janelle Monáe and knew she had already made quite a mark on the music front when I started hearing about her as an actress (and I saw her in a recent movie; she is excellent on that front, too!), but I'd not listened to her music before. This album is superb. What a variety and all composed, arranged, performed, and recorded so well. Her voice is spectacular. So much thought behind these tracks. Such precision and energy yet also infused with passion. I'll be sure to listen to more of her work. Stupendous!

Top-tier, cohesive album.

Loved it

I Love all stuff like this, soul and electric THAT'S FIRE!!

I own this one!! :) I have a nostaglic attachment to this album, so I'm going to be a bit biased. I feel like the songs have a lot of variety to them, which makes it a fun album to listen through all the way.

THE FUCKIN BESSSSST. Janelle Monae does not miss on this album. A beautiful voice and wonderful, amazing songs. An honest treat to listen to.

Frantic, mad in scope. I'm not sure one listen does it justice.

Phineas and Ferb music if they had the budget of seven trillion golden doubloons. Holy shit. I've known of this album's existence for less than 24 hours and I can safely say that this is my favorite R&B album of all time. I didn't even know the girl from Glass Onion was a singer. Uhh five outta five!

I can't believe how different each track is on this album! It's a fantastic sound, with catchy songs and a consistent musical theme. It's a very eclectic group of songs, spanning so many different genres and transitioning between them so effortlessly. 'Locked Inside' is a funky sounding track. 'Sir Greendown' is more relaxed and psychedelic whereas 'Cold War' starts off and you're wondering where it's going to go, and it ends up being a dance track. 'Tightrope' goes back to funky. These four songs all come in succession! 'Come Alive' is my favourite here. I can only describe it as a kind of rock and roll burlesque sound which really shows off vocal Janelle's vocals. She hits and holds a high note at the end of this track for a good twenty seconds before ending it with a great rock sounding "Ow!" 'Wondaland' is a sweet and sparkly pop song with a catchy chorus and the final one 'BaBopByeYa' sounds almost like a modern James Bond track. This album keeps you guessing what's coming next with everything sounding so different genre wise, yet sounding so similar and fitting together so well.

Never heard Jonelle before. Loved this album. So many different genres covered

ArchAndroid is an absolutely belting album with a mixture of every genre you could possibly think of: there are elements of soul, funk, jazz, hip-hop, RnB, synth pop and goodness knows what else. She also has a real ear for a melody. The long running time and slightly niche sci-fi concept could make this a bit inaccessible, but it's really not. You can easily enjoy this album simply for the catchy hooks and danceable grooves if that's your bag. Awesome!

This album was phenomenal. Her voice is amazing, the amount of genres is incredible, the album is dramatic and well sequenced. Great listen and an easy classic to throw on repeat. 5/5

Probably the most Work Of Art album I've been assigned so far. Absolutely incredible, never boring, fuckin' cool.

“We’re all virgins to the joys of loving without fear” What an absolute delight to listen to. Melodic and rhythmic, high energy through the fast and slow songs. I feel like this hit the perfect balance of lead vocals / percussion / synth and pads / other rhythm and vocals. It was long but thoughtfully made, with great transitions and song order, awesome choice of samples, and most importantly just a bunch of groovin songs. The vocal effects were a bit distracting once or twice, but I actually liked those moments in the same way I like the non-scary moments in a horror movie. They’re necessary for the scary moments (great songs in the album) to have full effect. 10/10

Beautiful voice and what a unique concept album. It really showcased her range as an artist, blending genres together. The production is so cinematic and takes into the world she was trying to create with this album. Especially the last song, it sounds like a score. It’s nice to get some more albums on this list from this past decade!

Finally an artist I had never listened to blew me away.

Truly Janelle's best album: conceptual, explosive, erratic, fun, and overall just an enchanting and captivating album.

Nothing sounded the same but it did feel like a cohesive piece. Really amazed by it, maybe they weren't all winners but overall 5 stars

this shit is the future

My favourite discovery so far. I only knew them from their singles. This album as a whole is such a trip. Donna Summer, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Leonard Bernstein, Pink Floyd. They’re all in there but this is a complete original too. Big 5 from me

WOWWW this is so good idk how i havent heard of this album or any of the songs before. Literally fucking amazing, feels very new and fresh and unique. I think the slower songs in the second half are weaker, but theyre not bad. Just not nearly as good as the first half

Started off strong with an odd overture which is uncommon for a 2010 album but with futuristic sounds which fits the album. Where is suite 1? Not what I expected, I did not expect her to rap. Song 2 is a banger. Song 3 blends well with 2 at the start. This is the first album that seems like an album, not just a collection of songs. song 4 Funky jackson drums, catchy and continuation of the story. song 5 change of pace, cool mix of classical medieval style callbacks in the lyrics in a song/album about android/human lovers. song 6 - starts slow and then picks up but again a change from last song. song 7 - fits in with the album theme but also about herself/music great double/triple meaning. song 8 - big boi banger, great continuation / other side of previous track. "You gotta keep your balance Or you fall into the gap It's a challenge but I manage Cause I'm cautious with the strap" Great high and low vocals while singing about highs and lows. song 9 - what is she singing? https://genius.com/Janelle-monae-neon-gumbo-lyrics fits in with the album but bit too much for me in the middle of an album should be an outro to a song not a song in itself song 10 - yet another style. Cool how it could be about either cyborg or human to either "maker". another style on the outro of the song. song 11 - harder style. big juxtaposition to the last. Fits in with her several mentions of schizo in this song and the whole album. vocals are wild, wonder how this is live. song 12 - sex and drugs very psychedelic. A more modern sounding lucy/strawberry style beatles song as in the distorted vocals and druggy feel. song 13 - another example of how this album is meant to be listened to with the album liner / internet with you but works also on its own. song 14 - another good blend from last song. She is a good rapper regardless of her singing and songwriting which is odd. "Confusion is a walrus" song 15 - what? so out of left field. Not mad about it. song 16 - dreamy/childlike very jarring with that previous song. Could be a tomtom club with the lyrics and less android references. song 17 - 57821 odd title, apparently a android reg number. "magical" sound and another blue reference. song 18 - "Love is such a novelty A rarely painted masterpiece A place few people go or ever know" very mellow/serene song, very zen great lyrics, flows very well song 19 - very orchestral/theatrical, odd bit of spanish. lyrics call out music and movie as ways of describing their love which is very cool, very good closer. https://genius.com/Janelle-monae-cd-booklet-annotated to tell the background story Metropolis is a good film, worth a watch also.

The music grabbed my attention right away! Really enjoying this album

Wow, never expected to enjoy this album so much. Didn’t know much about Janelle M - I had half listened / watched the “Dirty Computer” video, and thought it was pretty good. Excellent throughout I liked suite II a little more than III. Tightrope was the standout track, and I also really liked “Oh, Maker”. A lot of genre shifts were cool. Ilthought “Come Alive” could have been an X cover. 4.5 Stars, and rounding up.

Only knew Tightrope - this was way better than I expected. Really liked this album a lot - beautiful lush sounds throughout and some bangers. Only negative is it's a little long but I guess it's a double album?

The future was once an exciting place, a vision where anything that can be thought of as possible to achieve, looking backwards to understand how to move forward. As the ArchAndroid, Janelle Monae found a stellar way to fuse past, present and future together into a package that bursts with consistent energy and cohesion. The second and third part of a five part suite, heading into just this without digesting the first part feels like cheating yet this is a pretty good introduction to someone who may still very well turn culture on its head. Nearly fifteen years on, it's still electric. Favorites: Dance or Die, Faster, Locked Inside, Sir Greendown, Cold War, Tightrope, Oh, Maker, Come Alive (War of the Roses), Mushrooms & Roses, Make the Bus, Wondaland, Say You'll Go.

This was really great. I’d never heard of Janelle monáe and decided not to look her up when I heard anything. The first track made me wonder if it would be a classical album before the second track had her showing her skills as a rapper however she is not just a rapper and she’s a a singer too, with some songs like sir greendown sounding like lana del rey. There was also a lot of prince and outkast influence in there. This could have been shite and it absolutely wasn’t so will actually listen to more of Janelle’s releases after hearing this

Orchestra!?! I like the transition into a more modern rap/club song. Oh hey I know Tightrope. Come Alive is like an alt rock song. Oooh Clair de Lune appearance in Say You'll Go!

Favorite Track[s]: Sir Greendown Cold War Oh, Maker Make The Bus Wondaland 57821 Say You'll Go BaBopByeYa

I like: Locked Inside Tightrope Come Alive (War of the Roses) Suite III Overture Neon Valley Street

I knew who Janelle Monet was, but never listened to her before. Pleasantly surprised by the album, not to R and B, not to funky, just fun to listen to.

Somehow met the dude who played keyboard on this album at a bar the same day I got it on the generator. Weirdly cosmic.

Very solid album but admittedly the second half felt not as exciting as the beginning. I think it is an album that I probably wouldn't listen to again but if it came on I would enjoy it. Very cool use of percussion on a lot of tracks. Definitely did feel a little pushed with it's message at times but waaaay better than some artists. Overall id give it on around the same mark at about a 7.6

Eclectic, epic, sprawling. Too long? Too much symphony and overtures? Overall pretty good. Lots of good ideas. Could have used some editing.

Another cool post-punk pre-alternative album. I thought this one was interesting. There are times when it sounds like Bruce Springsteen, albeit with much different subject matter. It's easy to see the seeds of a lot of the music I grew up with in the 90s in this album. It goes by really fast, but every song is solid 4/5

Another one of these alleged experimental albums... I just found it bonkers eclectic random swings in style and sound that was all very much sounding computer generated with absolutely nothing memorable. There were some good parts to some of the tracks, but you shouldn't have to study a track to enjoy it. I've read a lot of rave reviews about this album, with lengthy disection of each track and what it means... ya de ya de ya... but I just don't get it what they're on about, I found the whole thing massively boring, never gonna listen to it again.

Just too much going on here - too many songs, too many style changes, too much in general. Some great songs - Cold War is fantastic, Say You'll go Good but it sorely needs an editor. Just lost me too many times.

Eclectic. If I dig around a bit I find lots of little bits I like. 2.75/5

Lots of ideas, many of them good, but neither the tunes or her voice have the strength the carry all the dicking around.

Should I be listening to this before I die ?......... No I shouldn't

Ikke min type musikk. Men e det bra eller dårlig? Vet ikke!

This was a very mediocre album to me and there were no songs that really stood out. it’s not really for me and I will probably not return to this album. 5/10

2 of 5 (10/30/20) Well, this was unexpected. This is very much not my genre. It's dancy and poppy with smooth vocals and slick production values. I have been known to call this kind of stuff musical exlax. There's something about this album that keeps it from tripping over into the diharrea zone, though. Maybe it's the conceptual nature of the thing that keeps it on course. It does feel like every track leads into the next in a cinematic storyarch. Perhaps that's what makes this work. Somewhere around track 6, it picks up and findsome funk and that was a lot more enjoyable. That said, it never really got anywhere interesting for me.

Nothing to fault but nothing I like about it.

A true magical banger that set up Janelle as a superstar.

She's writing modern pop music that's on such a higher level than the pop music that gets played on the radio. A radio edit of "Tightrope" should have been a big hit, regardless. I'd never heard this album before. Such a wealth of ideas. Sometimes too many elements are packed into a single song that it's overwhelming. From a purely sonic/visceral standpoint this album is sung, played, recorded and produced beautifully and goes all over the map stylistically. There's another layer, lyrically, that relates to a time-travel narrative... it's a complex work of dystopian sci-fi told in lyrics. Not something anyone can digest in one listening, but holy cow! ...a little like walking in on friend's "hobby" where they had told you they "like trains", but their entire garage is transformed into a miniature city and countryside with a working network of trains/tracks, miniature homes and buildings with lights inside, farm animals... details everywhere that you can't take in on one visit and you're amazed but worry a little about your friend's sanity. If anyone actually reads this before listening to this album, check this out: "The ArchAndroid is a concept album that continues the story conceived in her debut EP. Partially based off of Fritz Lang’s 1927 magnum opus film Metropolis, it loosely tells the tale of an android named Cindi Mayweather as she struggles with both her role as a messianic figure to free other androids, and with her forbidden romance with human Anthony Greendown. Watching Metropolis or fully studying the narrative will only strengthen your listening experience, though it isn’t necessary." [Medium]

First five star review I've given to an album I didn't previously know/own. Unique, varied and accessible. Definite listen again. (Three times already).

Fantastic. Simply amazing.

I am so impressed by this, what a find. The ambition of it, the breadth of skill and the variety. I love the commitment to such a cool concept. The musicality and production across the whole thing is superb. It's really upbeat for the majority of the album, but there's so many little hidden moments and gems sprinkled throughout, with lots of different moods and themes. I love the variety of instruments, with the cool guitars, the brass, bells, the cinematic sweeps.. I haven't even properly dug into the lyrics yet, but the snippets I've looked at are really interesting. This definitely isn't in my usual wheelhouse, but I'm honestly so impressed by this. She's seriously talented, and I love the huge ambition and skill on display here. That's why I'm going big. What an eye-opener.

really inventive, groovy and quirky . 5

A striking album that I've been listening to since it came out in 2010. I still return to this record given its eminently listenable with fantastic hooks and themes. It's fatal flaw from being the fullest of my five stars is that the interludes, tempo and vibe shifts means that this record is neither completely a hype/dance record nor is it totally a chill/relax record either. That said I'm certain its in-betweenness is an important part of what makes it continually rewarding and interesting. And yet, without a single mood or vibe to map it onto it can sometimes lose out to more straightforward albums with their one-dimensional tone.

Sweeping, epic, a stunning achievement. Really incredible

this MIGHT be a perfect album

Pre-listening thoughts: we’ve been getting a lot of 2010s albums lately and I need that to slow down cause we’ve still got like 980 to go 😭 I can’t burn through all the recent ones right now and just be left with 50s jazz which we’ve gotten almost none of. But anyways love Janelle Monáe but I’ve only ever fully listened to Dirty Computer by her so excited for this! Post/during listening thoughts: I remember playing Tightrope on Just Dance and then later in life being shocked to find out that was Janelle Monáe and that she sings bc I knew her as an actress first. But hello???? This is her debut album?! This is INSANE. Overture already had me gagged. But this is something still so fresh even though it’s from almost 15 years ago. It’s genre bending, and hooks you at every turn with its smooth transitions that somehow manage to twist every uniquely crafted song into each other. Not to mention Janelle’s vocals which have such power but also flit and float effortlessly. The instrumentation is so full and funky and experimental with massive success rates. God I love this. 10/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: you know what yes Fav tracks: this is a no skip album Least fav tracks:

I went into this album completely cold and was delightfully surprised. It's eclectic, weird and expansive, but still very musical and enjoyable (despite mostly falling into genres I don't listen to much). Songs that I'm sure I'd never heard before felt quite familiar, which was bizarre but wonderful. I think I'll re-listen to this a lot.

Ok

This was a great listen. Experimental at times, some great pop, some classic influences. Really everything I could ask for in an album, let alone a debut album.

We love a concept album with a cohesive sound and cool vibes. This is the first full Janelle Monáe album I've listened to, but whenever I hear songs by them, even out of context, I'm always pleasantly surprised somehow. So I think I need to just lean into it and admit I'm a fan.

'The ArchAndroid' feels not like a single artist's debut, but a culmination of various collectives' collaborations deep into their careers. Janelle Monae proves her ability to transcend simple genre or style, it just blasts into every direction and succeeds beyond expectations.

I had never heard of Janelle Monáe. Maybe she isn't so big in the UK? I don't know. But this album is brilliant. Yes it drags a little towards the end. But this is a fantastic sound, with catchy songs and a consistent musical theme binding together the multiple genres. I loved it and will be putting this on rotation.

I'm shook by this album, I am kicking myself for never listening to it despite enjoying her singles. This blew me away and I will absolutely listen again. Perfect balance of concept album, upbeat bops, retro gems. I favorited 3 tracks on this album in YTM while listening, which says a LOT. I'm a little torn on this rating, like can I really give this a 5 compared to the Beatles or something?? But damn, I'm going to. 4.7/5 Listening notes: Bold move starting this album out with silence then a classical instrumental suite! Then sliding into a Saul Williams feature! Dance or Die - hell yeah moved seamlessly into Faster, which also rocks keeps the energy moving into Locked Inside Sir Greendown slowing into a beachy 60s vibe Cold War - I guess this was a single but I don't recognize it. Definitely feel the Big Boi influence on this track I am blown away by this album so far! Tightrope - goddamn. I know this was big but honestly I can't believe it didn't reach the status of Bruno Mars etc. This should be played at every wedding reception instead of Uptown Funk. I should be sick of this song. Second half of the album becoming more eclectic. moody Neon Gumbo into a folksy pop Oh, Maker. Come Alive - first track I don't love. It's a little cheesy, retro rock Mushrooms & Roses - Ok now some heavily distorted psych rock... yes. Not an Of Montreal collab in here! perfect. Wondaland kinda silly robot track that still slaps. 57821 some ethereal retro folk Say You'll Go - pretty ballad with a little Claire de Lune outro

This was good, and so varied in style and sound. I just didn't know what to expect next and I loved it. Is there anything Janelle Monae _can't_ do? Five stars.

Amazing debut!

Holy schneikeys, I had no idea I was going to love this record.

A truly great album! Some individually bops of songs, but also a throughline that makes it cohesive and even greater than the sum of its parts. Inventive, but easy to listen to.

Very good, just not sure I’ll go back and listen to it again.

KCK represent! Fortunately, this also just kicks ass on its own. I’m glad I got this on a Friday, because I was able to use the rest of the weekend to listen to the rest of her discography. I don’t know if anything else quite matches this, her debut album, but them’s the brakes sometimes.

frisch und lebendig, cooler mix von stilelementen mit groovigen songs. auch nach mehrmaligem hören ein tolles album, welches nicht langweilig wird!

Unbelievable!

i was absolutely BLOWN AWAY by this album. it brought elements of funk, pop, experimental, and soul to create an incredible album.

Wow. The sounds in this are so rich it almost feels decadent. It’s creative and sexy and just super freaking cool. Love love love.

This really was an unexpected and fantastic album! I have a hard time categorizing it, but I enjoyed it thoroughly and it will be going into the rotation and I will listen to her other albums.

Suite II is sooooo good. This is hell of a debut album Favorites: "Dance or Die", "Locked Inside", "Cold War", "Tightrope", "Oh, Maker", "Come Alive (War of the Roses)", "Mushrooms & Roses"

Fantastic album, beautifully arranged with huge musical variation and wonderful songs.

I absolutely loved this album! I don't think I've listened to a lot of Janelle Monáe's music before but this was something else. So much diversity in one album, every track felt like a new chapter because it was so different to the one before but the transitions between tracks was seamless. Favourites were Come Alive and Mushrooms and Roses, but Suite II Overture and Suite III Overtures were fantastic. I don't think I could ever get bored of listening to this album.

Completely new to me, but finally a gem on this list. I'll admit I was a bit apprehensive at the length and was a tad skeptical that a debut album could pull off what the amazing album cover hinted at, but even while every track was not a favorite, I absolutely loved the ambition of this album's sound and story. The production is top notch. As the album ping pongs around through time and various genres, she credibly explores the sound of Shirley Bassey, Lauryn Hill, David Bowie, Wizard of Oz, Metropolis, Diana Ross, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Michael Jackson, Outkast, and Prince among many others, and it was fun picking out the music, broadway musical theater, novel, and film references littered throughout. Lots of the depth here that takes repeat listens to catch them all. "Make the Bus (featuring Of Montreal) reminds me of 70s era David Bowie Glam Rock. While she doesn't quite have the pipes to pull of a Shirley Bassey-esque performance, I did really what she managed to put down in "Sir Greendown". The counterpoint of the songs big bold 60s big band ballad sound contrasting against the medieval imagery in a cyberpunk metaverse was fascinating. She manages to pull of the Bassey-esque siren's call in "BaBopBye Ya". An album for fans, such as a myself of concept albums like Rush' "2112", David Bowie's OUTSIDE, Billy Idol's CYBERPUNK, and Radiohead's KID A. Favorites: "Sir Greendown", "Make the Bus (featuring Of Montreal)", and "Wonderland", "57821 (featuring Deep Cotton)", and "BeBopBye Ya"

Genious album ! So many genres and debt in just one album, perfectly balanced so it seems perfect. Amazing to start the album with a part from "Overture"! BaBopByeYa is the perfect song to end this special album.

This is a very interesting mix of genres. It feels like a very experimental album that's pushing genre boundaries and somewhat defies definitions. From an almost pop sound on some tracks to more rock like sound on others and with constant R&B-but-not-exactly vibes. And yet somehow it's still pretty easy listening. I see why this one is getting the praise that it is Standouts Suite II Overture Sir Greendown Tightrope Cold War 5/5

First time listening to her music and I was pleasantly surprised. Beautiful voice, interesting songs. I really liked the upbeat ones

This was fantastic. The style of music was all over the place, but I really enjoyed it all. So unique and interesting and fun.

This was unexpected. I guess it was overall a pop album, but with influences from varied places: hip hop, rock, hymnals. Very fun all the way though.

OK here’s an album where you’ve got to leave all your assumptions and expectations at the door. Just looking at the cover and the song titles and the little bit I knew about Janelle Monae… I was thinking, ok, probably an R&B and hiphop album, and given her reputation, probably a pretty good one. And it IS that. But it is SO MUCH MORE. There are blistering guitar solos on here. There are straight up jazz numbers. There’s blues and gospel and folk and everything and EVERYTHING is done SO SO SO SO SO well. I can’t even believe how good this album is. One of the best things I’ve ever heard in my life. Put it up there with Def Leppard’s Hysteria as a masterpiece. I wouldn’t call it a singles factory, though. There wasn’t anything here that made me think, oh yeah, this is the one that would rule the radio. But I mean that as a compliment. It was an album where everything felt like an undiscovered deep cut, the kind of song that’s meant for people that F***ING LOVE music and want something that’ll catch their ear AND reach their heart. God bless this album. 10/5 stars. Just amazing.

I loved this. Perfect album from cover to cover

Caught off guard with this one. Very cool album not just Hip Hop on here. Cool concept and execution.

The kind of album you can listen to on loop and not realise that you’ve been listening to the same album for 4 days straight. So varied and full of lovely surprises. Loved it. 4.5

This was 🔥

Fav: Cold War Least Fav: Neon Gumbo This album surprised me, it’s incredibly good and I never got tired of it at all. It’s albums like these that make me glad I do this.

Eclectic, quirky, meticulously produced, masterful, cohesive. Something hard to pull off! Loved it 4.7

Fantastic, really. Incredibly eclectic selection of songs without losing any quality or cohesiveness, regardless of genre attempted.