The ArchAndroid

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.

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.

who select these albums wtf

Wow, there’s a lot to take in here. I had only a passing familiarity with Janelle Monae, having really only knowingly heard one of her songs because it got airplay at a job I had that mostly played bland and inoffensive pop music that mostly bled into itself. She seemed talented, more so than a lot of the other things that were played, but I didn’t expect this album either. This is a dense, frantic album with a loose science fiction theme, somewhat dystopian, and musically there’s a lot going on here. It’s based mostly in hip hop, soul, and funk, but there are bits of cabaret music, psychedelic rock, and really a bunch of other stuff too. A couple of listens isn’t enough to take it all in. Even though it’s dense, it’s not a difficult listen; everything flows well, it’s catchy. Pretty astounding this was her first full length album because it sounds fully realized. What a treat.

07/06 Banger of an album. Need an animated movie of the story set to the music

Meraviglioso. Finalmente un album pop di qualità e diverso da tutto il resto di roba commerciale che fanno uscire. Bellissime le parti orchestrali, apprezzatissimo lo spazio lasciato alle parti strumentali. Voce pazzesca e in perfetta linea con il genere e con il sound unico dell'album. Non sono uno che ascolta pop (escluso Michael Jackson), ma non credo che si possa fare di meglio. 5 stelle tutte meritate.

Suite III alone is worth 5 stars. Beyond that, I like the thing she has going on in the first half of suite II where every song transitions into the next one. She’s kind of like a more talented female Michael Jackson. Was The ArchAndroid better than yesterday’s album, Destroyer by KISS? Yes.

Janelle Monáe’s “The ArchAndroid” can easily be described as the soundtrack for a “Metropolis” musical in the style of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton” - including the song played in reverse (“Neon Gumbo”). However, it’s important to note that Janelle Monáe has a much broader stylistic range - the second half of “The ArchAndroid” in particular is quite diverse - and her album is five years older than the premiere of “Hamilton.” It’s a real shame that I hadn’t heard of her before - this lady really has what it takes!

Surprisingly robust album. So rich and textured. The storyline is pretty basic but man there are so many bops. The first 4 songs alone are all killer. Plus we get a Debussy sample at the end to cap it all off. I really dug this one

I’ll give this one the “Christmas Morning” award. It’s full of greatness and surprises I never even knew I wanted.

I'm listening to this and having my mind blown somewhat. The scope, the ambition, the variety, the music. It's beautiful, profound, epic. Isn't this what we want from our artists?

It just did so much right, "Cold War" and "Mushrooms and Roses" are the favorites

I love this record! Every once in a while a young artist comes along and just bursts onto the scene in a way that is nothing short of delightful. Janelle Monae’s style and performance, the joy she radiates, the artful combination of old jazz styles with elements of James Brown and Michael Jackson mixed together in a modern Afro futuristic performance that is pure joy. The album a bit long and the last couple tracks go in a slower jazz style direction that I don’t love as much but are still good.

Holy hell I didn’t expect to love this.

This is everything I wanted and more. An album that sounds amazing on first listen and will continue to grow through all the listens yet to come

This was a pleasant surprise. Very unique and varied influences across the album. There's consistently great rhythms, funky bass and impressive vocals. Cold War, Tightrope, Come Alive, Mushrooms & Roses and Wondaland were all fantastic but I enjoyed almost the entire track list.

I can’t believe I haven’t listened to this before. Janelle Monae deserves more respect for her creativity. Maybe I’m misremembering but even at her peak in the mid 2010s she never gained the attention I think deserved. Great album.

wow that was an experience. nailed the concept of an album

Dude ya. This was a wonderful time listening to the full album for the first time. Janelle is such a dam treat. Her voice, her vibe, her voice (poetically) mix of style, honestly, passion, it's all so beautifully laid out in front of you. What an amazing journey of an album 5+

This insane album completely blew me away the first time I listened to it a few months ago. It's got this great narrative running throughout. The musicality is off the charts, and the production is phenomenal. Monae's voice is absolutely stellar and addicting to listen to. Each song on here has its own personality and influences. You can tell what the inspirations were, whether its Prince, Simon and Garfunkel, Michael Jackson, or Outkast, but it makes the styles its own and works them in beautifully. I really love when albums are a culmination and celebration of so many genres of music. It's such an entertaining and wild ride, which is why I've come back to this album so many times.

Monáe takes us on a highly satisfying journey with her sophomore album, and I should say the seamless transition from one song to another is just as immaculate as her jumping from one genre to another. The overall jazzy and funk inspired sound album is definitely a stand out and it’s a very high quality album overall. The charming production kicks right in after the first Overture and the rest is just a masterclass in both musicality and vocal performance. Favorites: Dance or Die (feat. Saul Williams), Faster, Sir Greendown, Cold War, Tightrope (feat. Big Boi), Wondaland, Make the Bus (feat. Of Montreal), BabopbyeYa

I am a sucker for a concept album. And this one was really fun. Great mix of upbeat pop and lush orchestral tracks. She has a great voice. Very good

Incredible.

Fantastic!

Hyper-ambitious concept record overflowing with ideas. The music is a synthesis of pop and R&B stretching back to the 60s but still sounds exceedingly modern. The songs on this album are beautifully constructed with well-chosen chord changes. Monáe also expertly fits her vocals each to each song; her relatively straightforward style rings true emotionally on every track.

Come Alive was excellent. I also enjoyed Tightrope and so many others! Overall, this is a great album. I will listen to it again. Very unique and fun! Her voice is gorgeous!

This is such a fun and adventurous album

Very good

Saw the cover and thought I cant be arsed with this. Got it wrong thought as its great! A lot has gone into this. She's great! Banger and ballads all over this album. Mushrooms and roses, 57821, say youll go are stand outs for me, but the whole album is class.

What can you even say to describe this album? As a debut album too? This masterpiece is spectacular and I can physically feel the love and passion out into this record

There are a lot of bangers. She has a great voice. There's a mix of throwback soul and modern RnB with some indie rock sounds. A terrific album

this was awesome and the reason for carrying on with this project. Something I hadn't heard before and interesting enough to make me want to find more for the artist

Masterpiece.

Loved ot

Dit is een van mijn favoriete albums tijdens mijn middelbareschooltijd. Ik weet dat het flaws heeft, maar voor mij is het nostalgisch en tijdloos. Cold war is één van mijn favoriete nummers ooit

Just wow. Wow. This is absolutely exceptional. The genre-hopping, the vocal power, the sheer unstoppable energy of it! I remember back when this came out, enjoying it, but I have no memory at all of it being quite this brilliant.

Instantly interesting and rewards re-listens. Deep and enjoyable.

Damn, I should've actually listened to this before now. This was great! It has like, all of the things I like in an album. It's a concept album with a unique concept that bounces between genres whilst handling all of them so well. I definitely now get why she went back in time to see Ziggy Stardust because this is very Ziggy coded. There's a sliver of the British pop scene that almost reminds me of Lilly Allen slightly in a weird way (an interesting choice for someone who is not British, but I guess she's wearing their influences on their sleave here), and then combined with all these other different influences- it kept me on the edge of my seat waiting for the what the next song would be. This is a great album to be on here, because the album listening experience itself is so great. The first three songs being so varied and yet coherently working together on an album is an encapsulation of what I love about this.

Nunca juzgues un libro por su portada, este álbum me lo demostró más que nunca, porque su portada no me llamaba la atención para nada y no tenía fé de lo que me iba a encontrar adentro, fue todo lo contrario. Todos los temas tienen algo interesante y muchos son obras increíbles de distintos géneros que Janelle mezcló de forma impecable con su voz magnífica, se pueden encontrar con arreglos orquestales hasta ritmos jazz con electrónica, sin dudas una obra maestra.

I love it when an album I've never heard of blows me away, and this did exactly that. There's so much going on here that I don't have time to review it all, but just know that this is one great r&b album

phenomenal

Absolutely, thoroughly, positively mind blowing. The amount of genre melding, how cohesively the album flows, the influences heard here, the atmosphere it sets up, it all works perfectly for its entire runtime. Janelle Monáe has made an easy fan of me for this album alone and I'll definitely be checking out her other material.

So interesting — I can’t believe this was her first album what a showstopper

looooooooooove janelle monae. what a fun time. great gym music.

Why has it taken so long for me to hear this album? The width and breath of her talent is amazing, very cinematic at times.

Was going to give this a 4 but upon reflection this is a 5/5 album. The range is incredible, the music is representative of Janelle Monae as an artist. Additionally if I find myself adding every other song to a playlist so I can keep listening to her music, that's a good sign

Wondaland and Make the Bus were ok, other than that the whole album was incredible. It was a beautiful experience. Motown, hip hop, jazz, r&b, even some Sun-Ra in there. Great album.

This album is so 2010, I love it. The 1st few songs was so up beat. When I get a car, I will be blasting 'Tightrope'. 'Oh, Maker' is so nice and the beat is lovely. 'Come Alive (War of the Roses)' is like a spooky song, I can play it at a Halloween party. Neon Valley Street reminds me of Lauryn Hill. 'Say You'll Go' is such a beautiful song. Overall 10/10, a beautiful album and I really love the cover on it.

Not my usual bag but really enjoyed it. A very eclectic mix of styles blended together with a groove / strong pop sensibilities and held together with a great vocal performance. A surprising 5. Incredibly accomplished for a debut - and a

What this album loses in its overstuffed sprawl of styles, it makes up for in ambition and audacity. Hip hop, funk, pop, R&B, classical, Broadway, jazz, Bond themes and psychedelic soul all feature, yet somehow form a consistent album. The Outkast influence is obvious in the irresistible 'Dance or Die'; 'Faster' and (the excellent) 'Make the Bus', with funk guitars, jazzy like chord progressions or rapid but relaxed lyrical delivery (much like 'The Love Below'); and 'Tightrope' featuring Big Boi himself with killer bass (the basslines over side one are all excellent and Thundercat is another obvious comparison). Via the Outkast influence comes Prince and Bowie: funk and pop and a bit of theatre. The downside is that it can feel like she is trying to prove she can do everything. At over an hour, not every Broadway/jazz tribute feels needed. But overall this is quite the achievement. On paper it sounds like a mess but it's far more cohesive than it has any right to be (she had no right!). A fascinating album and I'm stuck between 4 and 5. The more I listen the more I think it's on the Monáe.

If I was given this blind I do not think I would be able to guess the era. It sounds completely unique and atypical to almost any decade. The end of Say You’ll Go incorporating Clair De Lune stopped me in my tracks. Absolutely gorgeous. An immense amount of creativity. Weirdness, beauty, and everything in between. Absolutely blown away, especially based on expectations. I think I need to listen 5 more times to even comprehend the whole piece. 5/5

Okładka jest jedną z piękniejszych, jakie widziałam w życiu. Części instrumentalne naprawdę przyciągają uwagę i odnoszę wrażenie, że całość brzmi bardziej jak soundtrack. Mój mózg nie umie przyswoić, że to debiut. Niesamowicie oryginalny koncept, motywy science-fiction skradły moje serce i bardzo doceniam tę udaną próbę stworzenia czegoś nowatorskiego. Nie mogę się doczekać przesłuchania innych części z tej serii. Nie potrafię również stwierdzić, które piosenki są moimi faworytami, ale praktycznie każda mi się podoba. Po czasie mam wrażenie, że album przypomina Cowboya Bebopa.

Having heard this album since it came out, I think this is an absolute masterpiece. Janelle Monae is an incredibly talented artist. Beautiful voice, true performer, unique style, and just an all around delight to experience. Got to see her at a small show several years ago, and she was electric (lady)! She's small but she filled the space, commanding everything and everyone. A true powerhouse. When she first came on the scene, she was always wearing a sleek tuxedo and pompadour. Her style was unique and incredible. She's since mellowed out a bit in her career and personal style (with equally great effect), but back then she was a dynamo. Energetic and full of life. I love the composition of this album so much more than her others. It's bizarre, unique, and interesting.

Simply awesome.

I bet Beyonce is pissed she can't do this

really awesome record.

Top Voice, interesting beats and just a good listen.

I am- in awe. Of this album. It is so many things. So many things wonderful. I can’t BELIEVE I’ve never heard of Janelle Monae or any songs of hers or any songs from this album!! I feel cheated! This album was my favorite so far out of the 74 I’ve listened to on this list. It’s so unique and full of novelty. So diverse and experimental and rich. I love the blend of futuristic sci fi vibes and past classical feels. I love how personal and authentic and expressive the album is. Every song feels like a direct piece of Monae’s soul and spirit and I’m so grateful to come across it. My favorite tracks (even though I liked almost all of them) were Faster, Neon Valley Street, and BaBopByeYa. Such fresh songs, I can’t wait to listen to most of the songs from this album on repeat for weeks.

Absoluut gem of a record.

Bah ct top Janelle quiz sait aussi chanter en plus que de jouer en tant qu'actrice Un album formidable

I've been meaning to listen to a Janelle Monae album, so this was perfect. I've heard a couple of songs features she's done and I enjoy her voice. I loved this even more than I thought I would.

Cold War is one of the best pop songs of the past 20 years. Catchy, fun, meaningful, has a guitar solo. The rest of the album is also a joy of different styles. I apparently like it so much I accidentally bought it twice not realising I already owned it. But I don't find all of it so easy to listen to. Even so, this is the tightest 5 I've given.

I need to re listen, its catchy and is way ahead of its time because the sounds and instrumentals are really rich and distinguished. I'm just getting my ears warmed up for this kind of upbeat and funky music or more particularly a soul r&b album. This album ain't at all bad, i dig this album heavy. Janelle sings like an angel and fits on the beats perfectly. Apart from that, the whole dystopian and sci-fi theme is pretty cool as well. Deserves more re-listens for sure!

Majestic

i have listened before, love this album to death. there's something very dorky and weird about it, while still having some absurd pop appeal, especially on the first half. it's entirely stimulating and interesting. very theater kid energy. Faster is my favorite track

This album is really good. Very Very Good actually. I actually have a good feeling about this album. It seems so different from what I usually listen to. I should probably listen to more of Janelle's work. :) 'Come Alive' also was very good. I definetly want to come back to this album. 'Make the Buss'

Favorite so far

This album is all over the place but somehow it still feels cohesive? Magic. It has so many good parts.

Completely new album for me--thanks for putting it on the list! All the songs are great and the groove on "Dance or Die" is hard to beat.

Never heard anything like it before!! this is why I'm glad i joined the 1001 album challenge

I love everything about this album.

Definitely need to give this another listen at some point. I don't think I was as focused on this as I needed to be for it, but even then I can recognize how excellent it was.

My music service categorized this as R&B, which I thought was odd since I consider it Alternative. Anyway. This is an amazing piece of work that turned me into a Janelle fan. On a re-listen there's a lot of what I'd call "LA Chic" but it's still holding up well.

Hell yeah afrofuturism and tightrope used to be my JAM but it's more than that. Great album. Forgot the of montreal song until is started playing. Hell yeah.

It's a little over long, and there are several songs that don't really move the ball forward, but there is so much to love on this record. First, Black Futurism is cool and I like a lot of branches of that tree. Second, the fact she can make dance club bangers like Cold War & Tightrope but also a super cool dreamy 50s era track like Sir Greendown or Stevie Wonder-esque folk/soul/pop like Oh, Maker is pretty amazing. I was between 4 & 5 and rounded up for the ambition and kickass album cover.

9/10 – Great

Surprisingly fun to listen to. I just feel like the singer had so much fun recording this. Took me two days to fully enjoy it. The songs are very diverse and some of them are iconic and timeless. I think what makes a good album is indeed the timeless characteristics. Something you can enjoy even decades later. The vocals in this one surprised me and it is very inventive.

Familiar with Janelle Monae and may have come across some of her songs, but never this album as a whole. Soulful funky dance pop with some rap. That’s what I’m getting here. Very fun. Very different from the usual albums I’ve been coming across here. Every song flows into the next. There’s a defined sound on a lot of it and it’s high energy music. Then slow atmospheric song like Sir Greendown comes on, which reminds me of an old school Bond song. There’s a lot of that here. This album sucked me right in. This is the kind of music I would love to explore more of. Guess I’m a new Janelle Monae fan. Tightrope! What a jam. The slower ballad songs after the heavy dance pop songs really stand out. Oh Maker is great. There’s a mix of genres. Come Alive is like a post punk rocker. Treating this like two sides for each suite, and the first half is practically perfect. There’s such a mix of genres. It’s all funky and soulful but then there’s rock and rap and everything. It’s great. Her voice works with every sound. There’s killer funky guitar behind a lot of this. The album ends strong with a few of those Bond theme sounding songs. Just a great unique album with every song and genre working. What a discovery. This is a 5 for me. Sometimes you listen to something that’s outside your typical listen and that’s where something really blows you away because you don’t know what to expect. This is great. I hope everyone who encounters this gives it a fair listen.

This album really surprised me. It has so many different genres flowing together, and the storytelling is fantastic. Even though it’s outside of my preferred musical flavors, this is one of the best concept albums I’ve had the pleasure of listening to.

As a 70-minute concept album, you'd really expect me to be dreading this one. And yet, it totally grabs you from the Suite II overture and never lets go! I can't say that I really follow the story of the album, but I can tell you that it's got several of the all-time best songs I've heard, and that it's easily the most creative and gorgeous album of the 2010s onward. Its length keeps from listening to it all too often, but every opportunity I get to sit down and listen to it is one that's worth treasuring.

I don't really listen to contemporary R&B at all, and this was probably one of, if not THE best introductory album to it as someone who would call more "prog/progressive" genres his favorite. It's psychedelic and progressive/art pop leanings always kept me guessing throughout my 1st listen, and definitely earned a couple repeat listens after. Suite II is just a non-stop rollercoaster with 2 different multi-track runs that I adore, and Suite III is no slouch either. 9/10.

10/10 I've already listened to this album in full like 50 times. This album's strongest suit is the constant change in sound going from R&B to psychedelic pop to funk. Just an amazing debut album.

Didn’t know what I was expecting, but definitely not this! What a wonderfully beautiful surprise that I have been blessed with! No bad songs, ALL bangers.

She’s great. The album is expansive

This record often sounds cinematic, especially in the overtures, which is appropriate for the level of ambition on display here. The best song is Tightrope, which is not just a perfect pop single; it unspools into an extended vamp reminiscent of Wanna Be Starting Something. It’s among the best songs Big Boi ever raps over, and that guy has a Super Bowl ring on every finger. Other enjoyments are everywhere: a spaghetti western detour (Sir Greenspan), a Sufjan Stevens number that immediately gets highjacked by Prince and driven to space (Mushrooms & Roses). Bowie is all over this thing (she would go on to record an amazing cover of Heroes). Despite subverting nearly every expectation she sets up, it remains fun and accessible. If this record has a serious misstep, it’s Make the Bus, which in typical Of Montreal fashion is twee and frantic and too much. I just can’t with that guy. Anyway, love it. 5/5.

Album #59: The ArchAndroid - Janelle Monáe Genre (W): Progressive soul, alternative R&B, psychedelic pop, psychedelic soul Singles: Tightrope, Cold War I have not listened to this album before. Thoughts?: I love the concept of this album and the lyrics which are largely metaphorical, but my favorite part is the versatility of the music influences, and Monáe’s vocals and performances. This album reminds me of Tom Tom Club’s debut album, in that the influences range from any sort of source, each song sounds amazing and unique, yet they all fit together seamlessly. Favorite songs: All of it!!

Wow. What an incredible listen. Starts with an orchestral suite, ends (almost) with an excerpt from Clare de Lune. And in between is some of the funkiest, most alive, R&B recorded. Great stuff

top tier, this funky soul gender bending stuff is where it is at tunes to dance to, to get lost in the bass lines and the little ear candies, the most produced album so far but in a good way, the sound selection is so great, fantastic track after fantastic track you know when something is so good it makes you giggle? this album does it for me kinda weird i cant rate it until monday but i feel this is a 5 star

KANSAS CITY’S OWN, JANELLE MONÁE Janelle Monáe is like if Stevie Wonder, Lauryn Hill and Prince had a baby that invented being bisexual. this album is incredible and so diverse. can’t believe it came out in 2010!! ending with “BaBopBye Ya” is such a flex. not only does it show off Monáe’s jazz chops, it ties together both overture themes with a nice little bow. and, on top of everything, Janelle Monáe is also crazy hot. if you haven’t checked out her latest album “The Age of Pleasure” i highly recommend it

My God this is cool as fuck man. Completely defies any sense of coherent genre but still comes together into one beautiful, awesome concept album. Impossible to argue with the artistry here. As long as there are musicians like Monáe, unafraid to push the bounds, art will live long and well.

The world needs more Janelle Monae. Super excited to see her on this list. I don’t think this is her best album but it’s still damn good.

Loved it. Great tunes all around, super creative and interesting record. Not a single track felt boring, the album has a very cohesive feel and theme throughout but somehow each track feels unique in its own way too. So many memorable moments. Will definitely be returning to this in the future. 5/5.

LOVED this. Finished it and immediately put it straight back on. So rich and imaginative, I love a concept album and this grabbed me from the start.

Favorite tracks: Dance or Die, Come Alive, Wondaland WOW this is exactly why I'm going through this list. I had a really hard time narrowing down my favorite tracks because I truly loved every single one. Amazing variety, but all of them land excellently.

A breath of fresh air! I hadn't heard Janelle's music before, although I did know it was eclectic and different. She blends genres so easily: one minute I'm bopping along, the next I'm listening intently to the story that's woven through the album. 5 stars.

amazing. so influential from the jump.

Excellent! No I notes

Incredibly inventive. It's hard to believe this is her debut album rather than something someone works up to over a career. Not every element works and at times the styles shift so much it feels a bit bewildering. But really, in a world we all complain about things being formulaic it's great to hear someone going for it

REAL pop music

It’s been so long since I’ve heard this in full, and I think I either forgot or didn’t appreciate at the time how much of a masterpiece this is. Even as someone who has loved a handful of these songs and has been sprinkling them into playlists for the last 10+ years, they sound totally different to me in the context of the full concept album (”Dance or Die”, “Faster”, “Cold War”, “Tightrope”, “Oh Maker”). Pretty much everything I want to say about the marvel of how many genres she effortless blends together here can be shown by the list of genres tagged with this album, but to add a few more: I love the Greensleeves-esque tone of “57821”, the blues-infused “Come Alive (War of the Roses)”, the “Claire de Lune” piano moment on “Say You’ll Go”, and overall classical orchestral instrumentals/format of the whole album which pulls everything together. The only mark for me is the song with Of Montreal (”Make the Bus”) because his voice doesn’t sound like it works that well with Monáe’s and makes it feel out of place. But besides that one moment, the stylistic risks on the album really work for me. The album is perfectly complex but never feels like too much, and even when there’s an unexpected element, it still feels like it belongs. Fav tracks: Cold War, Tightrope, Oh Maker, 57821, Say You’ll Go

This is a long time favorite of mine. I love Janelle Monae's early music and I'm glad this project made me revisit it. I love the variety of music and instrumentation that never gets boring. The world building is subtle and super enjoyable to dive into throughout the album. 5 stars!!

Bello, anche abbastanza vario

A few tracks at the end slow it down but overall this is amazing

In my English class in 2012, I distinctly remember one of my friends hyping up Janelle Monáe often, saying I needed to check her music out expeditiously. I never did. WHY DIDN'T I SOONER?! THIS WAS INCREDIBLE????? THIS is why I have kept up with this album generator for over 300 days. I have had to endure countless albums that had no business being anywhere near a top 1001 list, but this deserves to be there. What a fun ride.

the truth

Amei

Not usually the type of music I listen to but I was pleasantly surprised. I could feel the emotion all throughout the album from the tonal shifts and motifs. Genuinely had me walking with joy and whimsy one second and then rethinking life the next. Not my typical genre but so glad I gave it a listen.

Absolutely insane! Fantastic album. I wasn't expecting much going into this one and I was very delightfully surprised.

Lo amé

This is how to make a modern day concept album. It's camouflaging elevated artistic philosophies and avant garde orchestration as relatable lyrics and pop hits. Suite II is, on vibes alone, so upbeat and danceable that it's easy to overlook the thematic elements being introduced. Suite III adds a nuanced depth and stretches the musical landscape to cover the larger story being told. Tightrope

9/10 Favorites: Cold War Oh, Maker Neon Valley Street

Janelle Monae never disappoints in her approach to albums. They always feel as much a work of art as just an album. The tracks manage to quite varied (see the step change from Sir Greendown to Cold War) but also cohesive. Tightrope adds in a dose of hip-hop royalty in the form of Big-Boi and is an infectious clap along feel good track mixing jazz club vibes with Big Boi’s smooth delivery. Oh maker starts like a classic singer songwriter tune from the 70s and throws up elements of Everybody’s Talking. Before the deep beat kicks in and Janelle lets their vocals fly to a sound more akin to Beyonce. Come Alive see a rockier approach whilst retaining the jazz like vibe that runs through the entirety of the album. Only for another handbrake turn with Mushrooms & Roses providing a far more ethereal listen. Suite iii ushers in a more sweeping orchestral feel, whilst retaining that core spirit that runs through the album. This is just a brilliant listen

I bought this album when it came out but forgot about it for years (except for Tightrope). This is a flawless listen, Janelle is truly the new Bowie: a genderfluid hot talented weirdo. Who else but Janelle could put both of Montreal and Big Boi on an album? Proof you can make experimental yet danceable music.

Wow, this was really excellent! I wasn't expecting that. The only Janelle Monae song I knew before this was Tightrope and I don't like it (not because it's bad but because I don't like a certain type of upbeat/cheerful music - I'm just a curmudgeon lol). The amount of variety on this album is wild... and all of the different styles are well-executed. There are elements of jazz, classical, choral music/church hymns, rock, pop, folk, r&b, and so much more. I don't love the poppy stuff (personal preference), but everything else is fantastic. The orchestral moments and choral harmonies are so lovely and are highlights for me. I also like when Clair de Lune is sampled in Say You'll Go. I have only listened once but I need go through again and pay closer attention because there are so many little details!

Great stuff!

Yeah, this gets a 5 from me.. On first listen I thought the only dip was Wondaland, then on my 2nd listen, I thought that the song actually fit quite well. No bad songs on this album. Plus the first like 6-7 songs just have this untouchable energy to them. I love all of the meticulous details throughout, with the spurts of classical and sci-fi. Really engaging with the storytelling aspects that top tier albums have, very artistic. I feel as though this is what the Kalele album was trying to be... (or whatever her name was) But Janelle just did it WAY better. Every song had intention, rather than just being all of this over produced mumbo jumbo. Will definitely re-listen at some point, really enjoyed this one. 9/10

Qué mujer tan talentosa, qué álbum tan... diferente. Cada canción estuvo brutal Primera vez que un álbum me hace sentir tan asombrado, no porque no haya pasado antes, pero por ser tan versátil y original. Buenísimo

What a revelation this album is. Bouncy, sexy, and just all over the place musically. I adored it. The sheer creativity of craft here is just stunning. I'll definitely be revisiting.

Outstanding. Time absolutely melted away listening to this record. At once fun, soulful, deep with just a splash of hip-hop edge.

If you’ve loved any pop or R&B music made in the past 70-some years, you will find something you love here, I guarantee it.

I’m absolutely blown away by how incredible this album was.

Outstanding album. Simply superb. Having only heard and liked her radio singles, I slept on Janelle’s full length albums. Holy cow, I’ve been missing out

very cohesive and well put this album for the variety of different sounds and styles it has. this album exceeded each and every of my expectations.

203/1089 just an excellent project, the references, styles, flow. I just really enjoyed it all, Janelle has a great ear for the types of genre crossovers and experimentation that are on this album faves: Wondaland, BaBopByeYa, Say You’ll Go, Cold War, Dance or Die, Tightrope 93/100

I absolutely loved this. First half is better than the second though.

DAMN! Every track was tight as hell, yes even the backwards one. & the one that sounds like a Mighty Boosh song. Surface level they were all really great & also had a lot of complexity & depth if you wanted to look for it. Glad I didn’t hear this in 2010 cuz I wouldn’t have appreciated it. Can’t believe it was 3 hours long tho. Oh wait I listened to it three times. Instant top like 50 albums. (Well, if I exclude Tobacco)

WOW. My favorite album I've reviewed so far. As a fan of classical music, I really loved the suite overtures and all the classical sprinkled throughout the album. The music seems to transcend eras in the most beautiful way. When I texted my daughter that this was my next album, She responded, "the GOAT." I have to agree. Incredible. 5/5 stars.

This album is absolutely loaded with incredible songs in a wide variety of genres, each executed perfectly. There are a handful that I see myself putting into my regular rotation, but a lot of the tracks aren't ones I would listen to in the background during work or a long drive. That doesn't mean they aren't enjoyable, it's just not the kind of music that's easily digestible. Definitely a fun album to listen to all the way through.

9/10

Superb...undeniable. 5 drama-free and dancing stars

This looks like a modern-day R&B singer making a concept album in the vein of the 1970s prog scene. There are even overtures, just like on 2112 or Close to the Edge. Yet, this is a different musical beast entirely; where prog is characterized by long, extended passages, this focuses on tuneful hip-hop and R&B. However, it's not afraid to mix genres, combining funk, electronica, and hip-hop into one grand, cohesive beast. The most beloved prog albums were known for their fearless ambition and musical experimentation, and this has both of those in spades. I can't help but love it, as both a fun, poppy R&B album and as an eclectic, adventurous showcase of Monáe's musical ambitions. A genuinely good album that manages to hold its length(and coming from Mr. Hates Long Albums, that's saying something).

Love a funky bit of Nu Prince. Tightrope is an obvious standout but the whole thing is an impressive soundscape/cyberpunk opera/work in 18 movements

great album, lush and expansive. Soothing and melodic.

Not too mutch to say other than a great album thats i feel like has inspired a lot of music that came after it. It is one of the few albums long albums i dont mind listening to. Amazing.

This record is an absolute treat. Janelle somehow combines elements of many different genres such as R&B, Funk, Hiphop, Pop, classical, brassband and probably more and puts it in a sci-fi concept album. Very daring, but the spectacular execution pays off. This woman deserves to be one of the most well listened to women. I'll now promptly listen to this record again and afterwards listen to her entire discography.

What an incredibly fun journey this album is. Starting at classical music, and going through soul, funk, jazz all the way even to what almost feels like prog-rock with screaming guitars and back to soul again. Experimental and new, yet still keeping it in a very digestible pop style, without removing anything off of it. Definitely a keeper and going to check out more from Janelle. 9/10

Such a fun album. Need to revisit to pick up on the concept

Great, great album. Full of fresh sounds bringing that big-band soul swing noise (that would end up getting its time in the sun a few years later, surrounding Luhrmann's Gatsby and the brief art-deco electro-swing craze). Monáe's vocal delivery fluctuates between paying homage some pretty heavy-hitting inspirations - Bowie, Beyoncé, Prince, both major Jacksons - and her own simmering-hot and silky-smooth edge. All that accompanied by some rock-solid and suitably futuristic pop production makes for a deliciously creative listen. It's a living album, lustrous and warm. Those vintage swooning strings and jazzy/funky basslines are delightfully phenomenal. There's a lot of eras of music trying to mingle here and I think it mixes it with colours. That Clair de Lune flair paired with chorus at the end of Say You'll Go is magnificent. She's obviously been pretty successful and has received no shortage of critical acclaim but it's shocking that she never became a household name here, really. fav tracks: Dance or Die, Faster, Cold War, Come Alive, Neon Valley Street, Say You'll Go

I've been on the Janelle Monáe bandwagon since I first heard this album 15 years ago. Been to 3 of her concerts and her Halloween party. It's a classic.

What the fuck (compliment) In my head this is happening in the same universe that Yoshimi is battling pink robots

Like… one of the coolest albums I’ve ever heard. So so so so sick! I loved it so much

Holy shit. I repeat: Holy shit. The fact this album never came onto my radar is CRIMINAL. When I say this album is ambitious, I am not overselling it. The ArchAndroid absolutely transcends genre and to truly be its own unique thing. Rich textures, clean and phenomenal production, with vocals that flow so easy through your ears. At no point did I feel like skipping a track or find myself getting bored. Every track just took me on its own journey and I completely lost myself in the work as a whole like few artists can ever pull off with me. The soul bursts out so vibrantly, the hip hop elements are addictive, the orchestral elements are absolutely gorgeous, the lyrics are enticing, and Janelle’s vocals are just the cherry on top. This is why I wanted to go through this list. To discover music like this. Probably the easiest 5/5 I’ve given so far. Easily.

This is one of my favorite pop album ever. Wild, varied and eclectic, while still remaining catchy and easily accessible. So many things are going on... Afrofuturism and cyberpunk through a modern R&B/Neo-soul lense! Unique product.

Janelle Monae is underappreciated and this album shows why. One of the rarer concept albums, it's fun and clever and entertaining.

Fantastic album filled with very diverse sounds where every song was distinct and stood out. There were a couple songs that didn’t hook me like the rest but for the most part this was a really enjoyable listen. 9/10

Stand out tracks: Locked Inside, Cold War, Tightrope, Come Alive (War of the Roses).

This album is great. It's so unique. It's got a bit of everything. Can't fault it. Standout songs - come alive and wondaland

WOW - went into listening to this with zero expectations, came out absolutely blown away. Unlike any album I have ever listened to before - the closest comparison I can think of is Gnarls Barkley's St. Elsewhere Overall, beautifully melodic, perfectly mixed, and there isn't a wasted second throughout. In the center of it all is Janelle Monae's stunning vocals, bravo! My only complaint - there are a few sound effects throughout which are overdone/almost feel childish, however if that is the biggest complaint, then it feels like I'm almost grasping at straws

This is AMAZING. Everyone should listen to this album.

Masterpiece, no notes

uno de los pocos discos de janelle monáe que no había escuchado antes y es ESTUPENDO!!!!

I'll heap praise onto this album as it is deserved. In my humble opinion, this lady is THE superstar of the 21st century. Multi talented, in a classic way. Think Sammy Davis Jr, or Sinatra or Streisand. People that were exceptional musicians but were also exceptional at other things. She is a true renaissance artist: acting, music, fashion, design.

Wow, what an unexpected delight. It’s not really my thing but it was so good that didn’t really matter! The opening track is a bit misleading and I genuinely would’ve loved more of that but the rest of the album is still really good!

Janelle Monáe‘s voice is so smooth and buttery (?) - didn’t realize she was this good of a singer - will def be adding faster and locked inside to my playlist (faves)

5 stars

It's smooth. It's funky. It's such a good album!!!

A new standard for modern concept albums - what an enjoyable listen. The variance between songs and even within songs kept me entertained, and Janelle Monae really composed a story with this album. Will definitely come back again (and again?).

Christ, what an album to kick off 2026 with. This was excellent. I haven't much else to say, really. 4.5/5

PEAKKK i loved so many songs in it

Ah the Prince protégé! What a wonderful fresh album, I love it, it really never gets old. Outstanding production quality, phenomenal songwriting, superb performance, relevant topics… Really got nothing bad to say about this.

I'm feeling targeted. I've not heard any of their music before but my gosh I wanna thank them for this prog rock opera-y andre-3000-ass sci fi goodness. I have to imagine this will go up in rating for me once I get into it further (and I will be getting into their discography), but 4 feels honest -- I don't think I clicked in as much as I would want to. Can't wait to learn more about the plot and themes -- there's lore, gang! I've been looking for someone that sounds like this for a while. edit: promoted from 4 to 5 on partial relisten as is at least 9/10 1 - i have negative feelings 2 - i have no feelings 3 - glad i heard it 4 - "oh i like that album!" *5* - in the rotation

This is craaaaazy. And a really fun way to jump back into listening daily following Christmas. She's got some pipes on her. I also don't think I would ever really classify this album as pop. It's so much of everything, except for pop lol. For the most part, the width of this album works wonders in its favor, but that also means that bad songs can be really bad and ruin a good vibe/streak of bops. And "Make the Bus" does that to me. Was having a great time vibing along, and then a wrench is thrown into my listening. That's really the only blemish, though, in terms of individual songs. What a fantastic album, though. Artful, but not snobbish and still digestible. Varied and complex while only giving one dud of a song. An honestly, I bet this album would get better and better with re-listenens. Favorite Song(s): Tightrope

Janelle Monae is a true artistic genius and we do not deserve her. Can I give six.

Is this prog rock? I still don't know but I really enjoyed this

this feels less like a music album, more like a theatre production done through music. That doesn't make sense but there's a scale here that exceeds that of a standard album and I love it. It feels like a journey, exploring musical genre through a performance, I'm trying to explain my thoughts but I don't quite have the words. I really enjoyed this.

At first, I thought this was a cool version of Beyoncé, but then it got way more funky and way more cool. I liked it.

Such a fun and diverse and complex album Has so much going on from production to vocals to whole album.

No skips another one thank u

Das ist musikalisch zwar fast gar nicht meine Baustelle, beeindruckt hat es mich aber und es war trotz der Länge kurzweilig und hat Spaß gemacht. Technisch (gesanglich) auch richtig gut. Ich kann da kaum Gründe rechtfertigen, nicht die vollen 5 Sterne zu geben.

The transition from dance or die to faster was good! Wish i could hear this played in a club

Albums like this are what I'm doing this for! I'd heard of Monáe before but never really listened to her music. I assumed she was another neo/retro R and B artist, boy was I wrong. I really dig this and now have to listen to the first suite and this all the way through in order. So many different sounds and styles all done with extreme aplomb. This one's got to end up in my library.

Loved this album. Can't quite put my finger on it, but the orchestral elements just hit perfectly for me.

It is always a joy when albums are cohesive pieces of art. I thoroughly enjoyed the transitions between songs and the general groove of this album.

This was beautiful. I was going to say it gave shades of Outkast until I saw Big Boi collaborated on one of the songs, it was classic and retro but with modern vibes, beautiful songs, I loved it.

I forgot how much I like Janelle. Locked inside had insane lyrics but sounded like copacabanna neon valley street's beginning feels like the Disney "when you wish upon a star" A wide range of musical influences makes each track on this album it's own individual piece instead of sounding all the same, while the overall message and story this album tells allows the wide variety of sounds to come together as a cohesive whole.

I'm listening to the last track and I'm in awe - she nails every genre and weaves them together beautifully - it was like a scenic ride in a theme park where I was keeping my eyes open to be surprised every 10 seconds by the next novelty. Never heard something quite like this. I didn't read any reviews - I want to pretend that this is the worlds most perfect album and everyone gives it 5 stars.

Had never heard of this artist before but what an amazing album. So much diversity and talent and even though it’s quite long, I listened again straight after the first time.

NU JÄVLAR åker vi - äntligen ett konceptalbum! Och ett av 10-talets bästa dessutom. Fanns goda skäl till att Prince tog Janelle Monae under sina vingar. Den här skivan har fan allt - fooonk, neo-soul, hip-hop, bowieflörtar, otroliga orkesterarrangemang, afrofuturistisk sci-fi i George Clinton-tradition och episk musikal-krydda. Solklar fullpott! Kan rekommendera att komplettera den här lyssningen med första och sista delen i den här storyn, EP:n ”Metropolis” och fullängdaren ”the electric lady”. Hela klabbet är bangers!

I know music is itself an art form, but something about this album just says "art" to me. I imagine Monae as, well, Monet. It's not my favorite album by a long shot but it's just really well crafted, and even though it may not get many subsequent listens from me I have to respect this album.

Wow. So many audible influences. This sounds modern and classic. Like prog-rock in parts, like the music to a stage show, like a big film score James Bond or something. This is great, how has this never crossed my path before?

Absoluty stunning album

Haven’t spent enough time with this era of JM. Giving queen vibes

Not entirely focused but it still caught me several times. Maybe not a 5, but it was interesting, varied and I think I want to relisten.

It’s like Bowie and Beyoncé birthed a big beautiful bouncing baby but better and it’s brilliant. Loved it

Love, love, loooooooooved this omg. I feel like it could’ve been released yesterday, I can’t believe it came out in 2010. Gonna be listening to this A LOT.

Love this!

Tons going on, from genre to concept to lyrics to production - but executed thoughtfully and with joy. Stevie Wonder vibes everywhere...particularly Locked Inside, 57821, and Say You'll Go.

È partito strano poi è esploso. Che mina di album

Holy moly! This was Janelle Monae’s debut album. Wow! I would have sworn this was her third album, maybe. Dang, she came out on fire. The ArchAndroid album is a concept album and part of Monae’s homage to the movie Metropolis. It’s just full of pop, hip-hop, rock, funk, jazz, and just about anything else you want. It’s a hugely ambitious album and Monae pulls it off. I remember hearing about this album when it came out in 2010, so I checked it out and was blown away then. When I think about Monae, the word Prince comes to mind, as in, I think she has the same genius that Prince had. Monae said her influences for the album were movie soundtracks, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder and Outkast. I can also hear The Beatles in here, too. You can plainly hear each one of those influences sprinkled throughout the album. In addition, the song Locked Inside sounded to me like it could have been influenced by Super Mario Bros. and the Outrun video games. Beyond her music, her lyrics are incredible as well. On this album she’s telling a larger story with the songs and lyrics. The story is about an android sent back in time to free people from a secret society that suppresses freedom and love. Beyond the different genres of music and brilliant lyrics, the album offers, you can dance to it. Tightrope is a song that certainly doesn’t suppress your freedom to dance in your chair at your desk. It’s a banger, as the kids say. I’d hate to say this was Monae’s best album so far in her career. She’s had some really great music; Dirty Computer was incredible. But The ArchAndroid is the album in which it all came together for Monae. I’d call it a classic, and I think you should hear it before you die. And I bet you listen to it more than once after you do hear it.

Relentlessly innovative, refusing to conform to any preconceived notions and all that guff. I would offer this to skeptical listener: just give it 5 minutes and you will lose yourself in it. You will be reminded of Stevie, OutKast, maybe even Rundgren. Then she will move on, and keep on going deep into outer space. Take the trip

I loved this album, the kind of music I was hoping to find on this journey

Blew. My. Mind. I’ve been sleeping on Janelle Monáe!!

Such a beautiful album!

The name was familiar and realized when I read the Wiki it was from the fun. song We Are Young. Not familiar with this artist otherwise but I was really impressed by the variety on this album. Come Alive reminded me of Siouxsie Sioux (added to my favorites along with "Say You'll Go") First impressions was a 4 but by the time I finished the album I've gotta go with a 5. I'll check out more of her stuff.

Dancing! Songs I know but didn't know I knew them.

So fucking good. When I first heard Dirty Computer I was mad that I was just then getting into Janelle Monáe and this album is just as good.

Forgot how good this was. You can hear prince’s influence but I enjoy her so much more. Album has everything, great music across genres and an even better story - can’t wait for the graphic novel. Absolutely mental for a first album and deserves to be on this list. A classic.

This was awesome and totally caught me off guard as I've never heard of this person before.

I'm now gonna listen to the rest of Janelle Monae's discography because that shit was awesome

really surprised me, brilliant funky album. surprised I hadn't heard it before now

genre defying

There is a reason this album launched her career as a force. She truly is a master of her craft. I appreciated the different genres and feel of each song, I do understand how people comment negatively on the extreme differences in song style from one to the next, but I loved it. Made for a great listen and I will be adding it to my rotation for sure.

An amazing mix of r&b, funk, rap, and rock. A cool concept. An amazingly confident first full length. Love it.

This is damn near a perfect album. I know shes popular, but how is she not more so?

iconic and perfect album.

An album I adore but that I also recognize the whole is better than the individual parts. Relatively few songs, by themselves, are ones k want to listen to. But as an album I can’t stop listening. 5/5

Never heard of this before today and was pleasantly surprised. Locked Inside borrows a chord change from Stevie Wonder's 'Golden Lady' and it's driving me crazy but the rest of this is quite enjoyable. I will definitely be checking out more of her music.

The little I know of Janelle Monáe has always intrigued me and this album did not disappoint. Sometimes it works (Tightrope) and sometimes it falls a little short (Wondaland) but she stays true to her vision and the whole is a lot of fun. Great debut album.

Et af mine yndlingsalbums fra det her årtusind

Blown away. Such talent.

I was originally generated this album on day 3 before I joined a group and it set the tone for the entire project by forcing me to challenge my biases. Janelle Monae is an artist I wouldn’t have even considered listening to in the past. I fully expected a generic pop / R&B artist and I don’t generally enjoy that music. However, I ended up listening to this album a few times that day because I couldn’t understand what was happening. This is definitely not generic in any way! I came out realizing that this is a damn fine album and it’s still in my regular listening rotation today. I still absolutely love the middle section with Oh Maker, Come Alive, and Mushrooms & Roses, as well as the final track, BabopbyeYa, but I’ve also come around to Make the Bus and Wondaland, which I originally found kind of annoying. Overall, this has been my best discovery so far

perfeito.

Wow.

Ähm wie krass ist bitte das Konzept dieses Albums und die Sängerin

Just dances through sounds and genres definitely a well made album

Utterly marvelous and fully credible/convincing (as well as richly enjoyable) despite (perhaps because of) the genre-hopping. Nearly every song / entry works effectively. The contrast between "Wondaland" and "57821" shows the remarkable range she covers. The disco works as well as the R&B which works as well as the outre folk and classically-inflected cuts. And there are 6-8 first-rate songs that stand out from a very high baseline of quality. Despite the length, one never gets bored and repeat listens reliably yield multidimensional pleasure. With so much soul, one's as impressed and elevated as entertained and amused.

So fucking cinematic and genre bending when i was js expecting a traditional rnb album.She honestly infuses every single genre here except for maybe metal or country but thats still a crazy amount of genres.Such an amazing concept as well which i definitely need to delve more into 9.0

pretty fire shit right here🔥🔥🔥kinda reminds me of rihanna

Really enjoyed this. Had heard some of her music before and liked the classic sounds that she would use from vintage jazz to classic soul. There are passages that sound straight out of a 50s or 60s jazz record and other parts that are very modern hip hop. She’s got a great voice.

🔥🔥🔥

- never heard this before but enjoyed it a lot. the production value is really high, and they have an incredible voice. there wasn't a track I didn't enjoy; even the little interludes were pleasant and layered - I realized I've been characterizing Janelle Monae as more Ke$ha and less Amy Winehouse, but everything is much more jazzy and musical than I expected - the little jaunt with of Montreal was very fun and gave me a much better impression of what kind of artist they are - I heard influences from Simon and Garfunkel, Amy Winehouse, 70s psychadelic (and its revival in the 2010s with Tame Impala etc.), Southern gospel, Michael Jackson, James Bond scores, and even a little bit of Debussy at the end of "Say You'll Go" -- each track was almost squarely in its own genre - torn between four and five stars, so let's be generous: I was thoroughly impressed *and* my view of the artist changed as a result of listening, so I think that merits the full five

Such a great and diverse album, 5/5 no notes

Monáe’s voice is so stunningly clear. This album was interesting, fun to listen to, and had a great sound.

immediately 5 stars

I knew of Janelle Monáe before listening to this album, but I’m really glad was on the list. This really is an album that earns its spot by being worth the listen from front to back. The songs feel unique and distinct, but blend cleanly and give a strong, connected flow. Monáe’s voice is strong and powerful, and acts another instrument in the powerful orchestrations. This was truly a great listening experience, and this album is going on the repeat listening pile for sure.

Not heard anything like this before but wow, I really enjoyed this. A mix of genres that all come together. Not usually into rap, but the singer has an excellent voice and it mixes well throughout the album in a variety of music styles. Fantastic!

Completely new to me. Was expecting something very poppy but was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this.

Why is this lowkey rly fire so far? overture idgaf abt (naturally) but Dance or Die is very Lady Gaga incredible i like the spoken word i like the guitar it's all very good but diverse in sound and yet cohesive! Faster is also nice it has a good quick beat (duh) and then it's got this sort of carefree Bjorky jubilance to it i really enjoy it Locked inside is a nice swingy pop song. very lovey very cute Sir Greendown is lovely and downbeat and the little notes give me a sort of mellow vibe it's kind of Liana Flores the Cardigans and also weirdly spooky because of the voices? But I think i hear harp it's so pretty!! This is more how i think of janelle monae. She's got a strong, kicky voice that I've really only heard in Tightrope, but it's also very pretty! Kellindo? what's all this? Its chasing, hungry music though which i so love. it's very majestic and beautiful, I htink. Tightrope is a fire song wbk. I know her for this song but i only listen to the glee version (SUPER good lowkey might be better than this hate to say it) but this is really really good too. It's so fucking catchy and i like its attitude. Wait i didnt know this had a rap verse in it and it's really good too! Gosh this is so good. I think the precussion and sound effects add something really special to this track that the glee vers apparently doesnt have (unforutnately) Neon Gumbo is an intersting little electronic interlude and i do tend to like scary nature noises in music. Gives it a really unique edge since so many songs do bzzzt but crash crash is more impactful often. Oh, Maker is very delicate and very beautiful. Very looking out across the city on a sunny but gently foggy day. it's just wonderful. omg Come Alive she's fucking tweaking! This is so very halloween it's jovial its a little Disney movie a little corny a little rockabilly a little of everything. its lowkey rly fire so catchy gosh that note at the end she's got a beautiful voice but i like that shes also willing to use it on crazy cat yowling sorta stuff Mushrooms and roses is a nice long track very chaotic very psychadellic very loud sort of 70s and sort of Beck at the same time?idk my references are all over the place but like it's definitely reminiscent of some earlier rock stuff as well maybe like Lou Reed and probably a bunch of black artists im not culturally smart enough to know. I love it Overture is very mamas and papas disney movie muted nostalgia wow this album has a very well curated vibe around it -- very much has music and sounds to fit the vibe of the songs before and after it's good it's blended well Sorta arabian? sorta alien? Neon valley street also has that sort of alien beautiful but familiar energy andi feel like this album has some great world building. i love the end too Make the Bus is so catchy so fire wow i love it it's so alternative it's a little britpop or... mika?? idk it's so fire wow it's got like a talking heads kind of lady gaga speaking it's SO hard to describe but there's definitely some sounds i feel that i know well. this album is so elaborate and involves so many people it's almost like it's a four piece band or something but it's just Janelle and her features and backup! it's so good. Wondaland is VERY cibo matto it's very cute very electronic wow i can't believe this is janelle monae super robotic super repetitive super cutesy i love that they say take me back to wonderland she thinks she left her underpants that's the kind of cutesiness we need in the music game not super crazy abt hallelujah but i like it enough!!! 57821 is haunting and almost hymnal which i don't really like but i'm sure it has some deep meaning i cant get. Say you'll go is nice and pretty and calm but i kinda don't gaf that much. it's sort of boring in its slowness Babopbye ya this is much less goofy than the name suggests. does it mean anything idk bruh but its kind of bossa nova jazz lounge singer sexy Adele sort of energy which i'll always like and 8 mins!!! again the world is super cool to me i like the foresty gardeny thing that's going on love it! this song is liek a whole 3 act opera damn wow her voice is very powerful very beauitulful this i must go part is so awesome. this is a lot nicher and like less mainstream and more experimental than i thought janelle monae went i thought she was just a pop star! but super super cool super frickin good LOVe it and i'll probably be on thsi for a good couple weeks

I swear everytime a female artist is featured here, their stuff is sooooo great. 70% of male artists are mediocre at best. Coincidence?

5/5. Just hit after hit, this is a fantastic progressive techno-pop funk record. So many ideas and feelings, the first side much more upbeat than the second but the second side just as strong. It moves from early 40's pop to modern rap, and everything in between. There was not a single song I was not enjoying, and she really shines in the last song, it feels like an otherworldly epic mixed with a James Bond score. This was just a solid record front to back, no notes. Best Song: Tightrope, Cold War, BabopbyeYa

This album is all over the place and I love it. The vocals kill, the instrumentals keep flipping every 30 seconds, never dull for a second. Cold War nails how sharp the composition is, and the vocal run at the end of BaBopByeYa is the cherry on top. Janelle’s performance is unreal. Easy 9.5/10.

Holy shit. This album was awesome. Very epic, love the mix of influences, there’s a lot of older music. I could definitely hear in the mix. Jazz, hip-hop, R&B, prog, I was not aware of Janelle’s game. This was amazing, I’m listening to her other few albums. She has out now. Absolute five star.

Wow, what an incredible album. Going in, I wasn’t sure what to expect; it sounded too ambitious, with influences ranging from Bowie to Fritz Lang to Stevie Wonder. But Janelle Monáe somehow pulls it all together in a dazzling mashup of soul, jazz, classical, and sci-fi. It’s more than an album, it’s a cinematic experience, a full-blown world you can step into. Every track feels intentional, layered, and bursting with creativity. I honestly want to see this as a film - it’s that vivid and imaginative. Monáe doesn’t just blend genres; she builds an entire universe out of them.

I LOST MY REVIEW JUST KNOW I LOVE IT AND IM SO HAPPY TO KNOW WHERE YOU GOT IT SAMPLE CAME FROM.

Coisa de louco, uma viagem ! gostei

Fabulous!!!

At first listen: jaw dropping! Multiple layers of styles coalescing into coherent music. Masterful.

A whole musical emotional journey, beautiful.

So diverse and so much fun

Absolutely incredible album.

This is amazing, I absolutely loved this.

I was already familiar with Janelle Monáe back in 2023 when I checked out her recent album, The Age of Pleasure. I remember enjoying the wild genre experimentation on that record, which seems emblematic of her music. Case in point, her debut studio album, The ArchAndroid, employs a rich blend of soul, funk, R&B, psychedelic rock, cabaret, doo wop, and other styles, all wrapped under Janelle's commanding mezzo-soprano voice and immaculate production. Just the opening run of the string orchestration of "Suite II Overture", the quick rapping over the electronic rattle of "Dance or Die", the big band swing of "Faster", and the bouncing funk of "Locked Inside" showcase a good sampling of the flashy swerves offered as the tracks neatly segue into each other. These musical shifts help keep engagement throughout the runtime across two suites. That said, there's more to this record than the instrumental quality and flow. The ArchAndroid serves as parts two and three of a seven-part Afrofuturist concept series, centered around Janelle's alter ego Cindi Mayweather, designation 57821, a hypersexualized android who's on the run from the authorities because she dared fall in love with a human. While her debut EP, Metropolis: The Chase Suite, lays out the setting and the beginnings of Cindi's rebellion, it's okay to start with this record, as "Dance or Die" gives a quick rundown of this world of man and machine as Cindi goes on the run. Eventually, we are introduced to her love interest, Sir Anthony Greendown, and explore their romantic connection. Meanwhile, Cindi herself learns to accept her place as a messianic figure in liberating the rest of the android population, culminating in the ending where she bids farewell to her lover as she begins her travel back in time to save her people. Like all good science fiction, the story here is ripe with allegory. Janelle herself has considered androids to be the new "other", representing the various identities that have long been oppressed and deserve to be free and loved. Janelle herself is a lot of "other" - black, feminine, and queer - and through Cindi, she expresses her desires while trying to live up to high expectations. Probably the most notable tracks that give insight into these feelings are "Oh, Maker", where she calls to a higher being to express her forbidden love, "Mushrooms and Roses", where she's also fascinated by another rebelling female android named Blueberry Mary, and "Say You'll Go", where she reaffirms her love for Anthony and asks him to join her on her quest for android freedom. The album serves as an ode to love in times of crisis while offering hope to others as they choose how they want to live without fear. The lyrical subtext here will become full-on text later with The Age of Pleasure, but it is nonetheless welcoming. At the end of the day, I enjoyed The ArchAndroid. I'm sure it probably makes more sense on stage than on record, but the execution is grand and makes Janelle's world feel like a future worth fighting for.

I'm such a fool. I'm such a goddamn fool. I know Janelle Monáe's two most recent albums are some of my favourite albums, but I've never gone and listened to her back catalogue. Why have I let myself miss out for so long! What a bloody good album. I love the thematic nature, the genre switchups, the dancibility and just those oh-so-cool Janelle Monáe vibes. 5 stars, going straight to the top of the roster.

Mad album

Loved this one, super experimental, but amazing coherent storytelling. All in all a very enjoyable listen

Brava, Janelle! I have heard bits and pieces over the years. Entire album is a masterpiece. 5 stars.

Wow. She pulled off 68 minutes and it never missed a note IMO. This is absolutely one that needs to be heard.

I didnt love all the songs but acknowledge its an amazing achievement of an album

Oh man, where do I begin, besides that I really wish I'd heard this in the 00s. Bands like Sophe Lux and Dresden Dolls always struck me as "almost there," and not until today did I realize that THIS is what I'd been looking for. Five stars, easily. Also, I'm glad I listened to the EP first... I sought that out before listening to the album.

oh this is ART absolutely love janelle monáe anyway but this is such a fantastic display of her talent. i think it takes more than one listen to fully appreciate it but it absolutely deserves the focus time

Wow... energetic, frenetic, eglectic, extremely diverse stylewise, great production, great voice, great bass, overall great vibes... This was fun, I loved it...

This album slaps so damn hard. Oh my God. What even is it? Pop, R&B, rap, EDM, jazz, rock, metal, soul, classical? Answer: YES. It's like Janelle listened to all of music history and said "hold my beer". Where has this been all my life. Genius. 6/5.

Love her!

74/1001. Before listening I had no idea what this was. After listening I have no idea what this was.

Science Fiction is always appealing to me. And as this album is a science fiction themed concept album, its appeal elevated despite being an Contemporary R&B album, in which the genre is something that i really dislike. maybe i should use my sci-fi judging eye and my music judging ear to rate this lol. The overture quickly bought us into the atmosphere of a old time sci-fi movie happening in real time: orchestra tuning, applause, while it unleashes fullthrottle into a classical styled piece. and the genre hopping! no, the genre hopping is so awesome that i can do nothing but to admire it. and how the first three songs flow into each other is just so awesome, without looking at the tracklist i just honestly don't have any idea about it switching tracks. such a interlinked album i mean it is as conclusive as a science fiction plot. and it does what many SFs needs to do: to be both conherent per plot (even the fade out seems not weird as well although some seems a bit weird), switch between high-energy, tense moments and calmer parts and aged like wine. when i say age like wine i mean the social commentary in the lyrics. i don't like political stuff but if you sugarcoat it it is just so sweer and fine and appealing to me like many SF writers have done and continues to do. no wonder someone compare this with sgt.pepper. they all hope between genres (although peppers is still a bit inconherent), influenced musicians to come, have a concept (of course!) and instantly become a classic. instant 5. 5/5

Exceptional album. Incredible musicianship, vocal performance, orchestration, the whole package. I would put Janelle Monáe up against any of the other great performers of the 20th and 21st-century, any day.

Hands down the best album I heard so far - just catapulted to one of my favorite albums ever! Her voice is amazingly eclectic and diverse, yet her album is somehow cohesively thematic. I need to listen to more Janelle Monáe! Tracks to Track: Cold War, Tightrope, BaBopByeYa

I wish I could inject this album into my blood stream. So much passion,funk, love and soul pumped into every track. She's such a criminally underrated artist.

Well, I didn't know the girl from Glass Onion made music.

This is an album I haven't heard before. First impressions are that it genuinely may be one of the best pop albums of the 21st century. Did I just miss the buzz, or did this deserve way more attention when it was new?

Wow! I was instantly fascinated by the classical orchestration in the opening track, and then equal parts captivated and impressed by the rest of the album. I knew I had heard Monáe's name before and it wasn't until I read more about her that I realized it's as an actress from the movie "Hidden Figures," but I don't know that I was aware that she was a singer as well. This entire album was so much fun with its poppy, experimental vibes and its concept album feel. "War of the Roses" sounds like a track ready for the Broadway stage and "Wondaland" and its poppy, upbeat self sounds like something Katy Perry or Janet Jackson, or a contemporary could easily have recorded. "57821" features wickedly gorgeous layered harmonies and reminds me of a 60s folk group. "Say You'll Go" has moments where she's channeling a lounge singer in all the best ways, ramping up into something akin to a movie score. Monáe's range of styles is quite different throughout the whole album, but somehow it all works together and I am so thankful to have found this because it is going to be added to my library for future frequent listens. What a great find! Fans of big voices like Janet Jackson, Adele, Diana Ross, or Whitney Houston, will no doubt enjoy this.

My first thoughts were that this was a Janet Jackson album, but the decade was all wrong somehow. Turns out it was something far more interesting, maybe even a 5 star album.

Det är nåt med hennes musik som får mig att känna att allt är såpass genomtänkt och inspirerat att jag bara kan luta mig tillbaka och veta att det jag hör kommer vara bra. Och det är det. Hon är en av dom bästa artisterna jag hittat på senare år, och detta album är en stor anledning till det!

New artist for me and another new favorite

Loved the variations from classical, instrumental, synth, hip hop, rap, jazz, pop, and electronic. All around great listen. Janelle is a master storyteller throughout each song. This album is going in my rotation.

What did I just listen to?? Fused soul,funk,swing… hip hop? Each song was different. Wasn’t sure what to expect. But was pleasantly impressed

Shut up and take my Monae. My favourite discovery this year yet. Folk, soul, rock, psychedelic rock, hip hop, R&B. All beautifully crafted in one brilliant album. Totally surprised, totally Wowed!

Holy fire

Fascineranes, gøy, sjarmeranes, sånt æ angre litt på at æ ikke hørte på da det kom, all den tid æ jo va himmelstormanes forelska i "Tightrope" (sjøl om resten av albumet ikke helt matche den energien, men det hadde nok vært for mye å forlange).

For et album! Dobbel-LP-lengde som fyller ut hver side. Stemmen, arrangementene, oppbygningen! Alt leverer

Not sure how I slept on this when it first came out, but this was great from start to finish. Going to have to dig deeper into her discography after this.

I was ready to hate this. Not an artist I've ever heard of before, and I'd have judged this book by its cover and not picked it up. His album is incredible.

Very cool and interesting album, definitely holds up.

I was prepared to just like this album, and I was so pleased to have fallen in love with this record. Pop and soul perfection.

FANTASTIC! Wasn’t familiar with the artist or album but was blown away. Fun, energetic, polished, incredibly well written and produced with an impressive amount of variety and pace and instruments. It’s like Outkast and Mary J. Blige got together and did a Disney soundtrack!

Absolutely loved it. It's a real novel.

Great blend of catchy pop/r&b and some more experimental stuff. Really good.

So good! Can’t believe I wasn’t listening to her before, I’ve always heard great things.

I typically ignore pop music almost completely coz I detest most of it, but I distinctly remember when this dropped. I recall giving it a shot and being impressed at how experimental and unique this album was as a whole statement and concept. It is anything but boring. It's not something I have spun up again since my first few listens in 2010, but revisiting now it reaffirms that it's a super well-crafted, creative, and considered album. Although it's not typically my preferred style or genre, it's notwithstanding impossible to ignore. Like I said, I mostly hate and consequently write off most pop music due to its banal sameness, but this is such a singular voice of overwhelming creativity, I gotta give Monáe big props for such a unique debut. And "Cold War" is still a fucking total banger, 15 years later; a sort of spiritual sibling to Outkast's "Bombs Over Baghdad". This is an example of a record that I cannot help but recognize has 5-star quality, even though it's not totally my thing.

a very creative and gaudy soul/r&b album inspired from classic dance pop music and lavish afrofuturism. a brilliant symphony of sound, blending old with new. narrative-driven and substantial, this album would literally be the perfect score for a modern version of metropolis, a sound fitting for a cyber-capitalist-dystopia with golden art deco buildings that reach the stars. this album entrances you, it makes you both dance and daydream as it plays through, janelle's voice smooth like artisan butter.

I had never heard of this artist or really this style of music before. I really dug this album! Monae's musical style draws from funk, soul, electronica, jazz, hip hop, new wave, synth pop... It sounded a bit chaotic at first, but as the album settled in the sound became more composed and Monae's soaring vocals carried the whole thing throughout. Definitely deserves another listen.

What an album! I really like how competently made it felt. Excellent instrumentals and vocal work! This might not have the pop-iest songs, but it really came together as a whole. I'm up in the air for 'Cold War' and 'Oh, Maker' being my fave.

I don’t know what I expected when I saw this generate, but it wasn’t this. What a thrill of an experience! I admit I wasn’t looking forward to listening to this, but damn, this is some good shit. Janelle Monae is a name I’d heard, but never listened to her music, kinda lumping her in with every other disposable pop artist. I was definitely wrong.

...What am I listening to. Is this a full orchestra at Carnegie Hall? Is this the hottest new dj cranking up an interplanetary set from a high-above sparkling silver podium? Weirdly I'm mostly blown away by the percussive elements. Drums aside, Monae paints the beat picture with their full hand, accenting the driving basslines with manual and electronic beat additions. This is so addictive, you keep waiting for the energy to cool down and it just doesn't! Even downtempo songs like Sir Greendown envelop the listener in a shifting, permeable atmosphere, pierced only by Monae's dreamy spell singing. The next thing that I notice strongly on this album is her falsetto yell/cry from the dark cabaret tune Come Alive. Try listening to that back to back with Sir Greendown. and then try dipping quickly into the Diablo Swing Orchestra. Monae literally does it better than that entire group. This artist is obviously non-binary cause they really cannot pick a single genre to stick to. call me queer because it looks hot on them.

I was surprised, but excited to see this one come up. I love this album. It’s been awhile since I listened to it, but it’s so damn good. It’s got so many influences. I know it’s a concept album, but it’s so cinematic, in a good way

Awesome. Tons of variation. This is what I come for

Fabtastic

i've heard this before in the past (partially). i'm no stranger to her music, though i've admittedly neglected listening to her discography in full Suite II Overture - no rating Dance or Die - 5/5 Faster - 5/5 Locked Inside - 5/5 Sir Greendown - 4/5 Cold War - 5/5 Tightrope - 5/5 Neon Gumbo - no rating Oh, Maker - 4/5 Come Alive (War of the Roses) - 5/5 Mushrooms & Roses - 5/5 Suite III Overture - no rating Neon Valley Street - 4/5 Make the Bus - 3/5 (the guest artists annoy me i'm afraid) Wondaland - 5/5 57821 - 4/5 Say You'll Go - 4/5 BaBopByeYa - 3/5 (beautiful, just really long) Average score: 4.4/5 (rounding up for overall quality) this is a hell of a debut album. banger after banger, front to back. i'm not surprised though, Janelle is talented performer, and i'd even argue she gives other female artists a run for their money loved the production. the transition between the first few tracks or so is truly seamless. i'll be so caught up vibing with one that i won't even realize that i'm already like 20 seconds into the next. my personal favs were Wondaland, Mushrooms & Roses, Faster, and Cold War if this is the raw energy and talent she's bringing on her first album ever, i'd better fucking brace myself for when i listen to the rest of her albums.

This is already a 5/5. 10/5. This is one of my favourite albums ever. I have like 4 of these on rotation anyway.

Futuristic and classic

masterful album. extremely ambitious matching a complex storyline, frequent genre and style switch ups (Make the Bus is an of Montreal song pretty much (speaking of which, no Hissing Fauna on the list? lame)), and luxurious instrumentation. one of the best ones in the list for sure. an album that continues to show off new layers on each listen. half the songs are candidates for best on the album too. deserves to be one of the 1001? very much yes. i like this more than Dirty Computer but i'm glad the more whimsical one made it on. but ideally both would /shrug

This is really good, very eclectic and catchy

I feel like I've heard of Janelle but never listened to her. This isn't the style of music I normally listen to, but this is pretty strong. Great vocals and a good groove throughout. Glad to have listened to it.

Oh now THIS is a discovery. I name I have heard over and over again and somehow just not gotten round to. I love everything about this, high concept, high orchestration, high everything. Queen shit.

A timeless classic that I will love for all time!

A powerhouse. So many varying styles and genres, but all working together with such powerful energy. Banger.

Wow, exceptional. A couple of skippable moments made up for by some truly extraordinary songs. Also she’s really cool.