Reviews (page 3 of 13)
Thoughts before listening: I remember when this album was winning all of the year end best album polls. I remember liking it at the time even if it isn't they type of music I'd normally listen to. Review: This is a very cool album, with so many different music styles and ideas mashed together here. There's classical, soul, r&b, rock, showtunes, etc while being a concept album influenced by 70s prog rock bands. Most of the songs are upbeat with expert musicianship throughout. I think this is great. 5-stars
This is amazing, symphonic, epic. Brilliant
Loved the album concept and cohesiveness! Bits of jazz, classical, and R&B made it really interesting.
Not necessarily my favorite genre but a really great album. Lots of variety and I enjoyed the continuous mix. I think this has had a lot of influence on hip hop and I've heard it sampled before without knowing. There were parts that got a little too show tune for me if that's the right word, but I can forgive that. The worst aged part was the classic 2010 era rap features that add nothing but checking the box for a rap. Would have been better without them.
This album meant a lot to me when I was 16, and it is a timeless piece of music. As I have gotten older, certain songs speak to me more where they didn't before. Favourite Tracks (all 5/5 - probably one of the best tracklists of all time): - Dance or Die - Faster - Locked Inside - Sir Greendown - Cold War - Tightrope - 57821
I'm really not sure, but I think this is a masterpiece
This is truly incredible. I really cannot believe I have never listened to her before. I'm a fan now!
Brilliant sci fiction music
Good, will need to listen to it again Gave it a 5 after listening again
I enjoyed this so much more than I expected to. Not on my radar whatsoever. Such variety in tracks and just production generally. Came back to bump up my rating!
talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it.
I don't know what I was expecting from this album, but this was not it at all. Not really my normal genre, but I am surprised how much I am liking this. Only song I've heard before was Tightrope, which is a pretty good song, but I also really enjoyed the middle section with Oh Maker, Come Alive, Mushrooms & Roses. Not a huge fan of Wondaland or Make the Bus; they might grow on me, but they're a little annoying on first listen. The last song, BabopbyeYa is absolutely amazing. I really wasn't expecting to like this album!
Since I listened to the album for the first time after the release I know that this would be on my list of favourite albums of all times Lo and behold,it's also here, on this list. Monae easily jumps through all the musical styles out there but never makes it eclectic in a negative sense. Her music is rooted in some uptempo soul that meets classical music, rock, hip hop and even punk and folk. It's great simply for that.
No esperaba absolutamente nada, casi ni lo escucho. La madre que me parió, es la hostia en verso.
so many bangers. such a vibe. and then, to top it all off, of montreal turn up! what an album.
Already expectations are high before I even start the album because I know Janelle Monae is a babe. Ok this is a great one. Likely my first new-to-me 5 star listen. Really enjoying myself here. Incredible stuff, ready for round 2 whilst cooking
Amazing pace. Like background in a club or cafe. Aspirational.
Absolute banger of an album - so creative and complex and fun
Цей альбом зумів мене здивувати, в хорошому сенсі. Справжній витвір мистецтва.
У мене не так часто зʼявляються огляди на сучасну поп музику. Та хоча, і цьому альбому вже як 15 років, тож він - «так собі сучасний». Проте його вік, абсолютно нічого не означає, адже музика на ньому випередила свій час на багато років вперед. Скажу більше, я навіть невпевнений чи прийшов його час вже. The ArchAndroid від Janelle Monáe - це концептуальний футуристичний альбом, що розповідає нам історії про андроїда, через які розкриваються такі теми як ідентичність себе у світі, та звісно ж, кохання. Подібна концепція не є чимось проривним чи новим, і творів на подібну тему, ми можемо згадати безліч. Проте тут ця концепція використана, в першу чергу, щоб підкреслити музичну складову, а не навпаки. Якщо ж говорити про музику, то назвати її «футуристичною» буде не зовсім точно. Адже вона втілює у собі таке поняття як «Афрофутуризм», коли африканська, а в нашому випадку, афро-американська культура перетинається із науковою фантастикою. Пісні тут звучать так якби їх придумали десь у майбутньому, але при цьому, покладаючись на усю минулу культурну спадщину. Тут поєднуються ледь не усі жанри афро-американської музики - funk, rnb, soul та hip-hop, і все це робиться максимально органічно, плавно, і що найцікавіше - «по-новому». Це не просто «перевикористання» елементів минулого, а дійсно створення чогось нового та унікального. Тут ми чуємо, як класичні та відомі нам жанри влучно поєднуються із сучасним звучанням, синтами та ефектами. І під час прослуховування, складається враження, що це музика із паралельного всесвіту в якому «перевинайшли» вищезазначені жанри. І якщо вам вже здалося, що це типовий, занадто «заморочений», #artpop альбом, в якому панує «творчій хаос та свавілля», то ви точно поквапились із своїм висновком. Так дійсно, в альбомі є експериментальні та нетипові моменти, але вони дуже уміло «вкладені» в основу композиції яка звучить достатньо прямолінійно та зрозуміло. Тобто в основі, це та сама танцювальна чіпляюча поп музика минулого, але яка відчувається зовсім інакше, і навіть не виглядає «ретро-футуристично», як той самий синті-поп. Навпаки, все звучить свіжо, автентично, та ніби «придумано вчора». Цей альбом справді існує поза часом, та я навіть не уявляю, коли він може стати неактуальним. Тому скільки б років не пройшло, для мене він буде залишатися «сучасною поп музикою». Дуже задоволений, що нарешті ознайомився і з цим шедевром, дійсно один із кращих альбомів, що я коли-небудь чув.
I'd never heard of this artist or this album. It's not really a genre I listen to either. But wow, what an album. If you were to tell me that a new R&B star was going to write an album in 2010 about a dystopian, Android led future and I would enjoy listening to it then I'd have laughed in your face. And I'd have been wrong. It sounds and feels like a stage show with huge variety, interest and excitement. Will be listening again.
This is how music is supposed to be, a joy to listen to! So interesting and varied and exciting without being overwhelming, will definitely be listening again. Favourite: Make the Bus (closely followed by Faster or Tightrope or Oh, Maker- just so many good songs!!)
Não é o melhor dela mas merece 5 pelo conceito
There is so much going on in this album. Start to finish it keeps you on your toes, with amazing music and arrangements throughout. Fantastic.
I’m amazed I’ve never heard of Janelle Monáe. This woman is wildly talented. There’s so much going on in this album. Genuinely there are so many things to address in this album. The biggest and most important thing to me when it comes to an album is variety. It doesn’t have to be nonstop changes in genre like a ween album, it can be as simple as a punk band throwing in a ballad or trying their hand at a ska song. Just something to change the tone from time to time. And this album EXCELS at that. Sometimes not even for the better, but it doesn’t matter how little interest I have in 57821 because I appreciate the risk involved in making “weird” songs. There’s so many on here that are noteworthy, for instance it starts with an interlude that leads into a fast bombastic dance song with squeaky clean production that could clean your dishes, then there’s like a “Latin rock song” (for lack of a better word) called “come alive” that’s wildly different than everything else on the album, and it even ends on a sharp turn when “BaBopByeYa” comes on and becomes a spy thriller opening number. All the weird stuff is what I fell instantly in love with, however the actual “hit” songs on this album are what’s going to interest most people cause they are legitimately catchy pop songs that have been all over the charts. And while those songs didn’t really blow me away I could appreciate that these are the songs that actually sell the album. But seriously this is a super underrated album. Its clearly part of the vision behind the album from artwork from the gatefold to the actual cover, but it honestly sounds like an amazing and epic soundtrack to a movie that doesn’t exist. It’s got alittle something for everyone.
Damn, now THIS is an album I’m glad I heard before I died.
This was incredible, top 5 of albums I’ve never heard before. I was bopping my head the whole listen!
Wow. I was not expecting to love this as much as I did. I mean, I wasn't expecting to dislike Janelle Monáe's 2010 debut album The ArchAndroid, but I also wasn't expecting this to be one of the best albums I've listened to in 2025 thus far, but that's actually what I ended up getting. This album's amazing! Janelle Monáe is an artist that I've definitely heard of before, but knew practically nothing about in regards to her actual music. I've got to say. This was an excellent introduction. What do I love about this album? Well, there's a few things. Number one is that this is a crazy-ass concept album. And I LOVE crazy-ass concept albums. This might not be as crazy-ass with its concept as an album like The Wall or De-Loused in the Comatorium, but that doesn't mean it isn't crazy-ass in other regards. The concept is still pretty cool though, even if it is more of a thematic theme rather than a full on obvious story. The writing does a good job with this. There's some nice theming about love and identity while still being a very fun album throughout. Speaking of which, let's talk about this album's sound, which is another one of my favorite things about this album. I love the fact that I don't even really know what genre to classify this as. Is it R&B? Soul? Pop? None of those labels really captures the style of this album. Every song feels different from the last and I love it. Janelle's singing is great for the vibes of the album. The features are pretty good too, with the highlight probably being the verse on "Tightrope" from Outkast's Big Boi. This album kind of reminds me of Outkast at times. "Cold War" kind of gives of "B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)" vibes, and if you're making me think about that song, you're doing something right. I don't know what to say. This album has so many ideas behind it that just work effortlessly together. The fact Janelle Monáe was doing things like this this early in her career is astonishing to me. This is an excellent album with an insane amount of talent behind it. I love it. Light 5/5.
After i found out it is a concept album and that explains its weirdness, it jumped from a 4 to 5 very genius album
I love an album that can be cool but geeky at the same time, and one that feels both eclectic and cohesive. 5 stars might be generous, but I'd rather listen to this 15 times than the combined 15 Crosby, Stills, Nash amd Young albums on this list.
Ok, as much as I bitch and moan about the amount of boomer rock this list includes, ArchAndroid made me actually grateful for all the music I wouldn't have otherwise listened to - because it so richly contextualized all the genres Monae is more than capably of trying on here: - Ray Charles' albums come to mind with the classical/orchestral arrangements on the suite/interludes - Quincy Jones/MJ vibes with 'Locked Inside' - horror movie/rockabilly Cramps influence on 'Come Alive' - folky dreaminess on 'Oh, Maker' and '57821' - dream pop crossed with 1960s girl groups with 'Sir Greendown' - glam rock Bowie crossed with psychedelic rock sounds on 'Make the Bus' - and of course pure pop/R&B grooves with 'Tightrope,' 'Say You'll Go' & 'Wondaland' I know she doesn't have Lauryn Hill's pipes and maybe doesn't play every instrument like Stevie, but this has serious Miseducation and/or Songs in the Key of Life ambitions. Every effort may not be excellent but holy shit, enough of the attempts fucking land that I have to admire the fact that she went for it in the first place.
I knew Cold War and Tightrope, so I came into this one expecting the album to be similar to these two. Imagine my surprise when the first song is an overture. It's lush and beautiful and full of energy. I'm very impressed with this album.
God, what the fuck was I doing not listening to this? Wall to wall doesn't stop, full on energy, lot of different sounds that blend together nicely. This is just good music, and a lot of it, and a lot of different types.
How do you blend so many genres so seamlessly on your debut album? 9/10
OK, OK, here we go: Janelle Monáe! I've heard quite a bit of talk in my time about how big she should've been — or maybe I'm just remembering something Todd In The Shadows said a decade ago, I'uno... But here we go! The Randomizer finally got me off my ass to actually listen to one of her records! I finally got to see if it lived up to all of my expectations! And I suppose that was my problem initially: my expectations. Within the first five tracks, I wasn't really impressed, honestly? I thought what I was hearing was good, and I loved how cinematically it was presenting itself with the orchestral overture and everything, but... I'unno. I got myself figuring maybe the problem was me; that I generally just don't really jive with much modern music (me calling the nearly 15 year old album "modern"). Like, I'd give it a 4 for how good I thought I was, but I'd hafta shrug and admit that this "progressive soul, alt. R&B" thing wasn't really my bag. But then "Cold War" hit. And when specifically that guitar solo happened... **Goodness**. "Cold War", to my ears, is the single best song here. By itself, it rocketed this album straight to a 5, and from then on it never gave me a single reason to put it back below. Like, I really can't emphasize how much "Cold War" (and, by extension, "Come Alive") did to my enjoyment of this album. Jus', these hard-driving-ass psychedelic soul rock songs... Gawd, they're fuckin' amazing. And I **will** swear to emphasize how amazing they are. They're good enough to warrant it. After the album ended, I replayed the record side with those songs, and these days I rarely replay **any** part of an album after I'm done listening to it. I also occasionally make a deal about how I'm gonna revisit some albums but then never do, but here, legit, I can see "Cold War" becoming one of my most listened to songs of March — or maybe any other song on the album as I keep listening to it because of "Cold War". Honestly, yeah, I don't know why Janelle Monáe wasn't a bigger hitmaker. I can totally hear these songs killing on the Hot 100. I mean, can you imagine a world where some of these songs had made an impact? Seriously, the only place "Cold War" charted was in **Belgium** of all places. Honest to goodness... All this, and I didn't even have a damn clue what was supposed to be happening in the plot. Goodness me. Jus'... Damn, Monáe are hella good songwriters, and Monáe herself is a damn good singer. Goodness, I just can't think of another album where I've gotten this big of a "Why the hell weren't you listening to this before now?" kick in the ass. This isn't even really a review as much as this is a stream of consciousness about how incredulous I am about how I hadn't given it a chance before. So, like I said, it's a 5. A big-ass 5 all the way down. I don't even know what else to say except to re-emphasize that I was a fool for not getting to this sooner. Hell, I should actually, legit, no-forgetitng-about-it go and listen to her other albums, and I can kick myself even harder for missing all of **that** stuff, too. All in all, not a bad way to end February. Goodness me.
Good lord, what a stellar listening experience. Solid 5 Stars.
It’s a 10. It's probably higher, honestly. Janelle Monae, Kansas City, Kansas native & featured artist on “We Are Young” by fun – also one of the pop artists of the 2010s that’s eluded me. Before listening to this, the only other track I really knew her for was “Make Me Feel”, but I always told myself I’d listen to her someday. Today is that day, and today is the day that truly proves that procrastination is a sin sent by the Devil, or whatever another religious equivalent is, or just whatever bad forces exist in the world. I was absolutely blown away by this album – this jumps right into the top 5 of all the albums we’ve gotten so far, in terms of ones that are new to me. I haven’t been ranking them like that, but an album like this makes me wish I were. Right from the concert hall intro, letting you know you’re in for a play and a massive concept album, especially with the orchestration, it sets a tone that immediately goes into overdrive – those first 4 tracks are an electric experience that I cannot begin to describe, especially once “Locked Inside” drops the sample of the Rock With You drums. From there, it’s all about the worldbuilding, complemented by a myriad of genres and styles that are too immense to count, yet so perfectly executed. There’s some fabulous lyricism throughout this album, and while the story is hard to follow without really devoting energy to it, the broad strokes that get painted of this world shine through and make the narrative between Sir Greendown & Cindi (aka 57821) become obvious through just the music alone. I have always been a firm believer that lyricism matters, but I love an album where the music alone can tell a story like this. The lyrics simply enhance the experience, and I think they work in harmony in a way that very few albums with this intent & of this caliber have been able to match. Janelle Monae is unbelievable, truly. Her vocals on this album are a gift, and she showcases them often enough that, by the end, it’s easy to take them for granted when she hits the final notes to close the album. I truly cannot praise them enough, nor can I praise this album enough – this is the type of shit that is right down my alley, and my procrastination towards her feels like a 15-year-stretch of wasted time. This is an unbelievable debut studio album, on par with (and probably surpassing, for my tastes) “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”, and just as impactful. Or so you’d think, anyway. The GRAMMYs rewarded Lauryn Hill in spades in 1999, and for this… they fucking let Usher’s Raymond v. Raymond beat this out for “Best Contemporary R&B Album”. Criminal on a level only matched by Macklemore somehow winning over good kid, m.A.A.d city, and arguably even worse. Past that, this album feels… underrated, somehow? Not many plays on Spotify, at least relative to what it feels like it should have given the quality here. For my money’s worth, I think this album will get the recognition it someday deserves, and Janelle Monae, by extension, who’s still chasing a damn GRAMMY. Just on a first listen alone, this gets a retroactive bump to one of the top 5 albums of the 2010s for me. Absolutely unbelievable – a 10/10, maybe a 15, maybe a 20, who really knows? It’s off the number scale for me, and it’s by far one of my favorite albums to discover on this list. An absolute delight, a long overdue introduction for me, and what will certainly be my catalyst to dive deeper into her discography. I’m out of adjectives – just listen to it. It’s beyond worth it. It’s a masterpiece, and I don’t use that word lightly.
Certified bangers. Added to my collection, loved thism
QUEEN.
What a thrill ride this album is. Just constantly interesting stuff going on, taking you in different directions and everything just sounds amazing. Loved this.
Brilliant selection of eclectic songs. Hadn't heard of her before.
Scintillating stuff, one of my fav albums from the last 15(!) years and probably my no.1 concept double album...Metropolis meets Afrofuturism with nice nods to Philip K. Dick throughout .
Well that was freaking amazing. No notes. 5/5 Highlights: Cold War Oh, Maker Mushrooms & Roses Say You’ll Go
Janelle Monáe’s “The ArchAndroid” is a watershed album in R&B, standing out for its innovation and boldness. Released in 2010, Monáe blends diverse genres and styles, incorporating elements of funk, soul and electronic music, creating an unmistakable sound that redefines the boundaries of the genre. Her ability to tell complex stories, combined with a striking visual aesthetic, has made her stand out as a singular artist. Since then, no one has reinvented R&B with the same vision and depth that Monáe has brought, solidifying her place as a pioneer in contemporary music.
A concept album done right. Most are bloated, meandering, or lack cohesion even if their ideas are novel, but The ArchAndroid--particularly for 2010--is focused, streamlined, and tight in the ways that concept albums often fail to capture. Monáe sacrifices very little, if any, of her intention in the pursuit of crafting a sonically diverse, engaging, thoughtful record. Perhaps most striking to me is the ease with which Monáe inhabits and transitions between multiple genres and vocal styles. It isn't often that an artist is limited not by their talent but by the scope of their vision, and the fact that this vision doesn't seem compromised at all speaks to her skill and the skill of the musicians that work with her. Listen to this.
This is a cool freakin album. I didn't always pick up on the lyrical themes but I definitely noticed it at different points in the album. What I did pick up on was the sweeping, full sound from start to finish. It wasn't always the same sound but there was a constant medley of instruments, from the classical and/or orchestral stylings of Suite II and III Overtures and Say You'll Go to the soulful and jazzy stylings of Neon Valley Street and BabopbyeYa to the funky big band stylings of Dance or Die, Locked Inside, Cold War, and Tightrope. She kept changing moods and tempos without sounding out of step. She can both rap and sing...well. I was really impressed. And then there was Come Alive - what a banger. Not the first time on the album she had killer guitar licks or bass lines but it's oh so glorious. I couldn't get enough of it. One knock is the finishing - there are some abrupt switches from song to song even when the sound of one leads into the next. Still, this album was like Michael Jackson meets David Bowie with its high energy and varied styles embedded into a science fiction fantasy. Even a bit of Prince with her different vocal deliveries (for example, Faster vs. Mushrooms and Roses vs. Wondaland vs. BabopbyeYa). I didn't realize artists were still this ambitious and creative.
Crazy diverse album. When I first listened to it I had never heard a Janelle Monáe song before, and I became an instant fan after this. So fucking catchy all over the place while still leaving some quite cool experimentation
I wasn’t expecting to like this and I loved it… except for the few weird bits
Wow, I really loved this album. Definitely one of the best albums that's been new to me. I especially loved Faster.
This is a nearly perfect album shimmering with genre bending energy and so much soul. There's talent all over here and amazingly focused collaborators with the sole exception of "Of Montreal" who rarely lands for me. I'm going to give it 5/5 though as even that can't knock the momentum loose on this album. If Monae were to pitch the idea for this album to a room of industry insiders, who would say this is a good idea? This is a contemporary pop album that is a mishmash of throwback psychedelic soul featuring a woman who is styled after even further back throwback styles such as Metropolis-esque 1920's deco. It's clear that nobody really knew how to "sell" this album but fortunately Monae is a powerhouse in her own right while inspiring the belief in some other powerful friends. Good times.
Truly on another level, one of the strongest albums ever! I've heard this a million times and it still sounds amazing, in the production, her vocals, and the sheer variety of genres explored. I love this album, one of the best to ever do it!! 5
Excelent album, I love Tightrope
Loved this, she’s just amazing.
Damn, what an excellent package this album is! Making your debut studio album a concept album feels like a risky move, but Janelle and company pulled it off rather flawlessly. There are so many different genres across this thing which helps keep things feeling fresh, and the instrumentation is crisp and tight - and Janelle herself brings her A game on vocals. The collabs with Big Boi and of Montreal also deserve a shoutout; both very nice additions.
Sick almost did a double
9/10 banger
Satte 4 först. Insåg efter några dagar att de mina två första album (Monaé och Vaughan) var solklara 5:or i jämförelse m övriga album.
there is, Pawsibly, a slight wonkiness to the cluster of breathlessly propulsive tracks near the front and slower more soaky tracks near the back, but thats something to see if its smoothed out on future listens i think. otherwise, maybe literally perfect HFJFSHJFS its a crime its been so long since i listened to this...perfectly produced, perfectly performed, feels enduringly like one of the biggest records ever made yet remains entirely distinguishable and cohesive, finds its stunning afrofuturist class warfare aesthetic thruline between the base elements of all the different styles in the pot here and builds some of the craziest shit ive ever heard on that baseline. i never heard their other (increasingly divisive) records but i think i trust the vision here more than i trust the taste of music nerds. amazing, placetaking, placemaking, placeremaking music
I remember there being a lot of critical discourse in the late 2010s that genre was dead. The existence of this album proves that such discourse was at least several years too late.
Claire de Lune inverted the way it was was an absolutely brilliant choice
Wow, that was an actually great album! For some reason I expected a classic, modern rap album, which I'm not so fond of, but instead I listened to a really catchy, Childish Gambino-like r'n'b record. I actually never even knew that Janelle Monae was a singer before she started her acting career, so this album was full of surprises. I basically liked the whole side A of the record, which happens only with great releases. Great style, very enjoyable singing/rapping by Janelle, honestly great music. Something more modern to have in my vinyl collection.
Fuck yeah. I slowly discovered over the last decade. I heard Tightrope and Dance or Die and loved those tracks. Eventually I listened all the way through and was shocked by the variety of styles here and Monae’s commitment to each. Add the overall concept of the album, and it’s really a cool piece of work!
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.
When I saw the cover my first thought was "ugh, an R&B album" (not exactly my favourite genre). I launched the album nonetheless. I rapidely understood my mistake. Comes Cold War, and I'm totally won over. Comes Come Alive, and I know I'll relisten to this. It's very diverse (too diverse?) but it's full of (good) ideas, she's clearly not afraid of exploring uncharted territories and of unholly alliance between genres.
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
I listened to this a few days ago and really liked the whole album. This was a pleasure to listen to and will put it in my listening rotation.
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.
Wow! What a surprise masterpiece
Wow, flat out wow; I was floored by this album. I've never listened to Janelle Monáe, learned she has a small part in We Are Young by fun. And I know she was in Glass Onion as an actress, but damn is her own music the standout for me. This album opens with one of the tightest 6 songs groupings I've heard on this playlist, between Dance or Die through Tightrope. Not a miss in there, and so many of my favorite musical elements are present. Deep grooves, good instrumentals, great voice. There's even a pysch rock track in Neon Valley Sign. Even the back half of this album is rock solid. This is one of the easiest 5s I've given here.
The orchestra, the melodies, the hip hop, the piano, the guitar......Janelle's voice. Was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did!
An absolute journey from start to finish. So many styles well executed, great vocal performance and never really lost steam.
I saw Janelle Monáe in a relatively small venue around the time this album came out, she is on another level in terms of showmanship and musical talent. Happy to be reminded of her and will go and explore the albums I missed in the meantime!
Cyberfunk epic 🤖 genre-blending delight 🫧
I was honestly shocked by how much I liked this. An absolutely stunning album and probably one of the best concept albums I’ve ever heard. I tend to not like much music from the 2010s and beyond, so I’m glad I gave this a real listen. “Faster,” “Cold War,” and “Come Alive (War of the Roses)” were some of my favorite tracks, but everything here is great and contributes to the whole of the album. It just seamlessly flows, and the production is top notch. Janelle Monae is so talented. Wow.
I could own this on vinyl
YESSSSSSS!!!!!! One of my fave artists ever I’m so glad this showed up
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Wow. This was so much better than I was expecting. I had heard of Janelle before but had unfairly written her off as just another pop tart, without listening to her. A concept album with a wide variety of styles and influences with great production, sign me up.
I'm struggling to get over how diverse this album is. Hearing the first song I think I know what I'm getting myself into, but that couldn't have been further from the truth. It's all kinds of things and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The music is great, the production is great. I've listened to it 3 times already and can't really get enough. Great stuff.
Fantastic.
Very good!
Very Cool. 5
Fun, creative, and sexy in only the way Janelle Monae can make it.
Eclectic but awesome!
I hadn't heard this one before. I was drumming the steering wheel and nodding my head all the way through. Great sound, variety and creativity. Janelle has a solid voice, too. All of that equals five stars for me.
Janelle Monae somehow seems like she's doing what naturally comes next after all that has come before and also like she's doing something completely novel... which is one way to describe the avant garde, I suppose. LOVE.
4.5 stars. Really liked this, will be coming back to it. Felt like an album and not just an amalgamation of tracks. Enjoyed the hints of classical/orchestral music. Standout is "Cold War".
Just fantastic, will be listening multiple times
Wow wow wow I've never heard this before and I loved it so much! Thanks for reminding me why I am still doing this project 3 years later. I'm so tempted to listen through the whole thing again today, but I'm a day behind and gotta go on.
A fabulous album!! It has been missing from my life.
Following Pink Floyd's The Wall yesterday, this is another epic. There's such a wide variety of styles, different eras and influences evoked, that there have been times when I had to check to see that it was still the same album. It's by turn serious and silly ("I think I lost my underpants." What?!) Monáe's the real deal.
I saw the video “Tightrope” sometime in 2010 and loved it, so I sought out this album. What a creative, interesting, and wonderful thing it was! That it is packed with banging dance songs was not a big surprise. It’s sweeping, epic nature was. The symphonic pieces throughout, psychedelia, songs that sound like they stepped out of a classic movie… all on a wild journey into the future. I don’t think 2010 got any better than this. Every time I listen to this I’m just in awe. Fantastic!
i vaguely remember my mom introducing me to this album in middle school and while i've kept a few tracks on heavy rotation, it's been a long time since i revisited the whole thing...what a huge mistake on my part cause this is soooo good. beautiful arthurian fairytale all mixed up with cyberfunk excellence. and the STRINGS!! faves: sir greendown, come alive, wondaland
A great concept album! Love the combination of sci-fi theme and funky beats and even occasional rock like tones.
I’ve been meaning to listen, but hadn’t gotten around to it yet. I didn’t know what to expect, but I completely fell in love. Excellent fusion of style, technique, and genre with seamless transitions. Do I get extra credit for immediately listening to Metropolis first, then delving into ArchAndroid? I just couldn’t start with part 2.
This was fantastic, great energy it, she can really sing, the guests are on it just long enough without overpowering the song. It's super varied with some electronic/synth stuff going on. One or two duff tracks but hits more than is missed
Amazing album. Great to listen as a whole straight thru. Each song blends into another. I just loved it. I’m going to listen to everything she has ever done.
It might be stylistically unfocused and maybe the themes are a little bit light but the songs and performances are top notch.
It’s so good. Janelle Monae is so good. Been a while since I’d listened to this one in full. I’ve been going for Age of Pleasure for my Janelle fix recently because I’m a sexy little boy by the pool, so I’m very happy to be made to go back to this again. I’d forgotten how good it is (it’s so good).
Voice of an angel
"The ArchAndroid" by Janelle Monáe is a groundbreaking concept album that seamlessly blends genres such as R&B, funk, soul, and electronic music while telling a captivating science fiction narrative. Released in 2010, the album serves as the second installment of Monáe's Metropolis concept series, exploring themes of identity, freedom, love, and revolution within a dystopian future society. Here's an in-depth review focusing on lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with the album's pros and cons. **Lyrics:** The lyrics on "The ArchAndroid" are rich with symbolism and imagery, drawing from science fiction tropes to explore deeper social and political themes. Monáe's storytelling prowess shines through each track, as she weaves together a narrative about an android named Cindi Mayweather who becomes a messianic figure in a futuristic society. Songs like "Cold War" and "Tightrope" feature empowering and introspective lyrics that resonate with listeners, while tracks like "Dance or Die" and "Wondaland" showcase Monáe's playful and imaginative lyricism. **Music:** The musicality of "The ArchAndroid" is nothing short of breathtaking. Monáe effortlessly blends elements of funk, soul, pop, and even classical music to create a sound that is uniquely her own. The album's orchestral arrangements, intricate melodies, and infectious rhythms keep listeners engaged from start to finish. Monáe's dynamic vocal range and impeccable delivery further elevate the music, making each song a memorable experience. **Production:** The production on "The ArchAndroid" is top-notch, thanks in part to collaborators like Nate "Rocket" Wonder and Chuck Lightning. The album features lush instrumentation, layered vocals, and expertly crafted soundscapes that transport listeners to the futuristic world of Metropolis. From the funky grooves of "Tightrope" to the haunting melodies of "Mushrooms & Roses," every aspect of the production is meticulously crafted to perfection. **Themes:** Thematically, "The ArchAndroid" explores a wide range of topics, including identity, freedom, oppression, and rebellion. Through the character of Cindi Mayweather, Monáe tackles issues of race, gender, and class, offering a thought-provoking commentary on the human experience. The album's futuristic setting allows Monáe to address these themes in a way that feels both relevant and timeless, resonating with listeners on a deeper level. **Influence:** "The ArchAndroid" has had a significant influence on the music industry, paving the way for artists to experiment with genre-blending and storytelling in their own work. Monáe's bold vision and uncompromising creativity have inspired a new generation of musicians to push the boundaries of what is possible in music. Additionally, the album's themes of empowerment and social justice continue to resonate with listeners around the world, cementing its status as a modern classic. **Pros:** 1. **Innovative Concept:** "The ArchAndroid" stands out for its ambitious concept and imaginative storytelling, setting it apart from other albums in the genre. 2. **Diverse Musicality:** The album's eclectic mix of genres and styles keeps listeners engaged and showcases Monáe's versatility as an artist. 3. **Thought-Provoking Themes:** Through its exploration of identity, freedom, and rebellion, "The ArchAndroid" prompts listeners to think critically about the world around them. 4. **Impeccable Production:** The album's stellar production quality ensures that every track sounds polished and cohesive, adding to the overall listening experience. **Cons:** 1. **Complexity:** Some listeners may find the album's dense concept and intricate storytelling difficult to follow on first listen. 2. **Length:** At 18 tracks, "The ArchAndroid" can feel overwhelming at times, especially for listeners who prefer shorter, more concise albums. In conclusion, "The ArchAndroid" is a masterful work of art that continues to captivate and inspire audiences nearly a decade after its release. With its innovative concept, diverse musicality, and thought-provoking themes, the album solidifies Janelle Monáe's place as one of the most visionary artists of her generation. Despite its complexity and length, "The ArchAndroid" remains a must-listen for anyone interested in experiencing music at its most creative and boundary-pushing.
This album is already a 5 in my book. ArchAndroid was the first Janelle Monae album to fall on my radar, but I was an instant fan. I love just how much you can hear the influences of George Clinton, Prince and other Atlanta hip-hop artists on this record. It's not perfect, and I think as a whole Dirty Computer might be a better album, but ArchAndroid has my favorite songs of Janelle's and they're good enough to carry the whole album to a 5 for me.
Pefections
Falling for Janelle!
Really good discovery. This album has everything : soulful chorus, r'n'b like singing, electronic ambient synths, really good compositions. 9/10
Some parts of it were really something, especially the first few songs at the start melding with each other and the final two. I didn't enjoy some of the songs in the second half but still worth 5/5 because it's legitimately awesome.
Loved this. So original and fresh, and what a project! I am now listening my way through the rest of her catalog.
This is music as art, but super accessible. Big fan!
Love this album.
I was only familiar with the song Tightrope before listening to the whole album. It’s fantastic, I love it.
Wow, this was really unexpected. I’ve heard about the record but to understand how good it is you need to listen to it. I loved it!
was not expecting this much awesome-ness
Janelle Monae is amazing. So many bops on this album. Her ability to switch genres, vocal quality, and style is top notch. Best songs on the album are "Locked Inside," "Cold War," and "Oh, Maker."
Masterpiece from start to finish.
Gorgeous. Loved most of the songs and the android concept comes through in a way that doesn't default to a robotic sound.
A musical masterpiece!
I do love an orchestral opening, super crafty stuff, lots of different genres. All sorts going on
OK WHOA im loving this so far, what an opening few tracks! it goes into like a folky singing style even shes so awesome then Come Alive shes sooo versatile OK soooo cool so many great songs on here and no skips for me
ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVOURITES. ‘In Rainbows’ yesterday and this today! Interestingly, this was the first CD I ever ordered online. This album is what got me to explore beyond rock and pop into genres like funk and soul… I had heard of the album before signing up to this project and found it an interesting concept but never listened. When I realised it was on this list, as soon as I got home I switched it on and I was bewitched from the start of ‘Suite II Overture’ (being a classical music fan). But I was entranced by the entirety of what followed… I think I listened to Suite II three or four times consecutively because I couldn’t get enough. Then I listened to suite III. Still amazing, but probably because it was the second suite I heard, it didn’t quite match the first one. Everyone should listen to this absolutely fabulous album which can be read as an exploration of how the contemporary Western world treats minorities, including women and people who aren’t white, straight and cisgender. Given that Janelle falls into all of these categories (although they no longer identify as a woman), it is fascinating to hear their story. A first-person perspective on the timeless tale of falling in love with somebody that you shouldn’t, but with the twist of an extended android metaphor. Cindy Mayweather and Sir Anthony Greendown fall in love clandestinely, yet only Cindy gets threatened with execution. A familiar narrative? One of the greatest albums ever conceived, in my (contrastingly) humble opinion. 10/10.
Janelle Monae is just a different species from the rest of us, we're just here living our humdrum lives and she's out there absolutely LIVING. Nothing is beyond her level and this album, this DEBUT album, just gives and gives...
This is why i'm doing this challenge. Albums i didn't know existed, and that i would have walked past 1000 times. Absolutely fantastic listen. All over the map and in a very good way.
Very fun thanks
9/10 I’ve listened to Dirty Computer much more than this, so after a while this was a bit of a revelation. Superb. It clicked this time that the album is basically a 70s rock concept album but with soul vibes and modern production & delivery Both halves excellent, the more uptempo/futurist first half has more of the bangers but I think the more downtempo rock/R&B second half plays better to me Some of the guitar stuff is wonderful Not a no skip album - the Of Montreal track would be straight-up bad if not for the excellent production. Best: Tightrope
One of my favorites
This album is where we see the beginnings of the genius that is Janelle Monae. It's difficult to put into words the affect she has (and will have) on music and the energetic vibrations of Earth. Listen, it's worth your time.
Wonderful
Excellent! Fun, original, easy to get into.
There's a reason she was loved by Prince. A true heir. Original, funky, moving, it's everything you could want, plus perfectly chosen collaborators in Big Boi and Of Montreal.
An amazing talent. Great range in her voice, and creative use of multiple musical styles.
"ArchAndroid" by Janelle Monáe earns a sleek, five-star salute for its genre-defying grandeur. Imagine a musical rocket ride, captained by the fearless Monáe, through a constellation of soul, funk, and future-pop. This album isn't just a collection of tracks; it's a manifesto of musical liberation, where every note pulses with creativity and every song stretches the boundaries of imagination. Monáe proves herself not just a singer, but a storyteller, an innovator, and a visionary, effortlessly guiding us from the dance euphoria of "Tightrope" to the lush, introspective landscapes of "Neon Valley Street." With "ArchAndroid," Monáe doesn't walk the line between genres; she dances over it, inviting us to leap along with her into a world where music knows no limits.
What an album, really diverse music, singing styles, emotions, beats, moods and the voice is also really good loved all of the variety in one single album
I've loved this album so much since it first came out when I was 13! Easy 5/5 and started my love affair with Janelle Monae. Such a beautiful, ambitious, eclectic concept album that manages to do so much and feel so timeless in the process.
One of my favorites so far. Production is clean and her voice is amazing. The psychedelic voice effects on some songs are awesome
Lovely album with beautiful flow - not normally my choice but I am pleasantly surprised. This is a very joyful album with great ups and downs. Feels like a much larger story is being told. operatic and cinematic references.
A truly stunning debut. Clear signs of Brillance to come.
Great album. Lots of cool stuff hear
New artist for me. Really enjoyed this one. Very varied, will listen again.
Really enjoyed the album. Cold War is a great single and the Overture tracks were unexpected surprises.
Incredible production and dynamic arrangements, to say nothing of Janelle Monáe's wild vocal performances.
Monáe #3, after Dirty Computer & The Age of Pleasure BUT- I’m going to make it #4, by listening to the Metropolis EP beforehand :) Apparently that’s the first chapter of this project, and the Arch-Android is the next 2 parts. While the EP was a nice listen, AA is a brave step forward, and takes its sounds, themes & bombast to new heights. To be honest, "Suite 2" felt like the real album and "Suite 3" a victory lap. While it's certainly indulgent to a degree, it's also a joyous listen & celebration of Monae's influences. I love the unhinged theatre kid energy on display in this album. The worst thing about this album is that it took me 14 years to get around to hearing it HL: "Dance or Die", “Locked Inside”, "Sir Greendown", “Cold War”, "Tightrope", “Come Alive”, “57821” February 19, 2024
First new album I've heard that left me genuinely excited to hear more from the artist. Janelle Monae is a huge artist that I never bothered trying, and I'm kicking myself now because this was excellent. I'll absolutely be returning, and I hope the rest of her work is as good.
Going into this album, I was expecting a great vocal performance from Monae and I absolutely got one. This album sounds so diverse throughout and it didn’t become dull at all despite the hour run time. I didn’t love the vocal effect on Mushrooms and Roses, but the song itself was good and I appreciate the experimentation. There were no other issues I had with this album. I am amazed.
This girl is talented. No two songs sound alike. Touches every genre and absolutely crushes it every time. Monáe and her team put in the work and it shows.
Awesome , will come back to
This album slaps
A revelation. I hadn’t known much about Janelle Monae beyond her pop hits (mainly features) and her (middling, to be honest) acting. This is surreal and operatic, science fiction and pop and everything. Immediately one of my favorite concept albums ever. Excellent production, amazing vocals and lyrics, and the writing is just great. I want to see the film of this album, which is the highest praise I think I can give. The only sad part is that this is a weekend album so I have to wait until Monday to actually send this review.
absolutely incredible visionary album
This blew my mind. This album has a ridiculous concept that was somehow executed. I think this album will age well. Don’t listen to any individual songs, but when you have the time to binge this album, it’s like watching the strangest show you’ve ever not seen. This was an absurd idea for an album that turned out as well as it could have. This is one that I still think about when I ask myself which albums changed how I see music. This is music you can see. It’s not perfect, but that’s kind of why I like it too
This automatically gets a five as the blueprint for my college aesthetic and early gender fuckery murmurings.
2/12/24. Wow, I’ve slept on Janelle’s work for way too long. This album blew me away and loved every second! I can almost consider it a modern classic.
Wow. How have I never heard this. Its a flowing masterpiece taking you on a musical journey through whatever style of sound and music she felt like carving out in each piece. So friggin awesome.
Wow. This is what I'm here for. I've heard of Janelle Monae but just assumed her music was outside my genre interests. This album is fantastic. Will be checking out more of her work for sure.
Nice to re-listen. Roses and Mushrooms stood out, and it starts sooo strong.
This album is as interesting as it is impressive. So many songs jump across genres and have such a feel-good energy. Ranging from something fit as a James Bond movie or a shonen anime intro, then off to a classical piece or some silly quirky fairy-like song...all while having an almost seamless transition between it all. I don't know what you call all of that, but I like it. I will admit when it showed up with 18 tracks and I knew nothing I took a big sigh, but now I've listened to it twice so far. Favorite track: "Come Alive (War of the Roses)" the first time, "Cold War" the second time through. 5/5
BEST FRUIT FUSION ALBUM CRYSTAL AHH TORNADO AHH ALBUM I LOVE IGNSK MUCH
Beautiful, clicks all the ticks and her voice is beautiful
What a wild album. I love how hard to define it is - elements of pop, R&B, electronic music, and rock all blurred together. Somehow it all works though and blends into a really phenomenal album.
Has a classic funk sound married to a very unique and inventive style. Love the themes the how beautiful and fun this was. Very enjoyable listen and will be returning.
Omg Janelle Monaeeeee
Sorprendente. Fácil de escuchar y entretenida. Mucho ritmo. Me ha gustado.
What a musical journey. I heard 1 song from this album before, and missed out on so much until now!!
Weird pop, r&b, but very enjoyable
* faster * Locked inside * Oh, Maker * Actually, all of it!
incredibly wide breadth of influences and styles... I probably won't listen to most of it again, but the talent to put all of that together is amazing
This was dope. Super cool beat and mix of vibes
Surprisingly enjoyable pop record. Rich mix of sounds including pop, funk, hiphop and electronic. For 2010 it sounds slightly ahead of its time. Great voice. 8/10
Great first half, some of the tracks of the second drag for a little too long or just are not as strong. However, this album is immaculate and I cannot believe how long it has taken for me to listen to Janelle Monae. They are a genuine artist with so many strong suits, especially musically. This album is an 18-track space opera epic which delves into social commentary about revolutions, oppressive governments, and liberation. The songs have such a strong groove, and I found myself being completely stunned by how great these songs are.
This album kicked ass. Listen to the whole thing, not just songs.
Top ten favorite album of all time. What a delight to see it on this list.
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous album. Monae's passionate vocals, the soaring guitars, the swelling stings. All gorgeous. Love how the electronic elements blend with the soulful ones and add to the album's overall sci-fi concept. Back in 2018 I had heard Monae's, then new, Dirty Computer. I don't remember much about it, but if ArchAndroid is anything to go off of, it's due for a revisit.
ArchAndroid, Janelle Monáe (2010) Suite II Overture - fraught, ethereal Dance or Die -- a bit of Santana's beat, electric cool, dense rap lyric (need to read lyric) Faster - pop beat dance tune, nice lyric & melody Locked Inside - intro beat reminds me of Michael Jackson (Thriller album) Sir Greendown -- melody tempo like 60s teen lover songs, ~ dreamer Cold War - bold Ka-BOOM dense lyric ballad, This is a cold war Do you know what your're fighting for? (need to read lyric), fast tempo (disco) Thugga Massina -- blues-y male rap, down-beat tempo, electric synth melody -- didn't work for me Tightrope - pop rap upbeat tempo contrasts with lyric, dance tempo, brass! in interlude (horns -- sweet!) Neon Gumbo -- electric entro, lyric in tongues? perfect track title Oh, Maker -- (laugh) show tune intro, oom-pah-pah beat, musical Come Alive -- another show tune style (electric turbo Streisand, Stoney End) Mushrooms & Roses -- stoned effect (vocals thru special equip) slow elec amusing lyric, her name is ...uh... Suite III Overture -- Broadway expressive opening & chorus (like Moon River in full Wonderland livery -- Judy Garland, Rogers & Hammerstein Neon Valley Street -- sweet love song, slow dance rhythm, rap interlude Make the Bus -- neon sound & lyric, pop dance tune "won' t make the bus" -- bit of Queen (rhapsody) Wonderland -- another etherial track, amusing, reminds my of Knopfler's way of writing offbeat humor into serious criticism 57821 -- lovely, multi-voice (echo) lead, sweet & tough with great melody Say You'll Go -- soft melody & voice contrast with gritty lyric BaBopByeYa -- broadway show tune intro (with horns!) -- show tune style lyric -- orchestral, with a tenor clarinet, harp, great piano, violin -- and rap! Glad I did not die without hearing this album.
AMAZING: this has been one of the greatest albums on this list I have ever listened to. Quite literally a modern classic. The amount of different, exciting an eye opening sounds included on this record were smth else. The creativity was unmatched, vocals were some of the best, she really put her whole pussy into this.
Major Janelle Monae fan, this concept album links into her other work thematically and I LOVE the genre hopping. Sir Greendown and Oh, Maker are my faves and this is audacious music. But the whole thing soars. Masterpiece
Loved it!!
This album was fantastic from start to finish. I knew nothing about the artist or the genres I was venturing into, but this album didn’t disappoint and kept me on my toes the entire time. -Klep
It is a brilliant album, and I can kick myself for waiting 14 years to listen to it.
fav song: dance or die, faster, cold war!, 57821 fantastisch album
This absolutely blew my mind. I know one or two Janelle Monae songs but nothing from this album. I feel like you could describe this album as something close to psychedelic progressive soul. There's themes of afrofuturism and cyberpunk going on, which gels incredibly well with the almost impossible combination of musical influences. Despite the myriad of genre influence - everything from folk, hip-hop, glam rock, soul, and pop, all thrown together in some psychedelic soup - the whole thing feels so cohesive. Most tracks transition seamlessly into the next, really solidifying the feeling of a journey this album takes you on. And the whole thing manages to be just so much FUN! Even though we're only ~10 years out from this things release, it 100% has the makings of a timeless classic.
A voice for the ages, and she reminds you! Completely lush arrangements carry you from song to song. Even the breakout single “Tightrope” fits beautifully alongside crooners like BaBopByeYa and Oh, Maker. Exquisite and FUN!
Wait this was excellent. Loved the blending of electronic and pop with classic pieces. Wonderfully composed.
Wasn't sure if I would be onboard til about midway through the third track and then I gave myself over to it. Not sure whether this is considered their proper debut or if that belongs to the chase suite, but this is such a confident, locked in record. Stevie's influence obvious (and welcome) in Locked Inside. Got a diverse mix of styles overall, from slow and psychadelic to retrosoul to dancey rock to bedroom pop to the theatrical, tied together with the afro futuristic Metropolis narrative framework. Monáe's vocals are strong as hell. A little weird how often they call themselves a schizo, even if in character? This is a light 5 for me, no one track completely blows me away but as a cohesive album I can't really fault it. It knows what it is and executes on that - I doubt I'm squarely in their target audience anyway
At first I was going to give this a 4 because I couldn’t follow the story but after a second listen it deserves a five. I still can’t follow the story but who cares. Janelle Monae is immensely talented and like Beyonce on Lemonade created an album where the songs are in different generes but she excels at them all. Sounds like she’s pulling from OutKast, Prince, Hendrix and the B-52s just to name a few. My favorites were “ColdWar”, “Tight Rope” (which I can’t believe wasn’t a bigger hit) and “Mushrooms and Roses”. Her 2018 album dirty computer would get a 5 from me too if the list lakers allowed non white British artists a second entry.
Wat een gaaf en divers album, echt een leuke toevoeging aan de lijst.
I really enjoyed this one, had only heard her on the Fun. song before, this is nothing like what I expected
Favorite tracks: Locked Inside, Tight Rope, O Maker, 57821 Rating: 5/5
Никита подговорил:)
I love this album, I initially had 5/18 songs saved for a few years now but after relistening I now have 9/18 songs saved. Every song has its place in the album and nothing is truly bad while the good songs are great. One of my favorite albums from the 2010s with neon valley street being one of my favorite songs of the 10s.
Wow dit was verbazingwekkend goed
Preceded the listen with The Chase, Janelle Monae made something really special with her 3 Suites. It pulls from the Afrofuturistic roots of artists like Sun Ra and translates it to a modern era while still capturing the political importance of it all. The songs are widely varied and it keeps you paying attention. I was delightfully surprised with this, and excited to give it another listen. A Popera
Good gracious. This thing damn near blew me away. Smooth, grandiose, fun, touching. If you had someone describe each song one at a time and line those descriptions up for you to read, you’d say “no way this will work.” But does it ever. A work of art.
love janelle but somehow have never heard this album and !!!!!! 🤩🤩 stylistically all over the place but in the best way and still feels cohesive and interesting. love it love it. i think i’d give it 4.5 if i could but i’ll round up for simping reasons (JANELLE I AM FREE ON THURSDAY)
Arch Android Suite 2 Love this album. Such an amazing start of a record with the the orchestra and I love the transitions especially in the first four songs. Also love how styles shift throughout songs like in O Maker. I didn’t remember the crazy rock vocals on Come Alive. Mushroom and Roses- psychedelic rock at its best Could’ve ended the album here and it would’ve been great and then there’s a whole other suite. Suite 3 Was also great. So much to talk about with all the songs and would definitely be interested in going deeper to learn about this record. This is a super eclectic and ambitious record and it is amazing that it all works and is still so cohesive.
This record is incredible, it encompasses so many genres and influences but somehow all works and never feels cluttered or forced. Total masterpiece from start to finish and so exciting to listen to.
So good. Cold War and oh namer were great. Love the vocal production
I came into this knowing next to nothing about Janelle Monáe and came out of it wondering where the fuck this has been my whole damn life, holy shit she's incredible!
Suite II Overture- 4.1/5 Dance or Die- 5/5 Faster- 4.8/5 Locked Inside- 4.7/5 Sir Greendown- 4.5/5 Cold War- 4.8/5 Tightrope- 5/5 Neon Gumbo- N/A Oh Maker- 4.6/5 Come Alive (The War of the Roses)- 5/5 Mushrooms & Roses- 4.6/5 Suite III Overture- 4.5/5 Neon Valley Street- 4.7/5 Make the Bus- 5/5 Wondaland- 5/5 57821- 4.6/5 Say You'll Go- 4.9/5 BabopbyeYa- 4.7/5 Total- 4.7/5
Just phenomenal. No words. This is just a fucking Masterpiece no room for discussion. This should be rated with the best pop albums of all time,while it shines equally as an all time concept creation. This should've revolutionized music, maybe it did?and I just don't realize it but. Wow.
She’s outstanding.
Playful basslines and strong vocals that cut through. Great mix of genres, including orchestral parts, rap, funk even some punk.
Really cool. Like really really cool. But, the Mona Lisa wouldn't benefit from being 15 feet wide. Learn to regulate girl. Edit it down. Still cool tho.
Amazing album. Love most of the songs passed by in a second.
Such a fantastic album. I love her later stuff. I need to get a copy of this on vinyl to add to my collection.
Brilliant all the way through
This album was incredible. No slippers and added a few
At first I thought it was just a pretty good, heavily produced pop album, but it really grew on me. There’s some experimentation, but it contributes to the entertainment value.
loved her in Glass Onion
Hey Barbara Broccoli, make BaBopByeYa the next James Bond theme song.
This was the coolest thing I’ve heard in a long time. I’d heard of Janelle Monáe’s name, but I did not know what to expect at all. It’s so inspiring!
LOVE
wow loved this
YES. THIS ALBUM. LOVE Janelle Monáe.
Tantalizing head nods of musical influence featuring groovy dance vibes. Fun and inspiring
Holy shit dude. I’m high
How is this gorgeous masterpiece already over a decade old?!? I was hoping Janelle was in here. Love that for us all.
The production value on this album is phenomenal. I really enjoyed listening to ArchAndroid. It was like a psychedelic, sci-fi trip meets the Great Gatsby... it was a blending of genre's I've never heard before. I really enjoyed the big orchestral sections and the "HUGE" cathedral choral sounds on the album. Definitely not a typical top-40 pop album. Pleasantly surprised and a good reason to continue to break out of the typical genres that I listen to that I think constitutes "Good Music."
I already knew and loved this album.
10
Echt bijzonder verrast door dit album. Ken haar wel, maar was altijd niet zo onder de indruk. Heb denk ik nooit echt goed geluisterd. Wát een album dit! De invloeden van andere artiesten zijn duidelijk zichtbaar, maar op geen enkel moment wordt het kopieren of vervelend. Als geheel is het gewoon compleet. Losse nummers heb ik niet opgeslagen, want het past echt in de context van het album. Dit album kan niet wegkomen met anders dan een 5, ik ga dit zeker vaker luisteren!
This was a seminal album. This deserves all the praise it gets and more. The vibes, the concept, the features, the variety, the fun. No notes.
I don't think this is my favorite of all time, but this might be a perfect album.
Вот это снос башни тотальный. Я думал, что это будет сюита про Линукс, но оказывается, был отчасти прав! Потрясает многообразие того, что получилось здесь сделать. И лаунж-соул вставочки есть, и какие-то симфонические интерлюдии, и РнБишечка (которую в целом даже в хип-хоп можно записывать). И всё это сделано с упором на футуристичность происходящего (ржу с этого всратого вокодера в Mushrooms & Roses; трек кстати напомнил предыдущий альбом). Длинновато, но сойдёт на самом деле. За эти приколюхи и эксперименты вокруг чёрной музыки мне всегда хочется 5 поставить.
Un impresionante disco de Soul, con una muy bien lograda estética retro-afrofuturista. Con una gran variedad de sonidos, Monáe se luce con una impresionante voz que resuena fuerte en instrumentaciones sumamente poderosas y pulcras. Un indispensable de la música afro-norteamericana del nuevo milenio.
This album, like Janelle Monae, does so much and does it all so well. you can hear all the influence from artists like Prince, Bowie, Jamiroquai, the beatles and so many more dripping through this. add to it Monae's incredible ability to weave genres with her lauryn hill-esque vocal abilities... whats not to love? Tightrope is the headliner for me, that song with of montreal is a bop, and she puts a cap on it by showcasing her jazz chops with bebopbyeya.
Fantastic album, from start to finish. Although I do slightly prefer Suite II. I recon Janelle Monae is her generation's answer to Prince.
Metropolis is one of my favourite films, and I love her experimental musical interpretation of it.
I feel like there’s an album that is released that redefines a genre of music every 7 years or so. This is that album. You can hear the RnB, jazz and hip hop per track but Janelle opened up this album with classical overture. The rest of the album just flows from track to track. This is indeed an infectious album and experimental. But Damn it works on so many levels. This isn’t an album that is ahead of it’s time, more in the sense of “why hasn’t this been done yet?”
10/10! Probably the best album I’ve listened to so far (including albums by the Beatles and Aretha Franklin). This is tremendously creative and expansive in sound for a debut album. You can tell Monae was inspired by older artists (felt like Parliament and Prince were inspirations here), but not so obviously to sound like a copycat. This album is all her own. Favorite songs: Oh, Maker (favorite overall), Sir Greendown, Dance or Die, Make the Bus (this one sounds unlike anything else on the album, kinda like a blend of Bowie and MGMT)
I wouldn't call this a music album. This is a performance. Ioved the energy and uniqueness of each song. It seriously felt like I was listening to Michael Jackson again. Loved everything about this album. Not quite pop, not quite jazz, not quite rock or rap or R&B. I'm definitely going to relisten to this album until I'm sick of it.
This was a fantastic album!
A rare instance where talent and mainstream pop appeal intersect in a once-in-a-generational phenomena. 5 unicorns out of 5 🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄
103 albums in and we have our first that I was not familiar with going in, and is going to end up as one of my favorite records going forward. Holy shit this is incredible. I'm falling behind because I keep listening to this on repeat instead. An eclectic masterpiece.
LOVE
How have I been sleeping on this for so long!? What a total surprise. I was so put off by how long it is but I loved EVERY SECOND. Even with 18 songs, none of them seem superfluous nor do they drag on at all. So much energy and originality and passion and fun. Great stuff.
SuperFunkyDanceAlicious! Elebenty stars.
Surprised me. Creative and different.
I hadn’t heard of Janelle Monáe before. Apple Music says that this is R&B/Soul, so I’m unsurprised about my lack of knowledge here as it’s one of my least listened to genres. I will say that I like this album cover though - it looks very cyber-Egyptian which is a term I can’t say I’ve ever used before. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: Dance Or Die, Cold War, 57821 Firstly, it’s definitely unfair to consider this as R&B/Soul as this covers such a broader scope than this. The classical music sections side lovely, and contrast great with the other tracks. Oh Maker shows clear influence from Kathy’s Song by Simon & Garfunkel which was an unexpected delight. Overall, this is quite easily my favourite album that comes under that R&B/Soul label. This was fantastic.
Loved this, immediately added to my library to relisten.
I love her.
One of the most ambitious and immaculate albums of the last decade, and Monáe’s magnum opus. High-concept genre-bending brilliance
That just blew me away! She takes a range of disparate genres, does them better than anybody else, and manages to make a cohesive piece of magic.
9 absolute vibes only slows down near the end I love this
One of the most creative and expansive pop albums I’ve heard. I knew and loved Tightrope, but the whole album took me fore a ride.
Heard a few of these songs before but the construction of the album is brand new to me and I love it. I’m a sucker for a good concept album and this is a great one; messianic android music made me want to rewatch Blade Runner. The sharp transition from classical music to techno/dance at the beginning first two songs really set the tone and greatly improved my Thursday morning sauna (pretty sure I even saw another dude at EoS bopping his head to my music). She blends the R&B, dance, and rock elements so well I struggle to put her neatly into a box and that is a great strength. Also she was surprisingly good in Glass Onion.
I’ve heard about this album plenty. Now I think I haven’t heard about it enough. Pop masterpiece
No idea what to expect, but... mind blown. So many obvious influences from Prince to Outkast, but a wild overall journey of sound in all its permutations. An amazing debut album to rival just about any other debut album. Quite the tour de force one might expect from a seasoned veteran.
So the theme of this album already was fascinating from the start. A concept album about a messianic android who falls in love with a human being, with themes of Science Fiction, Afrofuturism, Gender Roles, Sexuality, Social Issues. It's a tall order to go into this one blind. But this record is flat out tremendous. There's a wild array of genres all over this thing, from the hit single Tightrope which sounds like the production was lifted from Outkast and has a funky soul vibe, to the psychedelic ballad Mushroom and Roses with it's nods to Prince, to the new wave and gospel vibes Faster gives off, to Locked Inside which has a ton of Michael Jackson influence, to Oh Maker with almost a regal english sound, and don't forget the multiple orchestral arrangements peppered throughout. The record is the definition of genre hopping, but does so effortlessly and smooth like a newly paved highway, changing lanes into each track like they are all connected as one. Heck the first 4 tracks can be listened to without any break at all as they all flawlessly segue into each other. And Janelle is at the helm, crooning, belting, and working her vocals and charisma into every track extraordinarily well along with top notch production It's hard to believe this is technically a debut album for her, but it was, and I'm baffled she isn't more well known after this came out. I guess it was somewhat too experimental for the general public to latch onto. This just makes me want to listen to it again to see how much I missed.
I don't even know where to begin with this. One of the greatest debut albums of the 21st century.
I remember being absolutely blown away by this when I first heard it and it remains just as amazing today. It’s almost impossible to predict what genre is coming next on this constantly inventive and surprising album. Fantastic guitars and singing throughout Love this album
Ambitious debut album from Janelle Monáe. Such a wonderfully eclectic mix of music. I don’t normally like albums going over the hour mark but this one made use of all that time without ever getting stale.
Discovered Monae fairly randomly a few years back and this, album an absolute stand out which continues her themes and makes funky music with it.
The beginning of the album is excellent. I love: Dance or Die and Faster. Wondaland is also great. The album is innovative, diverse, and memorable. Wow
I knew of this album prior to getting it from not only my partner getting it and loving it, but also seeing it on multiple "best concept album" lists, and I definitely agree that it is amazing. The range of genres and making it all sound so good is fantastic, and the length isn't even noticeable, which is quite a feat with me. Amazing album.
Grea Album. First half is excellent.
I have been meaning to give Janelle Monáes music for the last few years now. I heard a bit of her second album once and was really intrigued. Crazy this is her debut LP. I know she has an EP and couple singles before this, but what a statement piece.
A ridiculously cool 2010 pop and soul album that I've somehow never heard before. In fact I've only recently found out who Janelle Monáe is, from her recent single "Lipstick Lover" getting a lot of love on BBC Radio 6. Back to ArchAndroid though - It's amazing how creative and vibrant this album is, giving off a real opera and musical kind of energy. It's just a great concept album that's varied enough to never go stale, and the instrumentation and production was simply excellent. Mix up generous measures of pop, soul, jazz, classical and electronic, sprinkle with some Broadway musical flair, and you have this amazing album. Favourite: Faster
one of the best albums of the last decade
riquísimo, lleno de música. súper alegre. merece ser su propio género de rocanrol.
i thought that the album started off quite slow but once it going it was one of the best albums i’ve ever listened to, loved this album 10/10