Reviews (page 5 of 15)
It's just so much going on
I was not expecting this to turn into a theatrical release
Such a fun album. Need to revisit to pick up on the concept
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Very impressive debut album. Genre-defying and interesting. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure I'd come back to it.
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 think she is a genius. Her music is also F-U-N
Some very good-proto psych soul tracks and then some garbage of its era electropop music. Will probably get a higher score on more listens. 2.5
Enjoyed it, but likely won't listen to it again
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.
so interesting and fun to hear
Loved this - never really listened to Janelle Monae but was amazed by the range in this album
While it was refreshing to get some new music, it was not for me and the album was too long.
I found this album a bit confusing, definitely couldn't call it samey because practically every track is a different genre, but it's also just a bit all over the place - for me there's no real cohesion as an album besides the odd robotic vocal. I like Janelle's voice, and I liked songs that highlighted it. Wasn't a huge fan of the interlude tracks like "Neon Gumbo" and even the intro "Suite II Overture". They just didn't fit for me. Highlights: "Tightrope" - loved the funk "Come Alive" - nice edge to the vocals (and nice vocal variety in general), bit of a swing, bit of a bop. Playlist submission. "Say You'll Go" - bit repetitive, but really nice vocals "BaBopByeYa" - nice vocals, interesting exploration of themes/ideas, nice instrumentation For me, it's a really mixed bag of an album - nothing actively unpleasant to listen to, but certainly some songs that just didn't interest or click with me. Honestly the lack of cohesion is probably my biggest issue with it. Some 2s, some 3s, some 4s. Going to average out at a 3 as a cop-out.
Standouts: - Come Alive - Holy powerful non binary vocals - 57821 - Lots of fuzzy layers to get lost in - BaBopByeYa - I really enjoyed the length here. This album is really good. Definitely needs a few more listens for me to absorb. It almost feels like it's split into acts. It's hard for me to pick standouts because a lot of the songs flow into each other naturally and they all sound great. There's a ridiculous amount of talent on display and it's nice to have something so different in this list. The last song made me feel like there should have been a few longer songs rather than a lot of short songs This album is kinda a 3 but I'm bumping it up to a 4 because of the obvious talent. I'd love to see what they can do on a more focused album but at the same time keep doing whatever you want!
Really impressively diverse. Borders on the Beyoncé a bit too much at times but has plenty to outweigh that flaw
I've had a soft spot for Janelle Monae since I first heard her stuff a few years back. I don't think I ever listened to one of her albums though. This one starts of super strong. Dance or Die, Faster and Locked Inside are all super funky, groovy tracks. Tightrope is a super funky track, and the video is cool. At this point, I'm already starting to think this is an album I'll come back to. By the time Suite III starts, it gets a little on the weirder side for a bit, but not so much that it doesn't work. Wondaland for example, is a fun track. 57821 is a late 60s Simon and Garfunkel track and I won't hear any opinions to the contrary. The final track is another odd one, but in an ambitious album like this that seems to have everything, why not an old jazz throwback. This album isn't perfect, but it's definitely something really good. 4/5
I really enjoyed this. Lots of different music and styles. This is what an album should be on this list.
Enjoyable retro-pop feel to some songs, and the futuristic sound I know better from her later albums on others. Didn’t get to listen to the full thing.
The first truly pleasant surprise from this exercise. Had never heard of the artist or the album and it was all very good and entertaining. Concept albums are not my jam but I enjoyed this a lot and will definitely revisit it.
This was actually really good, I was very impressed.
Solid album with some fun songs. Def some I wasn’t about though.
Not sure if it brought the right thing up, as what I got was scenes 2 & 3. But whichever, that's what I listened to. There were some good and some not good, but on the whole it's was sort of ok. Im sort of thinking I should give it a 3, but I want to give it a 2. Ill go with my gut and ....
Interesting at times, weird and annoying at other times. I did like the variations.
I really liked this for some strange reason, maybe because it was a bit strange. The stand out tracks for me were 'Mushrooms and Roses' & 'Cold War'. If all Soul was like this, then it would have been a genre I could have got into more.
A lot of amazing stuff but a little long and some misses
Fav songs: Cold War, Wondaland, Make the Bus Sci-fi worldbuilt album is conceptually really cool
Eine Intresaante Musik und Gesang , würde ich kaufen
What the fuck (compliment) In my head this is happening in the same universe that Yoshimi is battling pink robots
This album doesn't know what it wants to be when it grows up. An eclectic mix of beats and rhythms across genres. The album is polished enough to keep you listening but not entertaining enough to keep you engaged.
Very funky, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
Her debut album. Pop / Soul. Very slick and well produced. Some great vocals too. It went by quick for a sixty-eight minute album. Very busy with nice arrangements. Pretty good.
mwa
Like… one of the coolest albums I’ve ever heard. So so so so sick! I loved it so much
Crazy genre fuckery going on here. Love it. Also very clear that Stevie wonder is a favorite of Janelle monae cuz there are two songs that just about directly interpolate songs by him. What’s not to like!
This is an interesting album because I remember trying to listen to it previously (Couple years back) and absolutely not liking it. And going into it, I was expecting not to like it. Listening to it not, I honestly can't remember why I didn't like it, it's a really solid album. The first half of the album has some absolute bangers, especially Tightrope. However, the second half of the album does fall off a bit for me. Between the length of the album and it really falling into (This is a poor description, but it's the only thing I can think of) Disney soundtrack-isms (?) and some psychedelic pop that I don't really like, the second half just isn't my thing. A lot of the second half doesn't really have the bangers that the first half did. Was ready to give it a 4, but it kinda fell off to a 3.
Wel lachen maar soms ook irritant ofzo
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.
Not bad but not really my style overall. I can see why its highly rated though.
Reminded me of a musical or a Disney movie in the bg. Not exactly my cup of tea, but overall fun!
Not typical for any albums, really enjoyed that one song with reversed lyrics and name
All over the place but in the best possible way. Fresh and everchanging, engaging and... fun? Some great beats, on pointe rapping, then next minute big band swing. Love it.
There were 3 or 4 songs on this that were very good and enjoyable. The other 87 songs were pretty cheesy. Like on fresh prince when Ashley launches her singing career. It reminded me a lot of that.
Always good, sometimes great, but a bit too long
Wild Art Pop that is quite surprising to the ears. Great stuff all around.
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.
I’ve been familiar with Janelle Monae for a while but never really given her my full attention. Overall I’m pretty impressed with this album. Her songs were accessible while also showcasing real vocal talent. Will be coming back to the well for certain.
This was a cool and quite musically varied album. It's not quite up my alley though and I didnt walk away finding any of the songs being hot bops I'd want to listen to again
good vocals
This album shocked me. It was pretty good, especially tightrope, the intro, Mushroom & Roses, among other good songs. Sometimes a little too techno. Overall good. I only knew this singer from Glass Onion before listening to this album lol
Surprisingly good for an artist that a) is so recent and b) I've never heard of outside of a movie. There are some really interesting genre blends here and the production is pretty stellar on most of the tracks. Honestly if the album ended at track 11 I might've given it a 5, but I think the last bit doesn't have the same punch and causes an unnecessary drag. Favorites were Dance or Die, Cold War, Oh, Maker, and 57821.
This was a pleasant surprise. I had never listened to any of her music prior to this, but I know Dirty Computer received a lot of praise when that came out. I think the latter half of this went a little far into the “could be a stage musical” direction for me. If it stopped after Mushrooms and Roses I would have given this a higher score. Favorite songs were Faster, Cold War, Tightrope, and Mushrooms and Roses.
Swingy, varied, impressive voice
Sounds like the love child of Lauryn Hill and Amy Winehouse. And I’m ok with that. Love the beats and bongo presence. Definitely some highs on the album.
stellar effort, very creative and I have to say I was impressed - I liked Tightrope when this came out but got sick of it quick - this is from 2010 - over the yrs she has shone more as an actor - hidden figures for ex. and I like her more on screen than as a singer
Eclectic really interesting blend of genres. I thought this would be bad hip-hop. I was pleasantly surprised.
It’s pure 80s skating freedom. Light. Airy. Fast. Speed carries you forward, you carve a sharp turn, and everyone’s energy collides into one electric moment.
She matches the ambition of Prince. Doesn't quite have the songs to match but I respect the pursuit. The fact that Faster and Mushrooms and Roses can coexist on the same album and both work independently is nothing short of extraordinary. Impressive.
hypnotiserend!
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
4/5 quite a fun album! enjoyed listened. probs liked around half of them.
Overall good, forgettable in parts and maybe a bit long. Interesting use of different genres, would listen again
couple of corny lyrics but overall a really solid fun album make the bus just completely throws me though, did not enjoy that song highlights: dance or die, sir greendown, wondaland 4
Very fun Übergänge Sehr flott
honestly very good, honestly i didn’t finish it but seems good, most are in best music so far, pretty voice
Solid album but not my favorite genre
There is something to be said for the ambition of this album. The sheer volume of sounds, genres and interesting things it tries in it's hour plus length are staggering. It's all here, to more traditional R&B tunes, psychedelia, orchestral arrangements, more hip hop adjacent tracks, some rock tinged tracks, and what feels like showtunes-lite for good measure. For a good portion of these tracks, Monae feels at home and takes advantage of strong vocal ability to bring them home. Some, however, are huge misses- particularly tracks like "Come Alive (War of the Roses", where Monae's vocals are melodramatic and shrill and the production borders on cartoonish. The track that follows it, "Mushrooms & Roses", an attempt at Beatles-esque psychedelics is a dreary and uninspired low point on the album. Monae clearly has talent on display on her first studio album, in terms of both her vocal and production ability, but I feel as though a lot of the grander ambitions of this album could've been checked and reigned in by a seasoned producer looking to hone this into a more focused experience. Another small thought on that front, this album front to back has variety lush, maximalist production, which is great, but this borders on it seeming sterile, in the same way a lot of work from the early 2010's does, which I don't think has aged well and helps to draw away from and render imperfect some of the attempts at Monae's expansion of her genre horizons. Favorite Tracks: Faster, Sir Greendown, Neon Valley Street Least Favorite Tracks: Come Alive (War of the Roses), Mushrooms & Roses, Make the Bus
It's certainly an ambitious album. I doubt very many R&B artists would open their debut studio album with an overture fit for a Nutcracker performance or producing something like Come Alive (War of the Roses). But I guess I shouldn't be surprised that the future Emmy winning creative was perhaps more interested in exploring the art form than releasing a highly focused project. I found myself looking for, and finding, pieces throughout the album that I really enjoyed, such as Dance or Die and the orchestral moments. Unfortunately, some of the more jarring pieces such as Oh, Maker and Make the Bus really detract from the experience. Overall I'm very appreciative of the variety presented, and the quality of technical execution across that variety is truly impressive.
I had never listened to Janelle Monae before but I will continue to now. Some of these songs are so much fun with so much energy, it was a great driving listen stuck in LA traffic to keep me energized. There were a couple of duds, like I was not a fan of Oh Maker. The intro song felt very theatrical, not something I'd listen to again. There was a lot of variety which I appreciated- I liked the horns in tightrope, the swing of come alive, the vocals on make the bus. I think if every song was one I would add to a playlist it'd be rated higher but because of many new bangers I found, it's earned it's rating.
Intergalactic cabaret music.
Crazy eclectic style and plenty of bangers
Synes der er god musical range på og nogle gode bangers også, men der er også bare noget som gør at jeg synes det falder fladt. måske er det fordi jeg lyttede til det som baggrundsmusik og på en dårlig dag. Det er det jo nok, men jeg har ikke tænkt mig at lytte til det for anden gang og ikke give det opmærksomheden som det fortjener. Er ellers vild med det opera inspirerede og klassiske. Men der er også rock på og det er også RnB og der er også bare nogle straight up pop sange. Men det får en TILBAGEVEND
thought it was gonna be just instrumentals at first lol actually so fun love Tightrope kinda whimsical
Couple of songs are really cool, eg oh Maker, but the rest not quite my taste
Okei, intro sai mut luulemaan että tää on jotain instrumentaalimusiikkia mutta ei onneksi. Rakastan albumeita, joissa biisit vaihtuu saumattomasti toisesta toiseen ja siinä jos missä tämä albumi on onnistunut erittäin hyvin. Välillä kappaleen vaihtumista ei edes huomaa ellei seuraa tarpeeksi tarkkaan. Soundikin on ihan kiva. Energistä musiikkia ainakin alun biisien perusteella. Sisältää myös biisejä joita ei meinaa jaksaa kuunnella mutta kokonaisuudessaan ihan hyvä albumi. Monista biiseistä ihan oikeasti tykkäsin.
Really interesting
From moment one I knew it was going to be a wild ride.
first song is a skip but the rest of the album is good
Some bops, I will be honest I'm only keeping it a 3 because I don't think I'm currently in the right headspace for this particular album. I WILL SAY THO, I love Monáe's work, and that every track just slides into the next one seemlessly 🩷
The likes The Beatles.
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.
This was a breath of fresh air. Really interesting album, beautiful production, and Janelle's vocals are wonderful. I've only listened to her most recent album from 2023, so I'm partially familiar with her work. I've been wanting to check out more of her albums, so I'm glad I listened to this album. Awesome album cover too! Really enjoyed this!
Very Cool album Could be a bedtime one
This had a little bit of everything
Reminds me of Alicia Keys in the best way; I like how it weaves together classical music and r&b into something else
first track was really interesting I will I will be going back to this I did enjoy 8.5/10
i’m not going to lie, this album was hard to get through. not because it wasn’t good, but simply because it’s not quite my sound. it was definitely interesting, as each song had a completely different feel to it. also, in all honesty, i didn’t listen to the last song. even though this album wasn’t really my speed, my top three songs were: - faster - locked inside - oh, maker with an honorable mention of: - make the bus even though i didn’t feel like this album was for me, it definitely made me feel lots of different things. i’d recommend!
Very theatrical. Maybe too much for me. She’s an extremely talented singer though
This album did not feel nearly as long as it was. Excellently crafted and extremely catchy.
A new discovery for me.. its not really my jam but I did really enjoy it. Its a eclectic mix of styles that hangs together well and grooves along. Very accomplished for a debut. Its a very high 4 - that could turn into a 5 if I listen a few more times (which I probably will)
Interesting. Listened to twice and can't get my head around what it is. how do you describe the music? How do you describe the story? Is the album saying anything? Neither negative nor positive, just confused. Solid 3.
Very good album, beautiful voice
8/10
of montreal wtf you doing here
Soothing sound, variety of styles, accomplished, really liked it
Kind of like listening to 12 albums in one, so a bit messy but a lot of fun.
Starts with entertaining but after seeing 5 or 6 it really becomes a dated and difficult album to listen to
Good lp. Psychedelic Afrofuturist. Wondaland is a great song.
Loved this album 15 years ago. It just hasn’t aged well.
Masterpiece, no notes
Very good start but dies down
uno de los pocos discos de janelle monáe que no había escuchado antes y es ESTUPENDO!!!!
This one didn’t do very much for me
While this album certainly was genre bending and an extremely refreshing change of pace from the usual rock slop we're served up on here, I'm not quite sure why it's getting the praises it is. Come Alive was weird as fuck, it sounded like a broadway musical breakout track from a really shitty movie. "Take her back to wonderland, she forgot her underpants" was an absolute lowlight. Somehow this album has a runtime of 1hr but made it feel like 3. The idea was novel on this record but the execution absolutely sucked dick. This album sucks man. It's so annoying, the lyrics are trash, and I think this is supposed to be a concept album but I couldn't figure out what it was about? This is hot garbage.
No reason this needed to be as long as it was. Started off alright, it failed to maintain my interest. It’s not bad per se, it’s just not great. Highlights: Locked Inside
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)
Good album, but not something I would have found myself!
Fun!
john williams called mario kart soundtrack but make in kinda sultry clean
song by song: ----- Suite II Overture - 3.5/5, it's giving film soundtrack Dance or die (ft. Saul Williams) - 3/5, it grew on me underveis Faster - 3.5/5, catchy Locked Inside - 3.5/5, the *clap clap* was perfect Sir Greendown - 4.5/5, very good but I probably won't listen to it again Cold War - 4/5, chours on point Tightrope (ft. Big Boi) - 4/5, "Do damage to your cabbage?" Avatar reference?? Neon Gumbo - 2/5, oh, a song-shaped object in my headphones Oh, Maker - 4.5/5, this close to clicking 'liked songs' Come Alive (War of the Roses) - 4.5/5, the villain song from a musical that goes viral Mushrooms & Roses - 1/5, and then she turned into a robot Suite III Overture - 3/5, instrumental's just not my style Neon Valley Street - 3.5/5, she should rap more Make the Bus (ft. Of Montreal) - 4/5, If Marina and ___ had a baby this would be it Wondaland - 4.5/5, "Take her back to Wondaland / She thinks she left her underpants" HELL YEAH 57821 (ft. Deep Cotton) - 4.5/5, ethereal Say You'll Go - 2.5/5, so much potential BaBopByeYa - 3.5/5, another musical song she's a theatre kid fr overall score - 3.5/5
I really enjoyed how some of the songs blended together really well. Definitely an enjoyable listen.
not even sure warrants one star. don’t understand the appeal
Haven’t listened to Janelle Monae is years. It was nice to revisit (3.5)
This is really well made and a lot of fun but there is just something about it that doesn't fully mesh with my sensibilities. I really appreciate it though. (3.5)
5 stars
weird feeling idk how to explain (not bad feeling)
It's smooth. It's funky. It's such a good album!!!
So fun and futuristic
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?).
I like :)
This didnt resonate with me at all at first listen. Ive since revisited the album and think more highly of it. Cold War and Tightrope stand out as favorites. Also, her performance at the Rock Hall of Fame for Outkast was fucking great!
This was surprisingly good. I enjoyed this record and everything that it had to offer. Great music, production, writing, vibe, etc.
Gotta toss this one on in the bg next time I watch Metropolis
Jeg synes det begynner ganske lovende. Dance or Die, Faster, og Locked Inside er en medley av spennende pop med funky rytmer, disco inflytelser, og masse drivkraft. Derifra er det for det meste nedoverbakke. Sir Greendown er en fin interlude, men Cold War bytter ut spennende pop med noe som kunne vært tatt rett ut av en nyere Disney-film; Tighrope høres ut som en gammal Beyonce-låt (ikke et kompliment); Neon Gumbo er enda en interlude, men en interlude fra et sterkere album; Oh, Maker begynner bra, men velger fort å bli stuck i et helt annet spor; og Come Alive — nå er det faen meg tid for revy! Jeg skal droppe å skrive en kommentar om hver eneste av de gjenstående låtene, men som en fan av Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? må jeg trekke frem at Of Montreal høres helt malplassert ut i denne contexten — ikke er det en god låt heller!
Mener det har kommet mange gode plater ut av poptimismen. ArchAndroid sikter høyt, men lander sånn ca. midt på treet. Første delen av albumet er nok best, selv om det høres ut som musikerne skynder seg. «Faster» er høydepunktet for meg her, og jeg måtte google om Monáe er britisk. Jeg er utrolig svak for synthlyden på «Civil War», og syns det er en interessant låt. Tror den hadde vært høydepunktet mitt om ikke alt annet på låta hadde vært så masete og synthen hadde vært enda mer fremtredende. Plata rakner nesten fordi den spriker så mye. Det er mye potensiale, kule detaljer og melodier, men det sitter aldri helt. Selv «Tightrope» med et slags storband låter labert. Jeg regner med at alt går så fort fordi Monáe er en god rapper og vokalist og alt virker å være bygget rundt vokalen hennes etter den er tatt opp? Del to husker jeg nesten ingenting av etter å ha hørt den, men Of Montreal gjør en slags David Bowie-parodi som virker malplassert. «Wondaland» er catchy og en låt jeg kan høre flere ganger. Ja også er jo albumet altfor langt. Er ikke CD era over innen her?
«Just because you can, doesnt mean you should» Dette er et godt eksempel på et overambisiøst konseptalbum som tror at hvis man skal lage et dobbeltalbum så må det være en ny sjanger for hver låt. Det er noen fineøyeblikk i ny og ned, men desverre så fungerer det for det meste ikke.
A super fun listen! Super diverse melting different genres into an album!
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
I listened to some of it in the background of getting ready. It was unique and I enjoyed it. Didn’t listen to the lyrics so I’m not sure if I would’ve liked it more or less if I had. Overall not bad I liked it
I don’t love it as much as dirty computer but I know it was a critical darling when it initially came out in 2010
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.
It's easy to understand why this would be on the list. You see so many classic influences, from David Bowie to Stevie Wonder, and they're being used decades later for the blending of genres with more contemporary legends like Big Boi— that dash of OutKast elevates the experience. I feel like the vocal aspect is a little forced at times, like pushing to achieve something grand, and it's achieved, I just don't love noticing that effort. That might be the concept's fault. I do like the way the concept of the record gave the experience a north, and even though it doesn't begin or finish the story, it feels like a complete record experience. I also feel like it forces the artist to explain things so that it makes sense, but it makes a more dense experience. I imagine this was a killer live performance, though. Not something I'd revisit. 3/5
good stuff, i like that all the songs i downloaded were added to a different playlist. interesting and versatile album!
The operatic flow of this album is unexpected. The experience is whole, not limited to a single track, and just has an exclusive feel to it as though one like it will never be recorded again. After several listens through and through, to make 1001's list is without real contestation, because the value of having heard pre-mortem is justified.
Creative, funky and cool
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
A great debut album by a very talented artist. I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. My one complaint is that it did go on a tad long. There were a few songs at the end that should have hit the cutting room floor.
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
Album No. 0108 on my list. Woah, what an overwhelming album - I had no idea what I was getting into! I had never heard of Janelle Monae before, but I was very surprised about how great this album is. I love the eclecticism on this. Mixing so many different genres is not always good, but it worked out very well here. You got pop, jazz, soul, hip hop, even classical influences, but they work very well together. There is a large variety between the songs, but there is still a very high degree of coherence between them. The album feels very ‘complete’ in that sense. It’s not just a collection of songs, it is an album indeed. Beyond that coherence, the songs themselves are mostly pretty good as well. Monae and her fellow musicians really showed a lot of talent here. I’ll add “Dance Or Die”, “Locked In Here”, “Cold War”, and “Tightrope”, to my playlist, though I rather think these are representative of the variety of the album. Good album. Really overwhelming in the best way. 4/5 stars!
Janelle Monae is a true artistic genius and we do not deserve her. Can I give six.
pretty highschool musical, dar na it was the 2010s I kinda liked Wondaland
Experimental. Daring. Fun. Challenging. This should have been much bigger than it was. I enjoyed it and I know many critics lavished praise on it but it should have hit the stratosphere. Maybe that's a good thing because it wasn't overplayed. This was a nice discovery of an artist I've been meaning to check out.
Die Kollabo mit of Montreal hat mich kalt erwischt! Of Montreal sind so großartig … Janelle schon auch - nah an 4 Sternen
Hat mich überrascht uns gefreut, dass das Album hier auftaucht. Geht wahnsinnig stark los und ist in seiner stilistischen Vielfalt beeindruckend. Hatte die schon 2-3 mal gehört und gedacht, dass sie zu lang ist. War diesmal anders, vielleicht bald 5 Sterne.
Pleasing discovery of progressive soul and alternative R&B, sublimated by the voice range of Janelle Monae.
Is this prog rock? I still don't know but I really enjoyed this
very much an album of two halves for me. LOVED the first half but the second half didn’t appeal as much
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.
Made it about halfway. A talented musician but the album lacks the bite I need to keep listening. Retro-futuristic, but a retro I don't want to revisit and a future that already passed
Päris põnev kõla on paljudel lugudel, hea produ juures (mis on piisavalt vahelduv ning võtab erinevatest žanritest šnitti). Samas mingi asi tundub selle albumi puhul lihtsalt... veider või mitte nii hea. Lood ei ole just meeldejäävad, aga äkki peabki lihtsalt rohkem kuulama. Reitinguks 3.5/5, aga hinde mõttes pigem 4.
This was a fun album from start to finish and I had no problem staying engaged despite the album’s length. I’d have to listen again to really know how it works as a concept album, but I have a feeling I’ll enjoy it more the second time. I worked at a Ruby Tuesday for 4 years in the early 2010’s and Tightrope was apart of the restaurant’s shuffling playlist the whole time. I’ve heard that song 100’s of times and always thought it was pretty cool though I never knew who/what it was. Hearing it again today after so long was unexpectedly wonderful!
A good album, I liked Suite II Overture and Sir Greendown the most.
This was alright, I’d never heard of the artist before
Such a fun and diverse and complex album Has so much going on from production to vocals to whole album.
Not really my thing but I appreciate the artistry and skill put into it.
Gets a +1 for being a pretty unique entry on the list. 4/5
J: It’s crazy how many genres and instruments she packs into this album. It’s very fun sounding. Mixed well, it never feels too crowded despite the many instruments and sounds. None of the songs had an immediate deep connection with me, but I like them enough to go back and re-listen every now and then. It is a very interesting exploration of what you can do when you decide to break away from the boundaries of genre. Will need a deeper listen to get more out of it, specially the lyrics. 3.5 V: I would listen again, especially like hour 12 on a road trip. I liked the upbeat songs the best, and I was amazed at the mixing and blending from song to song. Her voice surprised me as well, how it could change within the micro genres of the album.
No skips another one thank u
This was cool. Fun bits with big boy in it. Obviously insane talent. Not my sound. 6.8/10
I can appreciate how much is going on here, but it's really not my thing.
Boah Soul… schwierig. Kriegt mich einfach nie. Kann man sich anhören, kann man genauso schnell wieder vergessen. Keine Ahnung.
Gesang top, trotz der Länge abwechslungsreich und trotzdem bleibt für eine hohe Bewertung etwas zu wenig hängen. Knapp an 4 Sternen vorbei.
Die Platte wird ja überall als ihre beste abgefeiert und sicherlich stecken hier sehr viele Energien, ein Story-Konzept und viele unterschiedliche stilistische Richtungen, aber mich berührt hiervon fast nichts. Janelle wirkt ein bisschen wie eine Musik-Streberin, bei der die Seele in der Musik vor lauter "guckt mal, was ich kann" abhanden gekommen ist. Auf 4 Songs, die mir gefallen, bin ich zwar noch gekommen, aber das ist bei so einer überlangen Platte viel zu wenig.
Mussten 68 Minuten echt sein?
Ganz schönes Konzept eigentlich. Mir gefallen die mehreren Abschnitte des Albums sehr gut.
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.
Es ist sehr lang und eigentlich nicht mein Genre, aber ich m muss anerkennen, dass es trotzdem sehr kurzweilig und spannend war. Hier sind genug Ideen drin, der Gesang ist toll, der Sound groß,.nur mein persönlicher Geschmack steht der 5 im Weg
Wasn’t expecting Of Montreal to feature on one of these songs.
Listened to this a lot--inventive, lush, and a lot of fun
The first half of the album is gold. Very good music with good fusion sound and an amazing voice from Janelle. The second half is not that great. Overall this is a 5/10 album.
like beyonce but not as shit
Too long
Didn’t know she was an artist
Suite II Overture - 4/5 Dance or Die - 4/5 Faster - 4/5 Locked Inside - 5/5 Sir Greendown - 4/5 Cold War - 5/5 Tightrope - 5/5 Neon Gumbo - 3/5 Oh, Maker - 4/5 Come Alive - 5/5 Mushrooms & Roses - 4/5 Suite III Overture - 3.5/5 Neon Valley Street - 4.5/5 Make the Bus - 3.5/5 Wondaland - 4/5 57821 - 4.5/5 Say You'll Go - 5/5 BabopbyeYa - 4/5 A nearly effortless blend of genres for an incredible debut album. This would be a 5 except it kind of loses me towards the end but the ending two tracks pull me back into what I loved about it. The run-up to that middle stretch managed to blend together soul, funk, R&B, and more that loosely fits into her whole sci-fi concept the album is trying to portray, but I feel its a bit too loose of a concept that I may not have fully got. Overall: 4/5 Favorites: Locked Inside, Cold War, Tightrope, Come Alive, Neon Valley Street, Say You'll Go
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.
have listened before janelle is so so so talented. still sounds so futuristic. fav: locked inside, cold war, neon valley street
A genuinely fantastic album filled with different genres but unfortunately suffers for being too long.
Repeat
Very pleasant surprise.
Alku oli yllättävä, mutta sitten levy vaihtoi tyyliä. En kuunnellut loppuun, ainakaan nyt. 2,5/5.
Eclectic and expansive, the songs, production and concept of the early songs were ambitious, but I felt they lacked any strong hooks. It was a kitchen sink approach which utilised classical music, heavy metal guitars, jazz, rap, film score, but nothing beyond an infantile melody. Then I was pleasantly surprised by Oh Maker, which had a directness the rest of the album lacked until that point, and then again by Mushrooms and Roses (I love this title) which was intriguing. The rest of the album I have no desire to revisit. But I'll certainly listen to those 2 songs again.
Loved this album. Can't quite put my finger on it, but the orchestral elements just hit perfectly for me.
Def a vibe.
It's not bad, it just doesn't grab me in any real way. It's very produced and I don't think that's a bad thing here; still the glossiness and refinement kinda make me tune out pretty quickly. I had some friends who played this album a lot when it came out, and I had the same feelings then as I do now. But again, it's not bad music at all. It's very entertaining. It's a thing where I'm more into actually seeing it, which of course Janelle Monae is spectacular visually, in dance and movement, and 'cause she's so damn good-looking. She's got tons of charisma, there's no denying that. Just not something I'd ever put on or even really want to listen to. But it's not bad.
Underlig, Bra, Rolig. Behöver lyssnas på igen
A selection of very accomplished tracks all of which are very good. But not very coherent as an album, it was hard to decide what type of music you were listening to.
High-concept and dynamic, but it boogies so hard. It would make sense to pattern a race of androids after Janelle Monáe. I have a hard time giving something a 5 on first listen but I thought about it; definitely coming back to this one.
To think this has just been around since 2010. Standout songs: Locked Inside, Cold War, Mushrooms & Roses, Neon Valley Street
Don’t know if I love this as much as the funky Prince-inspired material off Dirty Computer, but the concept, stylistic variety, and overall performance here was a commendable cinematic experience. A visionary record for 2010.
Easy listening but not really my thing
Good, 3.5
so good.
Wow, very eclectic and a ton of different genres and styles at play. Everything from rap to rock to Prince to Bowie to OutKast and everything in between. Looking at the background, apparently a solid 60% of Janelle Monae's discography is dedicated to this concept narrative about a sci-fi movie from 1927? Wild stuff! Anyway, this record is dynamic, ambitious, excellently produced and sung and written and it sort of explodes out of the speakers. Did I really connect with it, and do I like it? For me, not really. I would love to love this album but there's something that just doesn't do it for me. That being said, I recognize the talent on display here and I'm impressed. I don't know if I'll listen much again but I'm glad I heard it.
If I ever have an hour to kill, I might go back and listen to this one in full because I’m not sure what I think after skimming through it. Concept is interesting and it sounds ok, but I have a feeling I’d be sick of it after 40 mins let alone 68
Not sure what I was listening to here.
There’s definitely more than one listen in this album, definitely worth a deep dive but first reaction is great.
The ArchAndroid is a wildly ambitious and vibrant album where something new is constantly happening. It moves effortlessly between funky, edgy, almost theatrical passages and more dreamy, experimental, and cinematic moments. Janelle Monáe plays with genres, moods, and structures, without the album ever falling apart, on the contrary, it feels like a creative overflow. At times it’s extremely groovy and energetic; at others, almost floating and abstract. It can feel overwhelming, but that’s also what makes the album so fascinating. You never get bored, and new details reveal themselves with every listen. An album full of imagination, personality, and courage. Not flawless, but impressive, alive, and highly entertaining. 4/5
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.
The idea was better than the album!
I understand why this is an interesting album and a good piece of work, but I don't need to listen to the whole thing to know I don't like it. I'll give it an average rating though.
Pretentious
Never heard of Mrs Monáe before. Her debut is a wild mix of different styles and genres, which are masterly connected and celebrated by Mrs. Monáe, who has a beautiful voice. Really surprised and delighted. Fav: BabopbyeYa
This is a bit of a funny mix of an album. At times it wears its concept lightly, in particular the beginning of the album (minus the classical overture) but also other tracks dotted throughout. What I appreciate about it most is the boldness to have two primarily classical tracks and the other “full concept”tracks where you really have to buy in to that. This could easily have been a dull pop album if you lopped off a few tracks, but then maybe that was never going to happen with a lady of many talents like Janelle Monae.
I think "Tightrope" feat Big Boi summed this up. Great energy, excellent vocal range hip hopping between a rap / Beyonce style warble. Later you have "Oh Maker" which has delicate parts that has yet another musical and vocal style. "Come Alive" is then like a musical with a rock edge. You get the idea. Talent, no doubt, so probably this just comes down to your musical preferences. I cant find any specific fault in the music here so unusually going to come out of my hip hop / mainstream closet and give this a decent thumbs up. I will continue to explore my musical sexuality with this album its not bad.
I wasn't taken with the first third of this album. To my ears, it was just another generic pop album. Something changed around 'Come Alive (War of the Roses)' and it started to become something a bit more interesting. I like a concept album. They risk a bit of self indulgence and can sometimes be bit too much concept and not enough actually good music. This album treads the line on both of these things but I applaud the effort put towards making something genuinely different and artistically risky. The overview mentions David Bowie, which elicited a sceptical snort when I first read it, but actually I can hear some Bowiesque elements in this. It is the sort of thing he might have made if he was born with different race, gender, generation, and nationality. Overall, I have to say I quite liked this. There were some cringy moments but you can't make an omelette without cracking a few eggs. And you can't make a double disk concept album about coming to Earth as an Alien Android without having a few weird moments.
Not bad but not my thing
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.
Wait, that actress? She can sing?
A solid R&B pop album that does a lot well but is way too long to keep attention. Some good moments but bogged down by a lot of forgettable filler that in my opinion detracts from the high points. Top tracks: Neon Valley Street, Say You'll Go
- I like the artwork and aesthetic. Immediately wanted to like this project as it seems cool and much more than just an RnB album. - It's quite outside the realm of my taste but it's impressively ambitious and cinematic. I couldn't help feeling totally drawn into it. - Objectively she's a good singer and the production is pretty amazing. Loads going on instrumentally. While it's not really in my wheelhouse, I'm really glad to have given it the time of day and a couple of listens. It's a shame it's a little longer than in needs to be in my opinion but I get why, and I'd gladly listen to this when I have time to soak it all in again.
Loved this album. Blending of sounds into evocative sounds escapes, great vocals and samples. Relaxing upbeat vibes.
Very fun album, seems to hit a couple different genres. Favorite songs were dance or die and tightrope. Only one skip which was the of montreal feature
I love the upbeat tracks on this album. Great vocals, very artistic and melodic. The overture interludes are cool and melodic but I will never listen to them again. Songs that stood out to me: Faster, Locked Inside, Cold War, Wondaland
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.
Ganz nett
All of the songs are fantastic but to me it doesn't feel like a cohesive album. Probably still gonna buy it though.
Beats, vocals, instrumentals. This album was hitting. Max vibes!
Good energy, solid production, but not something I’ll come back to.
Very nice album, impressive variety of sounds, genres and a good range of vocals too. Was skeptical at first but left impressed. Highlights for me were Faster, Cold War and Oh, Maker
This is probably more like a 3.75, but I'm rounding up because there are several good to great songs
Sehr spannendes Album, guter funky Sound, schöne Stimme.
Arrancó con todo y con el correr del album se me fue apagando la chispa. Un gran pop igualmente, con cosas a MJ, y una voz increíble de una artista que no conocía. Pero siento que con unos minutos menos el álbum me cerraba más. Después también supongo tiene toda una historia detras que me deja de lado por el idioma. 5/10
3.1
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.
Lyxigt album med många höga toppar, men också en del tråk tyvärr. Kan tänka mig att det växer mycket om man djupdyker in i dess värld. Respekt!
Förstår grejen, men det är inte min grej. Har lite svårt för hennes röst, och då lyfter det aldrig för mig.
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!
Stark tvåa, det greppade inte mig helt. Men jag respekterar idén och känner att det finns kvalitet här. Kanske behöver mer tid.
Hmmkey dålig på att sjunga 🥴
Började lyssna i söndags kväll på min raska promenad runt elljusspåret men var tvungen att byta till podd för jag hann inte med mina egna ben. Det gick så fort. Så otroligt fort. Jag tycker det är ballt men är lite för långt och stressigt. Fin helthet ändå.
jag respekterar verkligen visionen!!
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.
This album was a quandary for me. I was not familiar with Janelle Monae prior to listening to this. I really enjoyed several aspects of the album making me feel it deserved a 5 star and really disliked others thinking it deserved a 1 star. With that said I pretty much listened to the album in its entirety which says something. I also felt the song transitions on the first half of the album were excellent. She has an excellent voice and brings many genres of music together from electronic, swing, jazz, funk and Hip hop to name a few. She does this relatively seamlessly in my opinion making for an interesting album. With that said, I felt like I was listening to two separate albums from songs 1-10 and 11-18. My initial thought was to go with a 3 but gave it bonus marks for her voice, transitions and the fact I listened to the whole album despite this not really being my musical wheelhouse. Neon valley is a hidden nugget in my opinion with great jazz vibes.
Have to listen to this again, it might be a little too GRAND for my taste, but of course it’s good. Low 4
excelente na real entrei cheio de preconceitos e sai embasbacado.
caraio eu to embasbacado. DEFINITIVAMENTE não eh o que eu tava esperando. uma super pedrada, cê é doido ela vai pulando de gênero em gênero e não erra nunca, como pode. tem de tudo po, hip hop, soul, eletronica, musica classica, rock, folk, a porra toda fi. e todas todas as músicas são gostosinhas demais e super bem feitas. só num eh 5 estrelas porque eh um pouco longo, mas eh definitivamente um album dos anos 2010 que vale a pena DEMAIS ouvir hein
I'm a bit of a sucker for a concept album; I'm impressed by anyone who can cast and execute a coherent vision like that. This would take me several closer listens to decide if I love it, but I was definitely intrigued, surprised, entertained, and delighted. I couldn't pay enough attention to the lyrics to follow any themes she was developing, but the album art and the music itself seemed clearly enough about imagining alternate futures for black folk -- and all Americans, really -- and they are futures I would be very open to at the moment.
It's a little overlong but endlessly creative. On a different day I may have inched this toward 5 stars. She's a special performer.
Not something I'd typically listen too and this album did nothing to change that. Not one song I'd revisit.
Solid
This one surprised me. I had never listened to Janelle Monae before, and i had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly taken aback. So much to love. A huge variety of genres and styles. One moment, an epic, cinematic, orchestral track. Next moment, an explosive, hip-hop / rap number. Both equally proficient. Creativity levels off the charts. A mad, eclectic experience. Pretty sure every instrument makes an appearance at some point. It is a long album, and some moments are certainly weaker than others. The straight up pop songs dont hit quite as hard for me as the more experimental moments but the vocals do stand up. For example Locked Inside is a straightforward modern pop classic, but i much prefer the inventiveness of the experimental closer BaBopByeYa. Thats perhaps my favourite track although this album was more about moments than songs for me. Going to give it another listen as i know lyrically and thematically there is a lot i have still to enjoy and appreciate. 8/10
Not a fan of this at all. In fact, I can feel the first knockings of a migraine brewing after attempting to endure around half an hour of it. She has a hugely irritating voice, the "grandiosity" and overdone theatrics of the album annoyed me from the word go, there are practically no opportunities for breathing room throughout what I managed - sonically it just goes on and on like a hyperactive cartoon child having just paid a visit to the sweet shop, and the attempt at incorporating influences from various genres felt haphazard at best. If you need me, I'll be hunched in the corner decompressing to "Ambient Birds Vol. 37"
Ofc Faster and Tightrope are great songs. Dance or Die, Cold War and Come Alive were also good. Locked Inside has a vintage disco vibe that I like. TBH - the album could have ended after Come Alive.
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?
Not what I expected at all! Very cool!
Accidently put my score for this for album 227. A very interesting mix of musical styles. Really quite enjoyed it.
This sounds like a soundtrack. I think that was the intention. It is a little long for a new artist. Quite ambitious. I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. Album came out 15 years ago and I never heard of this person or album. I'm not even entirely sure what genre this would be classified. Could have probably died and not heard this album though. 1001 albums might be too many albums.
This sounds like a Disney soundtrack.
2.5. A little too random for its own sake. But not too bad.
Not bad, not really my thing
4/4.5. solid vibe
This is a hugely ambitious debut, with the sprawl inherent to such an undertaking. Is it all essential? No. Does it need to close with six- and eight-minute songs? No. But like her hero Prince, Janelle Monáe doesn't do anything small. As with her other stuff, I'll save the songs I like and skip the rest, while appreciating the ambition that created all of it.
Can't say I could have told you anything about Janelle Monae before listening to this. Epic. Sprawling. Kind of weird. All very expertly done. All of which I very much approve of.
fattar inte hur sånt här kan vara med, så generiskt
at its weirdest, it's cool.
The ArchAndroid is an interesting kind of genre-bending album that made for a really nice listen. It's poppy, rocky, soulful, and full of surprises. It isn't really what I expected at all, and I'm glad for it. A lot of the songs were catchy and I liked the string arrangements strewn throughout. It gives the album a weird vibe though; you never know quite where it's trying to go or what its attempting to achieve. Some sort of classical steampunk futuristic pop scene? It's a bit disjointed. There was an almost Beatles-like feel to a few of the songs. There's maybe a little twist of James Bond-esque spy thriller thrown in. It's interesting though, I'll give it that. Standouts for me were "Cold War" "Oh, Maker" "Mushrooms & Roses" and "Say You'll Go." Overall, this was a refreshing dreamy album that made for a fun listen. The album cover is a little cringy but it does kind of encapsulate the vibe of the album. I'd gladly listen to some of this again if it came on, but it's a little too poppy for me for regular listening. I think this is an album that would for sure grow on you with more listens. It's a pretty good 3.5/5 for me.
Absoluty stunning album
Average … but a bit too long.
I remembered liking this more when it first came out. Now it just didn’t do much for me. A lot of what just seemed free form to me.
Haven’t spent enough time with this era of JM. Giving queen vibes
2010. Guitar solos are cool. Orchestral arrangements are cool. Janelle Monáe is such a cool weirdo.
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.
Bisschen eintönig. Eigentlich aber ganz nice
Some songs I really loved, but others left me waiting for the next one. Interesting, but also a bit boring
Interesting album, especially because I had never heard of it or the artist. After the first songs I was expecting an rollercoaster-like experience but it feels like every song just doesn't get it's point across. Cold War and tightrope would've been such great songs if they were Drum and Bass, the best parts of the classical intermezzo's are the parts that are copied from the classics and the rest of the album blends together a bit. In theory a great idea but it fails to execute it properly
Sadly one of the i see the artistic value of this but it just does nothing for me. Its just fine but not memorable in a good way or even a bad way. It just is. It does well at creating this futuristic art deco type thing its going for. The transitions are all well and good. It feels like a whole statement. But its just not thay interesting. The music, the performances, the everything is nothing but forgettable. Also it tries some vocal manipulation on a couple of tracks and that is downright awful. Just nails on a chalkboard for me. In the end its fine and I will always lean on the side of seeing a project for its artistic intent when it lands in the fine zone. As long as you dont offend me im happy to give you a positive review. And this is one of those times
8 / 10
What an ambitious soul / contemporary R&B and pop record. The first half of this thing is incredible. It has the best tracks of the whole project and they are incredible vibrant and energetic, with impeccable singing and super rich instrumentation. Every song in this part of the album absolutely slaps, I'm telling you. The second half I would say is a bit weaker. I always find myself losing my focus once I reach the last songs. Nevertheless, I can say that it offers some of the most experimental cuts of the whole project. 'Come Alive' feels like a Disney villain song, and it is super fun. In tracks like 'Mushroom & Roses' and 'Neon Valley Street' she uses autotune to apply effects on the voice. In the first one her singing feels very trippy and in the second one it seems like a robot is singing. There is also the song 'Make the Bus' which features the band Of Montreal and she doesn't sing at all while the singer of the other band takes the spot. Overall, very enjoyable, ambitious and uplifting.
I had high hopes for Janelle when she debuted. The pitch was a Millennial Prince, but ultimately this landed with a thud for me: it’s packed to the brim with ideas and energy, but never delivering novel, forward-thinking sounds, let alone songs. It’s all imitative of better music.
I like this she has a stunning voice
Pop music going in many directions. Quite fresh but also difficult to figure out what it is all about here
Really enjoyed this. Poppy but with some substance. Definitely will come back to. 7/10
The types and styles of songs seem to change from song to song. There were two with a symphony. some sounded pop, some really grabbed my attention. I can't get my head around it in one listen. Very good.
Wow. Talk about an album that really surprised the hell out of me. I have no idea who Janelle Monáe is, but now I want to hear more of her. My first listen through and I thought it was a lot. Fast paced, sounded like an upbeat women’s haircare commercial, and insisted heavily upon itself. Kind of gave me anxiety. Wasn’t bad, just a long album that didn’t really do anything for me. On the second listen, I was absolutely hooked harder than I could possibly have imagined. Janelle is an incredible singer, and she brings a certain energy to these songs that I haven’t heard a lot of for this project. Now, this is a long album, and not every song is perfect, but god damn does it sure feel like it ends quickly, even at 1 hour and 8 minutes of runtime. Every song does a great job of blending into each other, and there is a good bit of variety in the songs. Occasionally, there’s even a killer breakdown, like on “Cold War”. The filler on this album is mostly just short intermission tracks that are still actual, real songs and not annoying skits. Picking a favorite song is actually really hard. The hit is “Tightrope”, and that’s probably the song I’m going to pick, otherwise it would take me hours to decide on what my favorite song on the album is. The feature is very good, and it’s definitely the catchiest song on the album. Man, this might literally be another contender for a 5. It’s close. The production is just insanely well done. I think by the time you hit a certain point, you kinda get the point. I don’t have many aspects to fault this one on, length included. Not only would I come back to this one, but it might fall into my usual rotation. A huge compliment for someone I’d never heard of before. It’s a very, very very very high 4 for me. I didn’t add any one specific song to my playlist, but god damn it’s all so good as a whole. This was catchy.
If I were forced to listen to it, I wouldn't mind, but there's nothing breathtaking about it. I would think less of anyone who enjoys this album.
interesting concept album. i'll definitely never listen to it again though. some of the lyrics are just cringe.
Ok Not really my scene. Reminded me of prince
It’s like Bowie and Beyoncé birthed a big beautiful bouncing baby but better and it’s brilliant. Loved it
For once, a concept album that actually works as a full concept, songs working and flowing together. And Monáe shows her skill at any style of genre you can think of. It’s not transcendent and maybe not something I’ll go to listen to a lot, but it’s undeniably well done and bonkers how well she puts it all together.
Fine, too long
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.
Now THIS is pod racing
Some sparks ("Tightrope", "Come Alive") but in total not my jam and way too long.
If you strapped a heart rate monitor to me while I listened to this you'd see I was completely unmoved for the 1 hour and 8 minute runtime. I was not shaken or stirred, I simply endured.
better then I thought to be honest. But not my cup of tea. Like her better as an actress.
Tightrope Deep cotton songs ok Not my type of music in general
Not enjoyable to listen to
Eh
interesting album. not what I would typically listen to and I doubt I will return to it, but it was fun to listen to
Not bad- not for me