The ArchAndroid

Love her voice and creative lyrics. Would rate it a 5 but got tired of the androids.

Janelle is one of the most creative and beautiful voices going today. I have a huge crush on her. I don’t like this as much as her more recent albums but it’s a seriously strong concept and shows great variety.

This was a wild album; can’t explain the eclectic sound of it. Def neo-soul, but can’t put my finger on what else…

A very nice surprise!! I didn’t love all songs, but most of them are really good and there’s a few amazing ones as well.

Surprised

By luck of the draw, this is the first album that I'd actually heard before. When I first heard it, I was dazzled by the rapid-fire tumble of genres but on revisiting, I'm not sure how the genre hopping supports the themes she's going for. The James Brown homage on Tightrope is such a natural fit for her talents that it doesn't really require any further justification, but what about the Beatles/Donovan/psych pastiche on Mushrooms & Roses?

I liked bits of it a lot, but I also thought you could tell who her influences were, but you couldn’t tell who she is.

Really cool

This thing vibes. A lot. It has feeling, good songs, it's elegant. Reminds me of a mixture of Sade and Beyoncé. Very positive surprise.

This album is a very good album. It's creative, well-produced, and impressively executed from start to finish. It’s dynamic and consistently listenable, with a clear artistic vision behind it. That said, it’s just not really my style of music.

Surprised by how much I liked this. First few songs drift into one another seamlessly, a bit long but a good album

shitty album name and art lets a really interesting and fun album down. Dance or die and the tightrope are great tracks. first half is really strong. its really eclectic. mushroom and roses is an awesome epic tune. make the bus is great aswell. its really fun. not perfect and abit long, some songs feel a little bit like filler. enjoyed though

Been a while since I gave this a spin. I remember there was a lot of buzz, folks thought she was the next big thing. Lots of good tunes, we don't do this enough.

There are some some really powerful tracks here that show a diversity of influences and there are some self-indulgent tracks on the deluxe version.

I really appreciate the cohesiveness of the album and how it samples many genres. She has an incredible voice. I could see her doing Disney soundtracks. Clearly an entertainer. Not sure anything stood out I got hooked on but all above average for an hour long album.

This was actually good to listen too, added it to my liked album

Pretty cool

The ArchAndroid is absolutely incredible. I've no idea how this passed me by as it's one of the most acclaimed albums of the last decade, but the first listen was a bit of a revelation. The variety (rooted in soul but has full on classical, psychedelia, proggy shit, the lot), the instrumental and vocal performances, the song writing, the structure of the album is all top rate. Was honestly tempted give it a 5 but I think I need to listen to it some more first. Would definitely be getting a 9.

Argh

the name made it sound like it was gonna be another one of those mid electronic albums but no this was amazing

Definitely of its time, it has a very 2010s sound to it. Suite three is overall more enjoyable than suite two.

Good

Great voice. She sings several different styles from jazz to R&B to classical to pop to contemporary....

Loved the start of this album with a beautifully orchestrated piece into fast paced lyrics that immediately grabbed my attention and held it as the first couple of songs blended into the next ,which created a really cohesive experience.

Honestly was pretty blown away by this one. This album has it all! Soul, pop, hip hop, funk, rock, jazz, etc. Its also got some terrific features such as Big Boi and Of Montreal. There's just so much going on here that I will definitely be returning to! Favorite track: Cold War

refreshingly different. Claire de lune samples

Pretty cool mix of sounds, funk, classic, hip-hop 7/10

Favorites: Faster, Cold War, Tightrope Monae at their peak, and while they continue to be a strong force in music today (yes, I liked The Age of Pleasure), it's always fun to go back to The ArchAndroid and admire the work that went into making such a cohesive concept record.

8.5/10 very interesting

4.5/5 seriously impressive album, every track sounds fresh and janelle's performance blows me away. if you told me this released this year i would believe you Fav tracks: Dance or Die, Faster, Cold War, Tightrope, Neon Valley Street

Extremely wide range of noises and styles. A few standout bangers but strong throughout!

I'd listen to it again

Such an entrance. Ambitious, diverse and beautiful. Though could have maybe done with some tightening up.

Yup pretty grand this and considering it’s a debut album even more impressive. I knew and always loved the single Tightrope (shadows of OutKast) but a deep dive into this album revealed a massive mix of different genres which really surprised and pleased me.

4/5

Powerful, mysterious, fresh, exciting

Ihan hyvä, ennenkin kuultu ja tuttu artisti. Teema pysyy hyvin.

Not too bad

Shit va grym. Total överraskning. Såg albumet å tänkte, "åh, nej". Men det är riktigt piggt och lattjo. Ibland ett skimmer av musikal, men ack så liten. Cold war är fet! Kommer lyssna mer. Blir en enkel fyra iaf.

Otroligt kul överraskning, vilken jäkla genreöverskridande, mångfacetterad och säregen skiva. Lyssnat igenom den 4-5 gånger nu och den har växt för varje gång. Älskar Michael Jackson-influenserna. Hur kan inte Cold War ha varit en större hit? Stark fyra och skulle säkert kunna bli en femma med fler lyssningar.

holy clair de lune

This is very diverse, basically all over the place, but in a good way. Her fantastic voice keeps it all together. Four!

Ambitious and adventurous. Applause for the amazing ArchAndroid.

Väldigt high key produktion utan att det känns överdrivet. Intressant melodiskt och ackordmässigt stundtals. Svängigt.

Definitely sounds like 2000s art pop, but this album bounces around pop, r&b, and sci-fi enough that it’s hard to label. I definitely enjoyed listening to it but would have preferred something a little more grounded.

This was great, very diverse, ambitious in it's scope and had a clear concept.

3.8 Very interesting and technically complex.half to have four. That added to liked albums

Wow. Totally unknown name for me, didn't know what to expect and it was a really exciting listen. It is complex and eclectic, diverse, conceptual work of art. I only give it 4 out of 5 because although my brain understands how great it is, my soul doesn't fully align with the vibe.

so great

Inexplicably opens with a gorgeous orchestral track and (for the most part) continues that creativity and spontaneity throughout the record.

I like this…original and all tracks different

Classic for me

Janelle Monae is like a funky black female Bowie. I'm here for it.

A lot of variety and really great songs

Such a great voice and style. Album is varied, yet cohesive. Love it.

This was good but my wife summed it up perfectly. It's good because she makes it good, but there's no individual song that you think "that's a GREAT song"

I’ve liked a few Janelle Monáe tracks off Dirty Computer, but this was my first time listening to her debut album—and honestly, it didn’t quite land for me. She’s incredibly talented and theatrical, with a strong visual style. I can appreciate the creativity conceptually, but I just didn’t connect with the music on this one as much.

Beautiful voice and a lovely, fun blend of pop and r&b. The front half and the back half of the album felt like two different albums, but maybe that was the point.

What an electric record, Monae leaning into what could have been the most obnoxious Prince/theatre kid idiosyncrasies and somehow creating a singular pop epic. The first act is particularly stunning, a string of perfect songs running into one another. Even the stuff that doesn't work as well is such a bold swing — none moreso than the Of Montreal song that appears 50 minutes into the record — that you have to respect it. The first seconds of Cold War are as good as pop songwriting has been this century, the urgency of Outkast's B.O.B. maintained but its paranoia morphed into jubilation. Oh, Maker.

Had some crazy range of different styles, and all of them slap

-waow very cool, requires another listen and soon but i’m very impressed by the versatility Janelle showed as a singer and artist just in this very first concept album -i’ll have some of these tracks stuck in my head for days, i really liked most of the features too. glad i finally got to listen to this -Favorites are Dance or Die, Tightrope, and Say You’ll Go

I remember when this came out and I never really got into outside of the song Oh Maker. But coming back to it now, it's better and has more range. I wrote it off as an R&B album but it's more than just that.

Janelle Monáe’s The ArchAndroid is an ambitious, genre-blending journey where funk, sci-fi, and time travel apparently got very drunk together and made an album. It dazzles with visionary sound, operatic ambition, and enough costume changes to bankrupt a Broadway show. It’s like Prince and Fritz Lang co-hosted a party in space. Four out of five stars—because even androids need room to upgrade.

Quite enjoyed this

This album has a bit of everything! I appreciate a musician who is willing to flex a bunch of different muscles. Janelle Monáe takes you from pop/hiphop, to jazz, to sci-fi, to what feels like music from the Wiz? It was a lot to take in, but by the time the last song finished playing, this album exceeded my expectations.

A great mix of R&B, Hip Hop and Pop that a debut album was capable of be. This album gathers Suite 2 and 3 of her initial work, but the Suite 1 is on the EP, so is a listen recommended for context.

Love the classical influences, I feel like I should have known about this artist already

This album really surprised me, some of the songs almost has a Japanese jazz kinda vibe to it. Also love the way she incorporates classical music. Don't know I if it quite deserves 4 stars though. Maybe I'm just stoked about it not being punk or rock and actually something a bit more original.

Big shoutout to the KC native Janelle Monae. This album is incredibly unique and was well worth a listen. It was an interesting blend of genres that I mostly enjoyed. At some points it felt like I was listening to a play soundtrack, while other times just a nice contemporary mix of soul/R&B. I'm not sure I'd listen to it again, which is a must for all my 5 star rated albums, but good stuff nonetheless.

c:neon valley street

yllättävän kiva ja monipuolinen

I was introduced to this album shortly after it came out, when my coworker found out I am a fan of German Expressionism Silent Films, Progressive Rock, and Concept Albums in general. She said this album was definitely for me. Even though the album is only inspired by the 1927 Fritz Lang film Metropolis, and not actually based the picture, it's the fact that this is Monae's debut album, and the audacity to come out the gate with a concept story, is pretty bold and amazing in my book. The Lang Silent Film, is one of my all time favorite movies, but the concept of the two stories are vastly different, yet share some of the same themes. For this listen, I decided to also include Janelle's EP Metropolis, which is the first suite of the entire series. As I am listening, I also have the Fritz Lang film playing in the background (just for a fun Pink Floyd/Wizard of OZ vibe). But enough geeking out, let's talk about Archandroid. In my opinion what makes a great concept album, no matter what genre of music, is that it plays out as one piece or in Suites. This album starts with Suite II and just takes off from there. By the time we get to four songs in you don't even realize that you have listened to three different tracks, as the transitions are seamless. The songs do eventually start to feel individualized as we work our way deeper into the album, but it doesn't take away from the momentum and flow of this album. I was very happy to see this album pop up today, as it's been over 10 years since I have listened to it, and now I am already shopping around to see who has it on vinyl. Fun album, great concept, and definitely belongs on this list. Favorites: Dance or Die, Faster, Come Alive (War of the Roses), Neon Valley Street, and Wondaland.

Really liked this album, I love how varied it is although it sometimes felt a little too busy. Fav song: BaBopByeYa - had a few picked out as favourites but I think this one really shows the variety of the album as it changes multiple times throughout the song. Least fav: Neon Gumbo - is this backwards? I think it’s backwards. I love that she’s experimenting but it just doesn’t do it for me (although I like the thunder at the end)

This album is better than a few albums I gave 4 stars. But It's not quite a 5. There is a few tracks that could be removed completely. It's very interesting and certainly worth a listen.

Operatic! Janelle!!! So much better than the way i was introduced to her thru singles. Has that atlanta spirit, feels very 2010 but in a well aged way. FOUR!

I guess it is a concept album, but it feels like a soundtrack to a movie I would love to see. Janelle Monae is an extraordinary talent.

At the first song I thought it would be classical music, but that was not the case. Very nice music to listen to with songs that flow seamlessly into each other.

This album came to me in 2014 and put my on my first ever attempt at running. I associate it with Newcastle, misty mornings, and being out of breath but peaceful.

Unique sound and voice. She’s trying to be interesting and different, and I agree. A bit over the top with some songs

Incredible flow between songs, multiple genres covered and blended together seamlessly. Catchy af. Slightly disappointed with the of Montreal collab, would have sounded a million times more at home on an of Montreal album. Favourites - Dance or Die, Cold War, Oh Maker, Locked Inside Least Favourites - Make the Bus

Shockingly good

Never heard of Janelle Monáe before, but was very impressed. Fantastic voice, great lyrics, song really good songs.

it's very long and in parts annoying but also so ambitious and creative

Really interesting album. Great jazz influences. Faster, Locked Inside, Cold War, and Come Alive were stand out songs.

It was better than i expected.

i love any album that starts with the sounds of an orchestra being tuned and the chatter of a symphony hall. the archandroid comes in promising vibes and it delivers. there are some moments that strain or feel a bit bloated, but at it's best (neon valley street) it feels like listening to lauren hill transported to the future and that's an excellent best.

This is a coldddd war, you better know what you're fighting for. I like a handful of tracks enough to bump this rating up.

La intro, que tienen los raperos con las intros? Dance or die mother is mothering COMO ENLAZA CON FASTER En uno de los temas samplea bateria de rock with you, muy buen disco

I was only familiar with her acting but this album has some nice grooves. Top half of the album is certified. I was excited to see the of Montreal collab but it's unfortunately disappointing. It's all Kevin Barnes and no Janelle Monae.

Enjoyed. Would listen again. Surprised by some 60’s vibes. Stand out track Come Alive.

Operatic and funky, I didn't get bored listening to this. The features fit in with the dimensions of her personality that are being explored, and I appreciated the variety.

Wow, this was a highly enjoyable listen. On top of having some strong tracks that have good vibes (Tightrope, Cold War, Dance Or Die to name a view), there are also some interesting slower jams that work really well and add depth to the album (Neon Valley Street, Mushrooms & Roses). Just a great mix of songs here. Super well-produced. I think this is a pretty solid 4 for me and might creep towards a 5 on repeated listens.

I remember enjoying this when it came out, but haven't spent much time with it since then. Listened to this twice through this morning and am left with a familiar impression. Front to back the album is well-produced and varied, with a soulful-pop backbone (Dance or Die, Locked Inside, Tightrope, Cold War, Wondaland) laced with folk, psychedelia (Sir Greendown, Mushrooms & Roses), and an operatic vibe. The fusion makes for a very enjoyable listen, made all the better by Monae's absolutely delightful vocals. Songs I keep coming back to are Neon Valley Street, Wondaland (such a fun song), Cold War, Sir Greendown, Tightrope (also just a lot of fun), and Mushrooms & Roses. Solid 4 / 5 for me. This one is made for bright and sunny days where you don't have any real obligations.

Was certainly a really unique album that I am happy I listened to before I die. It was a touch long at 68 minutes but I did not mind at all with how much variety was on it. Some of the guitar that came in was really cool as well as the other sound effects. I liked the song with Big Boi as well. Very solid 4

6 songs in and I am enjoying the hell out of this. Extremely refreshing listen so far. Cold War is a banger. Dope feature with Sir Lucious Left Foot on Tightrope. She was on his solo debut too which came out the same year. Loving the psychedelia in Mushrooms & Roses, this song is top tier. Kinda reminds me of some Childish Gambino. Make The Bus reminds me of MGMT a ton. Pretty fun track. Not sure how I feel about Wondaland on the first listen. But the second listen I'm kinda bouncing. Has a weird 90's vibe to the vocals. Say You'll Go was beautiful. Loved the Claire De Lune part at the end. Really great album but had some songs that dragged on. Super high 4 though.

3.5 rounded down

R & B prowess On a smorgasbord of styles All serenely sang

Not one to be pigeon-holed. Really varied and creative ideas

It was good. Not for me.

Incredibly opulent from start to finish; this album sounds expensive. Nobody can do what Prince did, but Janelle Monáe gives it a damn good go. I hadn’t listened to this album in a while and had forgotten just how great it is. Some superb features by Saul Williams and Big Boi, but Monáe could have carried this album all on her own; she is an extreme talent and this album was a joy to revisit.

what an interesting album

A retrofuturistic amalgamation of genres, tying together sounds from the past, present, and future of soul, pop, hip hop, rock, psychedelia, funk, and probably More. I felt the concept more than consciously following it - The album is very cohesive despite its wide ranging sound. There’s enough diversity to maintain interest across the longer run time, though I prefer the energy and excitement of Suite II to the more relaxed and sensual Suite III. The music and vocal performance are consistory strong. Lots of rich instrumentals and arrangements to explore. Enjoyable on a first listen, and an album you can dig deeper into each time.

This was great. A mix of r&b, jazz, hip hop, and more. Very well executed.

8/10 Well, well, well. My heart sank when this came up. I didnt know it and I was all set to be granting it 2 stars. But I was wonderfully wrong! It's funky, funny and clever. It's superbly varied. It has SONGS that evolve and are coherent. It has some guitar!! The point of doing this is to challenge oneself to listen to things I wouldn't normally in the hope of finding things that are fresh. Hooray

Very much not like I expected, very bipolar album, some boring songs, some really amazing tracks and all the in between, however I feel like there is more positive than negative to say about this

Wow this album is such a unique experience. Very eclectic, exploring many different genres from pop to funk to rap with influences from an even more varied roster of genres. It's well produced and executed, such a cinematic experience and her voice + mic presence are great.

The ArchAndroid is an ambitious, wildly creative album that refuses to sit still for even a second. Janelle Monáe blends funk, soul, hip hop, rock, orchestral pop, and even touches of folk into a sci-fi concept record that somehow feels both futuristic and timeless. Songs like Tightrope, Cold War, and Locked Inside burst with energy and invention, while the suites and interludes tie everything together with an operatic sweep that’s rarely seen in modern pop. It’s a dense album, packed with ideas, but it never feels bloated—Monáe’s charisma and vision guide you through every twist and turn. Even when it risks getting a little too sprawling, the sheer imagination and musical craftsmanship win you over. The ArchAndroid isn’t just a debut album, it’s a full-blown mission statement, and one that still feels thrillingly ahead of its time.

Great album, really bouncy songs with great vocals, guitar stood out in some songs

Good and genre bending. Might have to come back to this album and listen more closely

An interesting mix of musical styles and genres that offers a glimpse into the unique perspective of the artist. It is successful in blending various references to create interesting tracks, and the vocals are solid. There are a few moments where the project gets a little lost--some of the styles shift drastically between tracks and some of the longer tracks get repetitive. Overall, it is an interesting concept.

Loved it. Glad to have seen her in Houston a few years ago, quite a show. And this album made me goo look for more! She's good!

Hell yea, this album was a bop.

I didn’t think I was in the mood for this when I first started listening but by Locked Inside I was grooving.

Yeah, this is truly excellent. Beautiful production and arrangements. Nothing but skill and talent on display here. It’s a fun concept. Pretty daring for a pop star. Don’t love all of it, but there’s very good work on this record. It’s fun finding all of her musical references.

I really like this and took my time before writing a review because felt it had five star potential. But after a few listens, it just feels a bit too long. Not as good as ‘Dirty Computer’.

Saw her live last year and the production was like something from a primary school play. That is why I had really low expectations for this album and because of that It really surprised me in a good way.

I recognize the cover of this album, but I'd never been inspired to listen to it. Initially, it seemed like another commercially over-rated pop and R&B release, so I wasn't really looking forward to checking it out. However, I was surprised by how much it offers. It's definitely a progressive pop album with influences that include hip hop, electronic music, jazz, rock, and alternative. I may not revisit this album in the future, it was a pretty good listen for something with a more commercial pop leaning.

Very cinematic sounding album. Works very well as a suite of no particular song would make it onto a playlist. Will definitely check out more of her stuff

For some reason I was hesitant to listen to this album but when I did I was pleasantly surprised - especially the second half

Wow. What a wild way to start this adventure. Not my typical taste in music, but this album is on another level. Definitely worth another listen to.

Chill album with great background music. Perfect for some work at home days

Pare un bel servizio, vediamo quanto lo userò! Il primo è un ottimo suggerimento, artista che non ho mai ascoltato e album molto vario pur rimanendo coeso.

It was okay. Maybe need to listen more. Maybe just not my cup of tea

Offbeat and interesting pop music. Janelle Monae has a great voice too

Very enjoyable

Impressive range and virtuosity, but not always my thing. Sometimes totally my thing.

Didn't know what to expect with this album, thought she was the fella that was married to Jason Momoa. Anyway this album is class

Impressive debut, hits multiple genres, which is a pro and con, probably too long. 3.5/5 if possible but will round up to 4.

Funky af

Dance or Die - Yooooooooo this is sick. Opens with 3 bangers before a slower tempo song that's good but not great. Cold War - alright but a little too pop. Tightrope was ft. Big Boi. Come Alive - Cool classic US rock style. A lot of the later songs are more chill, kinda movie musical-esque and classical themed. Pretty good.

She’s very talented and has a beautiful voice. But I don’t like dance/pop music

I can't believe this record is already 15 years old. I dabbled in it when it first came out because Janelle Monáe is an undeniable talent, but don't remember it super well at all. Taken aback to hear Kevin Barnes doing a very of Montreal-y feeling song on the back end of this album. Fun for sure, but not her best by any means.

Sometimes, there's musicians who remind you by their sheer talent why they make you feel feelings between "absolute respect" and "Oh, my God, do I have a crush?". Janelle is absolutely in this category for me.

87/100. The ArchAndroid by Janelle Monáe is a fantastic art pop debut that showcases her bold creativity and genre-defying style. The production is sublime, her vocals are powerful and dynamic, and the way she seamlessly shifts between genres—from funk and soul to rock and orchestral pop—is nothing short of impressive. A rich, imaginative, and cohesive album with nothing to complain about. An incredible debut that still feels fresh and groundbreaking.

Great old school indie vibe

This album goes anywhere it wants to, every following song on the album is a surprise. I liked the EDM touches that keep it modern sounding. The last 2 songs were a bit of a dud but otherwise I enjoyed everything that was on here. The concept is really cool and I like the album cover a lot as well.

Good for a Monday!

Very well-produced albeit a little too long which hurt the latter half of the album. I wish there was a half star or a three quarter star, because this is the only thing stopping me from giving it 5 stars. All the different styles and rhythms showed me that Monáe is a very talented and broad artist. I had no idea who she was and I want to hear more from here.

Never actually listened to her but this album is amazing.

I read a while ago that Janelle Monae refers to herself as a’futurist’. This album presents a future of music that heavily relies on reflections of the past, which I respect. It was interesting to hear the blend of classical (Suite II) blended with modern speed rap/dance (Dance or Die was an impressive song), while Cold War felt like a Donna Summers flashback, and Sir Greendown felt like a Nico homage. Favorite song was the collaboration with Big Boi Tightrope which reminded me how good OutCast was, and how good Ms. Monae is. The more I write about this album the more I realize how much I like it. I didn’t even hate looking at the cover repeated…

29/03/25 Never judge a book by its cover, I was fully ready to write this off. It wasn't too bad.

Big opening. I was enjoying some of the vibe but it went all over. I feel like if this clicked it would be an album I couldn't stop listening to but it wasn't clicking and I don't think could for me. I like the moxie and there's a lot of skill here. Do another 100 albums like this and one of those is a masterpiece for sure. High 3 or low 4.

Discazo. Tal vez un poco largo para mi gusto, pero qué arreglos, qué orquestaciones. Ya había escuchado discos de Monáe, pero este me parece creo que de los mejores.

This was a pleasant surprise. I wasn't sure of what to expect just by looking at the artist's name and album artwork. What I got was a bombastic, overthought (yet super enjoyable!) album that definitely needs more listens! Looking at the Wikipedia page, I see comparisons with Bowie, Outkast or Michael Jackson, but to be honest I don't think it has that much to do. This album is a singular piece of music on itself, and I promise I'll come back to it again. Probably not for driving, as on the first listen it didn't sound like a sing along thingy.

Interplanetary it may be, but disco is what it often sounds like (and mostly in a good way -- like P-Funk good way, with some notes and vibes that Tame Impala would late steal, too). "Locked Inside" achieves liftoff. "Oh Maker" and "Neon Valley Street" are terific, the latter being most Prince-esque. Overall, this feels like a major star turn, and an order of magnitude more ambitious (with the attendant risk of being overdone) than her previous, which were also quite likable (one feels some compunction to revisit). She pulls it off, and the variety is compelling – the ethereal "57821" and Debussian "Say You'll Go" could not contrast more with "Make the Bus" (where Of Montreal turn up to pretty bonkers effect) and "Tightrope" (whence Big Boi bounces out), and the closing cut tries to wrap it all up in one big, multi-modal, richly layered and heavily orchestrated package. One both enjoys the record and admires it, which is the tricky balance ambitious artists aim to strike. Just f*in good and fun.

Wonderful album. Saw her in concert a few years ago and she is very entertaining!

Very much enjoyed the instrumentals Current Fav: Suite III Overture

This was an amazing album. Loved the music. Everything felt together, it all flowed from one track to the next.

She doesn't get enough credit

Really enjoyed this which surprised me. Only criticism it was a bit too long, take 20 minutes off it and would have been perfect.

4 Tightrope stands up. Come Alive (War of the Roses) is fantastic and surprising. Make the bus is also really good. 57821 - mix of indie and folk.

Possibly the most eclectic album in the list so far. It has symphonic, rap, R&B, theatrical, electronic/sci-fi sounds, church choir, etc. Very impressive. I don't feel specifically hooked by individual songs, but I'm really enjoying the album as a whole.

Lots of stylistic variety. Great singing. Definitely seems worth returning to when there’s more time.

Wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. Ended up listening to it all the way through while at work. Smooth.

Full of personality, undeniably fun. The album still feels cohesive and thematic despite all sorts of full-out genre changes throughout.

Still as great as when it came out

I think this was very interesting and classy. I may just have a thing for this French style, IDK. I love how "different" it is and how it tries to integrate more mainstream forms of genre into this ... dramatic undertoned style. I would like to give it a three and a half. I may opt for a four here because I think it is worthy a listen and I had never come close to hearing anything by her before, so the boost might introduce others to this style. Just note that while I like it, I don't personally love all of it or think it perfect or anything. So three point five raised to four for the sake of exposure.

Enjoyed it more than I thought I would

che me pareció muy bueno heh

Stevie Wonder chord progressions, ELO lyrics, funky bass lines, ripping guitar solos, exquisite production, with a sexy millennial fembot on the cover … I can’t sit here and say I didn’t like it.

Solid, some tracks felt a bit long but was entertained.

Amazing album. Overall it was too varied in style for me to truly enjoy it as a whole album, but it felt more like a family style meal at a fancy restaurant where you’re getting bits and pieces of excellence and taking it in bit by bit. Come Alive and Neone Valley Street in particular were amazing tracks for me. Super solid and interesting listen.

Wow, where to begin? Janelle Monáe has crafted an experience in doing so, has elevated the pop album. Her influences are vast: jazz, swing, hip-hop, soul, gospel, psychedelic rock, rockabilly.... it goes on. And it's downright impressive how effortlessly she seems to move between them. It really speaks to the sequencing of the album as well. Monáe has a demanding presence whether singing or rapping... and what a voice. Wow! This is one instance where the music is so good, that the concept actually holds it back a little bit. My prime example is "Cold War": musically great, but lyrically clunky. That said, I love the Afro-futurist inspiration and wouldn't change that at all. To simply label The ArchAndroid as any particular genre or style would be reductive, and to refer to Janelle Monáe anything other than an artist is to severely underrate her. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because I doubt I would come back to it all that often (not my personal style of music) but to deny her artistry and vision would be ignorant; plain and simple.

I kind of know Janelle Monáe more for her acting nowadays, that I almost forgot that she's had (and is still somewhat having) a successful music career. With "The ArchAndroid", we very much have a concept album here. Apparently this is a continuation of Monáe's debut EP, which I haven't heard. Thematically, heavy inspiration is grabbed from Fritz Lang's classic science-fiction film "Metropolis". You definitely see it on the cover as well. But the blending of R&B, soul and pop (among many others) with this sort of "retro-futurism" theme is what I think makes this album unique. It all operates on a grand scale and yet never feels too "showy".

В цілому чотри зірки за першу пісню в альбомі. Взагалі альбом дуже крутий,я радий,що його почув,тому 4 зірки

This one grew on me. Maybe I had high standards seeing Janelle Monae here, unexpected to start with. Love their acting work and fashion, but I didn't know they also made music. The classical opening intrigued me, but the first songs felt too polished somehow. Maybe another listen would be different now I'm into it. They were well made but maybe their crystal clear voice was almost too... neutral for this? As the album went on the eccentricity and darkness started to gather in force, which I was all here for. More wacky instrumentals, showy, musical-esque moments and more interludes all built up an artful concept, and a chance for them to show some really soulful singing. Oh, Maker took my breath away in particular.

Hearing so many other albums on this list helps you appreciate how this one is a genre-bending, well-produced, expansive piece of art. It simply blows away many of the earlier list albums by building upon many of their elements all at once. If you don’t give this 4+ stars, you’re probably a bitter boomer

Die erste Hälfte ist ein Fünfsternealbum

1️⃣Cold War 2️⃣Locked Inside 3️⃣Dance or Die

This one is a keeper. I love albums that work a story and a concept from start to finish. I love the sci fi story that can also relate to what's happening in real life. The music is awesome too. I've never heard about this artist before or anything from this album. I think it's really well produced, like the good kind of pop music. Eclectic and not extremely commercial. This music is like an art project wrapped in pop music. I like it.

The illuminati make some pretty mean tunes sometimes

This album has got to be a story of a producer with 2 personalities. For the first half it's fine, nice and safe candy music. Then at some point personality 2 takes over and just goes, show us what you can do, any genre, we don't care, do what you want to do. The listening experience went from this is fine, to, actually this is kinda cool.

LOVE a Janelle Monáe! ArchAndroid isn't my favorite of her albums, but there is such a strong groundwork laid for each follow up that I can't not love it <3 and this being released in 2010 is soooooo electric lady

Enjoyed this a lot. The variety of the different songs really kept you guessing what would be next. I did not like how Spotify split songs that are obviously supposed to run together. The spilt second gap was frustrating. I liked Monae's voice, although I think I caught a little autotune, but it was negligible. I did feel "Mushroom & Roses" was a little long, along with "Say You'll Go". "Wondaland" was a bit repetitive, also. But the rest fit really well. Top tracks: "Dance Or Die," "Faster," "Tightrope," "Neon Gumbo"

Interesting album - it's progressive R&B! I'm not a big R&B fan, but I can appreciate the creativity on this album. Plus, there are a lot of tracks with just the kind of weirdness I like (e.g., Make the Bus, Wondaland, Mushrooms & Roses). Really liked Come Alive (especially the crazed singing towards the end). Some nice guitar solos on the album also (e.g., Neon Valley Street). BabopbyeYa provides a dramatic over the top ending. I enjoyed the album more and more each time I listened, which is always a good sign. I'll give it a 4 and would definitely revisit.

actually the first album i'd listen to again and with songs i've saved separately! really liked it for the most part

I do sometimes miss when Janelle Monae was making these insanely intricate, operatic albums - some of the compositions are so lush and gorgeous it stops you in your tracks - but these structures were also clearly kind of a gilded cage of Monae's own design, and that feels really evident in the back half of The ArchAndroid.

I am a huge Janelle Monáe stan. I would love to give this album a 5 for that reason alone. However, as a huge Janelle Monáe stan, I have listened to their other albums, and I know two things: 1) as far as robot-themed epics of love and race and revolution go, The Electric Lady is superior and 2) as far as groovy-ass R&B albums that touch on as wide of a thematic and sonic ground go, Dirty Computer remains the best* (*read: my favorite) album of the 2010s. That being said, this album remains ambitious in scope, silly at times in execution (on purpose), and with some all time bangers left over - if you've never gotten chills from watching the "Cold War" music video, well, I'm assuming you've never logged on to YouTube before. This laid the groundwork for Monáe's best work, but wow, what a foundation.

Det är något med det här som är väldigt tilltagande. Gillar att det är sån skillnad på låtarna och brett spektra på genrer. Det är väl långt men på något sätt så håller det. Väldigt coolt album

Unique and enjoyable. I have come to appreciate albums like this. They take one out of their comfort zone and show you something different. After listening you are forever changed for the better. Gaining a broader and deeper meaning of what music really is.

A sci-fi concept album focusing on civil rights and discrimination through many genres while referencing things like Blade Runner, Terminator and especially Metropolis. It's geeky but also very heartfelt and fun, with a lot of passion put into the album. Previously I have listened to their album The Electric Lady and was happy to listen to another album of theirs!!

Love these concept albums. Pretty awesome melding of different genres and styles, there's ups and downs, and it's all a little psychedelic which I like.

This was worth a listen. For an early career album this is excellent. Nice range of styles.

Very different and interesting! I feel like of the albums I've listened to so far, this is probably the most technically beautiful album I've heard.

Really fun, boundary-pushing pop music highlighted by Janelle's vocals and excellent composition. I think some fat could definitely be trimmed, (especially the track with Of Montreal), but the highlights really stand out for me. 8/10

Really good ... There are some very good, deep songs on here, tons of great beats, and a couple that were a little too pop for me.

Never heard of her before, but rather enjoyed the album.

Catchy, groovy tunes, gives me modern Michael Jackson vibes - Voice and instrumentals are diverse and standouts, they are clean yet have the old-school R&B feel - Not much to complain about, but did not blow me away

This was fresh and quite unique sounding to me. She seemed to incorporate several different genres/sounds but kept it all quite cohesive which made for a pleasant listening experience. 3.5 stars but I'm feeling generous so rounding up. Blend.

Thoroughly enjoyed this! I haven’t listened to much Janelle Monáe previously but not sure why - will be adding to my playlists

Big fan of this album! From start to finish - cool sounding songs, great vocals. Overall, great album, that I will 100% listen to again.

Pretty dang cool and I didn’t know it existed.

She's really good - the album conceptually is interesting and I appreciate the variety of styles here. And an Of Montreal feature! Cool

This was pretty cool, lots of different interesting music. Listens almost like a musical soundtrack

amazing album, tons of variety and great musicians. The vocals are awesome and the vision is intriguing.

luv u Janelle Monáe art deco cyborg pop album

Never heard of it before today but I did enjoy it.

Really enjoyed Dirty Computer (Make Me Feel is one of the best songs Prince never wrote), remember seeing this record in the end of year lists years earlier and being intrigued by the Fritz Lang aping cover. Didn't get around to it though. I know enough to know she is an extremely interesting artist. So here we go. Oh man, I love how this never lets up. No break between songs. Going to take time to digest however. Pop can pop and be accessible while staying interesting. Plenty weirdness here however although curiously most songs aren't standing out to me despite all being different. The Of Montreal song sounds like all Of Montreal songs, ie, mental, catchy, but never sticking to the same melodic rhythm for more than about 15 seconds. Which is distinctive, to say nothing else. This record is for sure a little too long. Dirty Computer is most definitely more accessible than this. Gonna rate it highly though.

Great album with loads of different styles and genres. It's pretty epic in length and scope but I didn't get bored during it as it's always bringing something new in from song to song. She is cool AF too which helps.

A fun and refreshing album that’s on this list. I really really like this and enjoyed it!

Andi from Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery?? I’ve never heard of this album but what a strong start to this project. Psychedelic space funk. Also, I totally forgot about Of Montreal, what a throwback.

What an album. I had a grand time listening to it a few times. 57821 and Cold War were some of my favorites.

Many genres at once

pop perfection! i can’t believe there’s an of montreal feature on this thing.

Любимая исполнительница. Хотелось бы, чтобы она выпускала больше музыки, но то, что имеется - очень хорошо. Лучшая песня - Cold War.

I love when the days album is by an artist I have never heard of so I have no idea what to expect when I start listening. After the first song I went about making breakfast with the album playing in me headphones and suddenly 7 songs had passed and I was really enjoying the music. While its not a style I often listen to myself songs from this album will have their place in several playlists so I can groove along when they come up.

I know of Janelle but honestly didn’t know what to expect here. Admittedly I probably expected something much poppier, for no good reason. I thoroughly enjoyed this, just a really fun album. The wide pool of influences used here is about as varied as Janelle’s talents, just really impressed.

Wonderfully eclectic

This was a fantastic surprise. I'm starting to think I just like R&B a lot. this is such a black girl confidence bop!

Catchy Sound, interesting mix of genres

I like the beginning of the album more than the end of it

Overall: 8/10 I really appreciate the genre-blending Monae does on this album. It's still a pop album at the end of the day but she experiments with making danceable bops and beautiful ballads, all with a futuristic angle. Tightrope is also may be the most fun song I've heard while going through this list, I adore it. I could see this getting a perfect rating from me after a few more listens. Fav Song: Tightrope Least Fav Song: Say You'll Go

Dirty computer is her best album.

This one has some high highs. It felt like a Prince album in the way it seamlessly flowed through and flirted with different genres. It would’ve been so much better if the record had been trimmed down. Definitely saving a lot of the songs.

Wow. This is quite good. The first few songs are actually amazing. The vibe changes in the back half , a little more laid back for my liking but still good. This was a nice surprise as I did not know what to expect.

Film music-ish. Very nice

I don't really know what to make of this but I think I liked it?

yasss

I didn't know she was a musician but this album is as good as Glass Onion (the movie).

Great

Sci Fi RnB? Had no idea what I was missing.

A bit hectic and overproduced for my taste but has very good tracks. Cold War is incredible, for example.

Great flow from Suite II Overture to Locked Inside. This album has a lot of great songs, but some songs are a bit weird. The weirdest one was Neon Gumbo, but at least that one is short. There's 7 stand-out songs. Hard to pick a favourite.

This album art was super familiar for me but I can't remember when/why I listened to this before. This is some really great soul/R&B/pop music. It's unique and layered and so much better than any straight pop album these days.

I came to Janelle Monáe late but I really love her last two albums. Very pleased this thing got me to finally go back and listen to her first. I don't think it is quite as good as the ones I know but that could just be that it's hard to take in a 70+ minute concept album in one day.

Great variety, from R&B feels to pop-rock-esque

It was great just not my kind of music

really consistent. so full of character and life. take away Make the Bus and its pretty much perfect

absolute MONSTER of an album. she pulls you in with the first half being a stellar pop/funk/electronic/disco album. then slowly we get deeper and deeper musically and stylistically until we reach the final 8 minute orchestral track to bring everything to a climactic end. simply brilliant

Superambitieus als debuut en tegelijk zo goed uitgewerkt, heb eigenlijk niet veel klachten erover dus dit is meer een 4.5 omlaag afgerond. Misschien kon het ietsje getrimd worden qua aantal nummers, maar moet het nog een paar keer luisteren om daar beter over te oordelen en dat is het enige nitpicky dat ik kan bedenken, iig.

Top album, did not expect. Ik zie mezelf dit oprecht nog een keer luisteren. Wel op niche momenten, maar still. Good stuff. Favo tracks: Cold war, come alive, wondaland

I recently had the privilege of watching Fritz Lang's Metropolis accompanied by a theater organ performance of the original score, and I can feel a lot of the DNA from both the film and its soundtrack in this album. There's a massive stylistic variety on this album, and it stands utterly unique from most of the music of today. There is a lot about this album that I love- but unfortunately I can't bring myself to love the album itself. The thing that frustrates me is that I cannot pinpoint *why* I feel somewhat apathetic to this album, despite liking so much about it. There are a few tracks I do love, especially "Wondaland" and "BaBopByeYa," but the whole package just doesn't land for me. That said, I am still a fan and hope that I can grow to appreciate Monáe's work more.

I loved some of the bops on the album. Overall, I didn't know she had so many instrumental songs.

Never have I ever listened to Janelle Monae before and I’m glad I finally did! Super weird album, but I’m giving extra credit and rounding up for what felt like a smooth, groovy ride anyway.

Really fun variety

Die erste Hälfte ist ein Fünfsternealbum

好新的专辑

This one was a surprise. I'd never heard of it before, but the creativity involved got my interest right from the start.

I have a lot of time for Janelle. She has the voice and look to be very straightforward pop superstar. And she sort of is ... but in her own very Janelle Monae way. I've always like ArchAndroid, but not as much as her first foray into the concept. It covers a lot of ground, and it feels a bit too ambitious. But it's it's always interesting and unique.

I love how this album has so much variety and so many interesting sounds. The run of psych songs later in the album was soo good. She is an impressive vocalist and she seems a bit weird which is a big turn on for me. What gives her the right to be gorgeous, talented, and also interesting?

Really fun record! Janelle Monae is really interesting to me, I had heard about this but never commited. It's really cool and varied. She plays with a lot of cool elements of pop, psych, jazz, funk and prog. I love the storytelling and how this album flows from one song to the next telling a story. Its a really fun take on pop music and really pushes the boundaries of what the genre can do.

I wasn’t expecting today’s selection to be an Afrofuturist concept album inspired by Fritz Lang’s Metropolis, but it turns out that it was exactly what I needed this morning. It’s gloriously textured and complex and I’m already listening for the second time. I’m also a sucker for any album that has an orchestral overture! My highlight is the psychedelic Mushrooms & Roses which explores the unexpected subject of robot sex. Droidtastic!

Wacky album cover Stranger profile picture too I had a bunch of notes written but they didn't save :) A really strange blend of styles in one album, very different. I listened to it all once through in the background but had other noises going on. I relistened to it on shuffle and was consistently surprised by the difference between songs. Actually some very funky tracks, I got into a few of them Interesting having the "Suites" II and III combined into a "mega album". Does make it feel longer but its a solid heap of tracks. The inclusion of overtures leading into each suite was interesting as well. Overall I was surprised by my enjoyment of this, I wasn't expecting much to be completely honest. Come Alive (War of the Roses) was very reminicient of Diablo Swing Orchestra (probably because the entire song is swung) I swear I've heard Locked Inside's chorus somewhere else, I just don't know where. Has to be in an edit or reel or something. Same with Faster, no idea. Cold War was a vibe, 16ths on the hats, very groovy. Lots of bell and ride during the choruses, very fun "Oh Maker"'s 1 and 3 drum+bass pattern reminded me a lot of Christmas songs for whatever reason (During the higher section at 2:00 especially), but also of electro swing tracks like Proleter's April Showers Plenty of the songs had interesting, very artsy, motifs and decisions that don't feel very mainstream (Which I'm all for, when its not the entire track). The change of genres throughout the album often caught me offguard Not a great album, but plenty of great songs

What a storyteller. *Favorite tracks: Dance or Die Cold War Tightrope Come Alive Neon Valley Street BaBopByeYa

way better than i would have expected

This was intriguingly good. I'd never heard of the singer before but the album opening was brilliant. Didn't maintain those heights but overall very enjoyable and something I'll come back to

This is great. So many influences I can hear, from Lauryn Hill to Bowie to Ella Fitzgerald to more modern indie rock. Janelle's amazing voice is the constant. Really enjoyed this one.

This girl has a voice! Fantastic instrumentation. Very inventive production. Fun ride start to finish. Fav Track: Locked Inside

She is one of the best singers and the writing is great. This album is actually better than I remember, but it's a lot all the time. This feels like it could easily be 3 albums and not how it's placed on the album. Then the songs themselves are just... To much? Trying a bit too hard? I don't know. The whole album seems busy and it starts to distract from the star, Janelle herself. That being said I remember it being a lot worse when I heard it when it first came out so maybe in 20 years it will sound perfect?

This was an impressive listen, a mish-mash of different genres and influences from all over the place, but it all somehow comes together and just works.

pre: I really like Janelle Monáe but I mostly know her from songs here and there (I have listened to Come Alive approx 1 million times). I like the theatricality of her performance. Looking forward to seeing if a straight-through listen holds up. Not my normal listening but I really enjoyed this, I will listen again

Favorite tracks: Locked Inside, Thugga Massina, Mushrooms and Roses. Surprising amount of variety across this record.

Really good. Great vocals and some really fun production choices at times

I really enjoyed this album. Janelle's voice is gorgeous. She has a cool vibe as well. There were 3 songs I could have done without. That's the reason for the 4 stars.

Yes. This is a cracker. Full of memorable songs that will get you up and dancing, or nodding in a reflective mood, as the mood befits. She's not a bad actress either you know...

This album had me constantly asking what it was. It’s a chameleon with so many different colors. R&B, stadium rock, electronic, pop, etc. Janelle Monae has a great voice. I loved how in the first half of the album, sets of three songs would transition directly into each other. That said, I fell off in the second half of the album because it was on the longer side and had lost its luster. I also don’t think these songs work as singles. That’s not a bad thing, just that it works better as an album. Standouts: Dance or Die, Faster, Locked Inside, Tightrope, Oh, Maker, and 57821.

Prob one of the strongest 4 stars ive given. I loved it but didnt think it was as good as my other 5s. Maybe itll grow on me some more and then ill prob put it even higher.

Super cool, music great one spng different from the other, high end production. Some songs are really bangers. The last one is my favourite

great songs <3

ty janelle monáe for envisioning and creating beautiful new sonic worlds 🙏

I thought the album flowed really well together. As someone that doesn't pay a ton of attention to which song I'm on in the album, the songs flowed so well that I couldn't really tell when one song ended and another began. Songs were pretty unique and different than what I'm used to, would listen to some more.

Loved it. This would be a five except for there was one bit of TERRIBLE rapping that was just obliged back then, and some of the songs were kind of forgettable.

Songs: Cold War

Cool and different.

First listen. Pretty good. Pleasantly surprised.

She has such a great feel for rhythm and the Of Montreal collab almost puts this at 5. It's a 4.5, but going to 4 for a bit of same-ness.

Epic and ambitious. Multi Genre dabbling pays off with an eclectic and exciting sound.

This album is enjoyably eclectic. The range and diversity in sound within its own genre is astounding. A breath of fresh air.

Surprisingly good album. Eclectic and ever changing genres and they were all handled very well

Great album. I am mostly struck by how far reaching across genres it is. Opening with classical overture, then moving to 80s and 90s pop and rap, and Sir Greendown is a 1950s enchanting soft hula sound, club sounds for Cold War, the almost cartoon sound of Oh Maker. 57821 is 1960s soft gentle psych pop. The whole thing is extremely ambitious and expansive, and importantly succeeds. For sure this album deserves its place on the list; it's not like anything else I've heard. And there's so much to hear, not just in terms of the length. And although it's very long, crucially it's interesting enough that I was never ever bored.

Hit and miss. Some bangers, some weirdos.

Surprisingly good album.

I shit you not, before this album, I only knew Janelle Monáe from her bit part in We Are Young by Fun. All 10 seconds of her before Nate Ruess banishes her to the background. Then here comes this album, my first from the 2010’s. How have I gone so long without hearing anything about this? It’s a masterful blend of genres that Janelle transitions through each and every one of them smoothly. The suite suite was mostly very good, even if I felt it was a few tracks two many. The third suite, however, is a five star effort in itself. It really leans into its futuristic, psychedelic themes with the likes of Wondaland and Make the Bus. It’s also a wonderful r&b album, with the fantastically moving Say You’ll Go. In parts presenting an epic dystopian future and in parts keeping the pop vibe that was present in the 2010’s, this album is making kick myself for deeming Janelle Monáe as the Na Na girl for that one Fun song. Favorite track: Say You’ll Go Other hits: Cold War, Tightrope, Make the Bus, Wondaland, Neon Valley Street, Come Alive (War of the Roses), Oh,Maker

Inventive and kind of cool. "Tightrope" was the only one I'd heard before, and it's fun. Would listen again!

She has a beautiful voice and super deep, symbolic beautiful lyrics. It was super unique and different. The scifi feelings imparted on classical, hip hop, R&B and afrocentric sounds was really interesting. The only criticism is there might have been a little too much on the album and it didn't all seem to flow all the time. But it really did feel like it could be the soundtrack to a scifi musical about a droid looking for love.

This is a pretty cool & creative fusion of different music styles. I'm not usually into symphonic music but it's woven into the music in a cool way that makes me feel like a really awesome movie is about to start. Sexy, romantic, and groov'n.

Made my eardrums happy

Shit slapped so hard

I absolutely love this album! Listened to the deluxe version, twice. It’s not at all what I’m into but there’s real artistry in her work. I have heard, on good authority, that she is quite the live performer. Impressive album.

I liked that. No time for a review

A fantastically creative album from one of the best talents around

It was a fun discovery

Wow. Now this is a concept album in the best way. I love the range and the bold way she goes after different sounds. So many different approaches yet so much Janelle Monáe in each approach! This needs more than one listen for sure.

An all to rare occasion where the list has delivered a new artist I hadn't heard of that I'll be checking out more. I admired the commitment to the concept of this album and it was clearly executed but it was a lot to take in on the first listen, I could have happily cut a track or two , hence the four instead of five.

I think I liked this on first listen more than Dirty Computer. She's got a pretty unique sound here. It's a bold mix of prog, psychedelia, and rhythm and pop. Also, props to having your debut LP be a concept album. On the whole, I'm not sure it quiiiiiiite comes together, but it was a great experience.

not a fan to the multiple references to being “like a schizo” but other than that this is very good. drags a bit tbh highlights: locked inside, sir greendown, oh maker, neon valley street (sep 9 2024)

Maravilla

This was epic, catchy, upbeat, energetic, theatrical.

Had never heard of her, but fortunately have now. Interresting music, varied, enjoyable and fun.

Finally a modern album that deserves to be in the list. I love it, my infant loved it. It’s like Bjork but hip hop/rnb/soul. 4/5

Janelle Monáe is so talented. I put Tightrope on one of my mix CDs and then kind of fell in love when I saw her dance in the music video. The Electric Lady and Dirty Computer are both excellent as well. My favorite moment is the interpolation of Claire De Lune on Say You'll Go. It's so gorgeous.

This style of music isn't really stuff I choose for myself. However, there's no doubting the talent on display. I found myself really enjoying it.

Incredible. Maybe the best eclectic-excellent album I’ve heard. 4.5/5

This was fun, and unique while still being musical as opposed to just noisy. I saved a couple of songs but probably wouldn't stick this on repeat which keeps it from five stars for me

I would never have guessed what era this album is from. It sounds like something out of science fiction from the 70s. Poppy, soulful, sometimes complex rnb pieces and dreamy ballads. The singer has an extremely versatile voice. The tempo changes constantly and so it never gets boring. My favorite tracks are Come Alive; Oh, Maker; Mushroom & Roses and Tightrope.

I know Janelle Monáe is a very popular artist but I haven’t heard much besides her hits. She deserves all the praise. This was amazing.

I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed thos album. Janelle is a very good singer, and every song feels different. Nothing is repetitive at all. It's hard to say what genre this album even is, as every song seems to explore a different one. There are funky bass riffs, electronic elements, even elements of old 50s styles it seemed. I'd give this a 4.5/5 if I could, but I'll settle a 4. I generally reserve a 5 star for albums that truly get to me, but this is still good.

Ik like the style, innovative and different

The 50’s throwback fad isnt my jam, but Janelle is one of the best at it. She has such a clean Doo Wop vibe and lovely enunciation. Tightrope was my favorite on this album but all of it is radio worthy. The alter ego is over theatrical but she probably would have been more commercially successful in the U.S. on a different label with more artistic control.

There's a lot going on on this record. Lots of different styles and influences. But somehow it sounds coherent. I really enjoyed it. Wouldn't have found it without this challenge. Favorite song: Dance or die.