The ArchAndroid

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 like this she has a stunning voice

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.

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.

This was a surprising album. It got better as it went along. It's not my style of music, more my daughter's but it was very good.

I love the breadth and ambition of this album. It's like a movie soundtrack with so many different styles and stories. And Tightrope is just a massive banger.

Pretty blown away with this. Rich production, varied and stylish. Saved nearly all the songs to my library.

Great album. First track was a great mood setter and had me intrigued which direction the vibe was heading. I now have this in my rotation.

This is a tightly produced pop album. The open with "suite 2 overture" is a great way to start an album. There's a few decent if unmemorable tunes, and then you get thrown into Cold War which is an absolute banger. Then Tightrope happens which isn't that amazing but does hit all the typical notes of a typical 2010's pop song. After that we get back to Neon Gumbo which is more pleasant, tightly produced but unmemorable pop. Oh Maker was another enjoyable song. Come Alive has great energy as well. Then Mushrooms and Roses is another great tune. I'm not usually one for these types of pop albums, but this album is way more enjoyable than I expected.

This was a big album when I was in college. It’s beautiful and complex from an artistic standpoint, but I feel like she really excels more in live shows. I like the Saul Williams track and War of the Roses. I saw her play Eastside Drive-In ca 2010. Of Montreal opened for her, if that gives an idea of how progressive her music was at the time. We were there to see if Kevin Barnes would ride a live horse naked on stage. Her live show was incredible and I was blown away by it. She also did a great Austin City Limits taping.

I loved this album. no songs in particular stood out, but the whole thing flowed well and it was honestly pretty mindblowing. i love a sampling of a hymn, and the bit of "All Creatures of our God and King" was a nice little easter egg

Janelle Monae is so impressive as an artist and performer, and this is a hell of a statement of a full debut album. The concept, the breadth of styles, vocal prowess, the instrumentation, it all works. Embodies cool androgyny more than anyone since Prince (which makes sense as I think they were close). The orchestral suites just add to the grandness of it all. I loved it, would go 4.5 if that were an option :)

Definitely not my usual style, but def enjoyed this.

Excellent listen, could be a 5 on relisten

Wild

Sounds like a broadway play soundtrack.

Appreciate her talent.

So fun. Have spent a lot more time with Dirty Computer but this is just as good. Fav tracks: Dance or Die, Faster, Locked Inside, Cold War Saved a song: Y RYM: N

Never heard of them, but this album was very fun and pretty unique.

Genuine surprise

The startling ambition on this debut full length is almost totally realised. I suspect CD listeners might find it a touch intimidating, but in more palatable chunks over 4 sides of vinyl, the album feels strong throughout. What might be seen as a drop off towards the end, to me sounds like a natural, calming conclusion to a whirlwind story that I will one day understand. Impressive variety from one of this generation’s genuinely important artists.

Really funky and interesting, very good album, not 100% my vibe tho.

Interesting

Not my kind of music - but man she is good. 4

Je connaissais certaines chansons sans savoir d’où elles provenaient, et j’ai adoré écouter cet album dans sa globalité!

Great pop

awesome

Pretty great start to finish. Lots of different things going on which it made it quite interesting. Refreshingly unique artist and album.

Gets an extra point for being a cohesive concept album. Cool :)

A new decent find! Really enjoyed the variety of genres within the songs and a lot of them were very catchy. Definitely listening again

Awesome album, very dynamic. Janelle’s got RANGE

Nice album. Appreciate the changes. Plays like a Disney soundtrack for a grown folks movie.

Very talented, bit long. Couldn't quite connect with this though, not sure why. Felt very polished and a bit distant? But it's good, so I'm being silly.

Great album

Labai patiko. Kiekviena daina unikali ir įdomi.

Really liked a few of the songs and overall the whole vibe of the album but didn’t love a couple songs

Admittedly, I'm a pop hater. Also admittedly, some pop albums are very good, which is annoying to me because they don't fit my narrative. People CAN make good corporate music, which makes the fact that they usually don't even more disappointing. It's so rare to hear a pop record that sounds fresh while maintaining accessibility and doesn't make me drowsy four songs in. Fortunately, they do exist, and this is one of them. This album is just so nicely produced and flows so well you barely notice it's over an hour long. I prefer the catchy and danceable first half (with these satisfying Stankonia drums), but the more laid-back second half is not half bad either. Songs like Dance or Die, Faster, Cold War, Wondaland are so fun to listen to. This album features a big range of vocal and instrumental styles throughout its runtime, which definitely helped me feel engaged the whole way through, even though I wasn’t a huge fan of some of the approaches. The futuristic vibe was also very nice. This was the first pop record in a while I was genuinely exciting to listen through. One big problem, though: on this cover, they look a lot like a certain Kanye supporter.

(86/100)

Fairies dragged you to their place, and now there’s nothing to do but vibe with whatever wild mix of music they throw at you. Inescapable joy.

An incredibly consistent yet varied album musically.

Big album! Big sound, big ideas, big creativity.

Clearly well produced, genre bending and interesting, just not something I feel like I'll revisit.

Wasn't expecting to see this album here but I'm very happy it made it. It covers so many different sounds and styles: soul, r&b, pop, rap, jazz, rock, all while maintaining this cohesively futuristic sound. Every song has a strong message and purpose and contributes to the album somehow. The production is very vibrant and the songs are very catchy, and the way they transition into each other so well is super cool and creative. I love Cold War because I'm a sucker for some drum and bass in the production. Dance or Die features her rapping and she's somehow better at it than half of the rappers. The progression of Faster is just so good and Tightrope sounds like one of those super eccentric Outkast songs in the best way possible. Then there is 2 random psych rock songs, kinda random but it works. And there is a duet with the of Montreal guy! The last part of the album is super all over the place but mostly good still. Really fascinating album and one that I can see myself coming back to for sure.

Well this was a sparkling offering, varied and driven by strong songwriting and musicianship. This is where the list works. Had no knowledge of the artist prior to this.

Very interesting music and varied style through the album. It feels a little bit like a demo tape. I did not know her, she's worth to be listened to.

V diverse

Metropolis. I knew the singer from her featuring in we are young but I never knew she had such a conceptual album. Brilliant.

funky

Metropolis turned into an album.

Probably the second craziest album I've gotten from the generator. Have little to no knowledge on this kind of music and was quite enthralled early on with this concept album. So much going on but by the end it was dragging on. Hard to rate this, but because it was pretty unique compared to the rest, I'll give it a four. Would be great to listen to baked also.

I think Dirty Computer has more standouts, but this album has a cohesive feel and creative production.

I really liked this album. The beats were cool and her voice was solid

Monae will be spoken about like Prince and Bowie and the queens of punk. Wholly unique.

Very operatic, almost. Good flow between songs in the album. Definitely the strongest of the albums so far, but maybe thats modernity bias. Ding a couple points on the lack of any strong standout single/singles, but overall pretty damn good.

8.5 A lotta stuff goin on here and I liked it muchly!! One of my fave albums I’ve not listened to before and will listen again for sure

This is pretty cool sophisticated pop music. Diverse range of styles in each track.

I like how upbeat this album is but it gets slightly boring after a little while. Fav songs: locked inside, sir greendown, oh, maker. Kind of too long imo. Individually though each song on its own is really fun and interesting.

Ultra GOD. Esperaba 0, pero me dejó loco

Dirty Computer is the best Janelle Monáe album so I’m really hoping it is in this list. This one is pretty damn good too. I love how her music is simultaneously futuristic and old school

Good to very good album. Love Janelle’s voice and some interesting music.

An R&B/Soul Sci-Fi concept album. The description sounds pretentious, but the album is quite good with a good solid musical base. My favourtite track was "Tightrope" (featuring Big Boi).

The Overture is a dumb into but the two songs after it are good. This feels both futuristic and like a throwback to 60s R&B at the same time. You can hear the Outkast influence throughout the album...beyond just the Big Boi guest spot on Tightrope. Tightrope is a great song. I'm really liking this album. You really realize what a pretentious ass Robert Christgau is when you listen to this album and read his review of it. At the start Oh, Maker had me thinking it was the beginning of a downward slide, I was wrong about that. But starting with Come Alive (War of the Roses) and Mushrooms & Roses has me thinking I was just one song too early. The overtures feel like a nod to this being an "art&B" album more than an integrated part of the album. The balk half of the album is not as good as the first half. It's hard to get 9 songs right, let alone 18. Also, concept albums are almost always, hat tip to Ziggy Stardust, an annoyingly contrived restriction on quality rather than an invitation to tell a compelling story. Say You'll Go is an improvement. An almost 9 minute closing effort...I do not understand why artist after artist insists on having an irrationally long final track on what in some cases is already a long album.

What a great choice for this list. The sequencing on this album is textbook and perfect. Grand and sweeping and jumping seemlessly from r&b, hip-hop, funk, neo-psych, and rock. Where some tracks would typically come off corny when this varied the heart that Janelle Monae brings to every track shines through. My only knock is the production on a few of the tracks is a little of its time, and it dips just a little in quality in part 3, Still a phenomenal listen. 8/10

Very eclectic. Swing, classical, jazz, blues, hip hop, Madonna. Not really my cup of tea but we'll done

I got whiplash from all the different genres of music on here. One minute there is soul, then R&B, even some rap-ish tendencies, then what sounds like some folk music and even a rock song that the Stray Cats would have made back in the 80's. They have a guitar, synthesizer, as well as a drum machine, and they are not afraid to use it. I knew Janelle Monae from their acting more than I knew them from the music they made. I am glad I got to listen to this one, as I probably would have never, ever heard it. I probably won't listen to this every day but it is really a fun listen and deserves the recognition from being in the book. My favorite songs were: Faster Locked Inside Cold War Tightrope Come Alive (War of the Roses) Oh, Maker Make the Bus Wondaland Say You'll Go

Broad and sweeping. Not bad, although not necessarily a go-to for me.

At first she annoyed me then I listened to it again later and realized how talented she is

This is honestly a 4.5, I have to state this to make it clear how much I adore the sonic sounds and creativity in this album. Janelle Monae is a musician who is by no means underrated but I believe doesn’t get credited enough for how much of an influence she has been on the music scene.

Siisti artwork ja konsepti ylipäätään. Tykkäsin kanssa kyllä noista sinfonisista välisoitoista. Siisti sekoitus modernia soulia, r&b ja poppia. Ja klassista musiikkia. Parhaat: Wondaland, Tightrope, Oh Maker

Fairly recent and different, cool! Not really my type of music perhaps, but I thought this was quite interesting and good at most times! Didn't feel like it slotted into one specific genre, and the formula didn't get old over the course of the album. There was much variety and you were constantly taken by surprise. Album high-point was 'Tightrope', and absolute lowpoint was 'Make the Bus'. I definitely enjoyed this more than lots of 3 star albums, but I'm not sure I feel like it's a 4 star one. Tricky. I'm going to be generous and give it a weak 4 though, much more interesting than loads of stuff I've heard on this list.

Od Janelle poznam sam par kasnejših komadov, ampak tisti so fakin amazing, tko da, let's go! Kul klasičen začetek. "Dance or Die" je najs in brez, da sploh opaziš, si kr naenkrat v naslednjem komadu, tempo ne popusti, imenu primerno: "Faster". (Zmer mi je ful impresivno k nekdo ful hitr repa/poje.) Medley se nadaljuje v "Locked Inside", je pa končno mal bolj umirjen tempo, ampak res minimalno. (Ok, že zj pri drugem poslušanju sm ful bl into it.) Aaand, end of medley. En zasanjan komad, po pa sam šopamo naprej. U, znan glas! Yep, Big Boi iz Outkast. "Tightrope" mi je na splošno znan, verjetn je bil single? Hud je dost. (Preverila: je bil, ja.) "Oh, Maker" je drugačen, in a good way. Ostali komadi se mi že združujejo v en velik blur. (Ker nesramn first take. Vzamem mal nazaj.) "Come Alive (War of the Roses) je zelo new wave, rock-y. Hudi vokali. Na splošno mi je všeč kako ima ta del albuma mal rock oddiha, ki se prelevi v še eno klasično overturo - tokrat s pridihom vokalnih grup iz 50h - sklepam, da bomo zj spet šopal? To glih ne, "Neon Valley Street" je bl chill, Lauren Hill-like komad. Sledi mu prvi komad, ki mi aktivno ni všeč. Preveč naenkrat mi je. Funky komad, potem pa kr naenkrat haleluja? In christian hymnal vibe. "Say You'll Go" je čist kul balada, k ma na konc not znan klasičen komad, k ga bom mogla poguglat, ker it's not coming to me (o moj bog, "Clair De Lune", posipam se s pepelom). In zadnji komad "BaBopByeYa" je skor 9 minutno epsko potovanje skoz žanre, in the best way. Na splošno eklektičen album, ki se ne drži enega žanra, je pa definitivno koheziven. Will probably listen again.

4.5 Fun, beautiful cinematic ride.

Es dut mer ufrichtig Leid für de Schlag in Solar Plexus mit minere MGMT Bewertig, aber wie gseit het da mal wider e hitzigi Diskussion müsse ahgregt werde zum de Album Klöpp am Lebe z phalte. Also gerngscheh und bedanket eu spöter. Jetzt zude Janelle, who I did not know at all. Und wiiiie ich sie jetzt kenne, lagomio! Min zurziitige musig mood vo sexy R&B mit chli hiphop und au chli Soul & funk direkt is Herze troffe! Und mit Come Alive no is Punkige ine? Bravo! Aaaber ach ischs jetzt es 5i wert? Ihres neuste Album het mi meh abgholt, muss mer also bi dem tüüfer gah? Aber die abwechslig vo genres i dem album und jedes Lied macht uf sini eigni Art spass. Scho Meisterwerkpotentoal. Klassisches 4.5. Aber mood samstig im Zug uf Basel: abgrundet uf 4 böx in solar plexus vo MGMT

Really enjoyed this. Fantastic vocals, great grooves. Definite Beyonce vibes. Enjoyed the use of Clair de Lune in Say You'll Go - not at all contrived (honestly).

I really enjoyed this, not an artist I have listened to before. Good mix of genres and felt the album flowed well together. Faster and Tightrope were my favourites. The only negative from me is that I felt towards the end the album started to tail off. However, going for 4 stars.

Complete unknown to me but exceeded expectations. First half much stronger than second

Very good

La música es formidable, llena de originalidad. No sabría decir a qué se parece. Es algo realmente original y exuberante. La única dificultad es que el disco es realmente largo. Se me hizo como un disco triple. Pero todo está muy bien interpretado y compuesto.

Interesting listening to this just after Thriller. You can see where she gets a lot of her inspiration. Good album, better than Thriller in my opinion.

Yeah I don't hate it, not normaly the kind of thing I gravitate towards, but it was an interesting kind of anti-pop pop music , Cold War is kinda catchy, 'Come Alive' is really good actually, Mushrooms & Rose's is pretty wild also, I think it might grow on me, 3.5 but I'll go for a ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Solid album, I assume it was from a musical, a diverse range of genres here.

Wow! I was not familiar with your game Janelle Monáe! I had such a good time listening to this. The first half of the album was flat out amazing (as you can tell by the songs I included in my favorites), but like many other albums, the second half started to drop off a bit and I really feel like the album could’ve benefitted from dropping 2-4 songs With that being said, this is easily the most versatile album I’ve heard so far and I see why it appeals to so many different audiences Not only is it full of great songs of different genres, but it includes a few interludes (which are usually hit-or-miss for me) that I feel add to the overall experience I also very much appreciate how the songs naturally blend together, which adds to the cohesiveness of the album Hats off to you Janelle Monáe, this album rocks Favorites: Locked Inside, Wondaland Honorable Mentions: Sir Greendown, Cold War

Positive suprised thought I was gonna hate it but no

That was surprising. So far, I haven't found much on this list post 2000 that interested me. This album is definitely interesting. There are so many genres here that it shouldn't work as an album, but it does. Everything fits together well. There were a few tracks that stood out, but most are above average. It's a very good album, but not quite a 5.

i thought i had already listened to this but ig not ? so so good though janelle monae is a literal visionary. love how she does so many genres just on this one album.

Поважаю Жанель і за цей альбом зокрема. Класна артистка, правда щось останні альбоми мені її скоріше повз мене. Свого часу на моменті виходу цього альбому я дуже багато слухав першу його половину і достатньо прохолодно ставився до другої. Не те щоб вона погана чи прохідна. Скоріше музична палітра в ній мені менше імпонує. Альбом великий і на великих альбомах мені здається дуже важливо мати не просто класні пісні по всьому треклісту, а й мати їх послідовності з 3-4, які мають якорити. Тут для мене, знову ж таки, в другій половині я не можу виділити для себе такого стріку. Класно, що все це досі свіжо слухається і набагато краще великої кількості навколо-поп музики на межі 00х-10х

Didn't expect much, was really impressed. I'd bet she puts on a great live show.

was a lot more of a cinematic experience than i thought it would be! enjoyed the album, thought it went on for a tiny bit too long? started strong, many iconic songs that will be enjoyed years from now.

Quite good! The first half is great fun with several hooks

I know Janelle only as guest vocals on many of songs I dig, and have always wanted to dive into her solo stuff. Was happy to see this pop up on the project. She sounds like nothing else of the time. Super interesting and unique, with velvety vocals. I love how creative and genre bending this album is. Makes me want to dive into the rest of her catalogue. Also high kudos that this was her debut album.

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!