Artist: Janelle Monàe
Album: The ArchAndroid
Release Date: 5.18.10
In its most simplified form, The ArchAndroid is, like any enjoyable body of musical work, a love story – colored with dramatic stylizations and topped off with Monàe’s gentle vocals. For those fans who have long awaited this album, prepare to have your musical palate sated, as this project fuses elements of pop, funk, jazz and soul to produce an adventurous and engaging story line illustrated with unique rhythms and melodies. Lyrically her album may seem high-level from the onset due to its mastery of the metaphors but once engaged, this is a very easy and enjoyable listen. Don’t be intimidated by the album’s length – it satisfies over and over again.
With spoken word artist Saul Williams in tow, Monàe kicks off the album with the wickedly funky Dance or Die. The song melds into the more upbeat (and aptly titled) Faster which, in turn, morphs into one of the album’s highlights Locked Inside, complete with a solid MJ reference (Rock With You) on the beat and some really progressive sounds. Love lands on Sir Greendown, the first of many melodic ballads that showcase Monàe’s fluid vocals including Oh, Maker. The calmness in her voice resonates on other similar melodic offerings like the vocally rich 57821 (feat. Deep Cotton) and the album’s closing track BaBopByeYa . More of the album’s highlights come in the midtempo grooves of tracks like Neon Valley Street (reminiscent of Lauryn Hill) and the emotional undertones of Say You’ll Go.
Although I highlighted some of the more standout numbers, the truth is clear: this is one of the most timeless and impeccable albums I’ve heard in a long time. The only detraction I could find is the length of the album but despite 18 tracks, it tends to switch flavors at just the right moments to keep the listener engaged. The ArchAndroid is an intelligent album, whimsical, dramatic at times but all-around enjoyable. Even the title fits perfectly, as the album takes a rather alien/outsider approach with its delivery.This project is a trip to the senses, like listening to a movie the way it engages different emotions. Monàe has definitely hit the mark, The ArchAndroid is an amazing project.
Sound-Savvy rates The ArchAndroid as CLASSIC with 5 out of 5 Platinum Headphones.
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