Janelle Monáe

[wizfan]

She's. So. Awesome.

Listened to all three Metropolis suites of her (the first is on her EP, the other two on her LP) last night. Blew my mind. She has an amazing voice and the production on her records is superb. The songs with Saul Williams (she appeared on his latest LP Volcanic Sunlight, too) and Big Boi are killer.

She's going to release an instrumental version of Archandroid, as well as TWO records! Wow.

[BlueCalx]

Just here to spread the love. Janelle is a stellar musician, artist and performer - god knows how rare it is to be able to do all three. I hope her music and her image lead at least a few people here to investigate more R&B, as the genre is going through a fascinating transitional phase right now. Here's "Tightrope", ft. Big Boi.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pwnefUaKCbc

[richardp]

I don't really listen to her music, but I'm just here to point out how odd it is that she's from the same city as me, and virtually NO ONE talks about her here. She had a show at a theater here last year, and I don't even think it sold out. Weird.

[Kid Charlemagne]

She's badass. I saw her open up for Of Montreal and she killed it. I'm surprised after two Grammy performances that she hasn't blown up. She can dance, she can sing, she's just a classic performer, but more in line with James Brown or Otis Redding than any other female counterpart.

[Leviathant]

I don't really listen to her music, but I'm just here to point out how odd it is that she's from the same city as me, and virtually NO ONE talks about her here. She had a show at a theater here last year, and I don't even think it sold out. Weird.

Local bands stay local bands for a reason. When someone goes national, they're usually on a different path from the get-go.

The Archandroid is one of the best albums, full stop. I was impressed by her music, but I got goosebumps when I watched video of her live performances. I'm looking forward to catching her live someday, although I'm a little bit sad I missed out on her smaller, more rock-n-roll style shows. Incredible talent, with really great taste.

[october_midnight]

Caught her show in Vancouver the last time she rolled through and she definitely delivered. As for the local thing, that goes for every genre. I know acts from here that are pretty renowned (i.e. Devin Townsend) that couldn't sell out the Commodore downtown but overseas and in other cities they're massive.

[Magtig]

LOVE Janelle Monae, and I can't wait for more. This might sound like a bit of a weird comparison, but to me she's sort of like the Ween of pop.

[Kid Charlemagne]

LOVE Janelle Monae, and I can't wait for more. This might sound like a bit of a weird comparison, but to me she's sort of like the Ween of pop.
In terms of being successful at genre hopping, absolutely.

[aggroculture]

I liked The Archandroid, but for me it did a little too much genre hopping and reproduction of recognizable sounds: hope to see more of Janelle Monae's own sound and identity in the future. She's obviously hugely talented. I wonder if her queer/androgynous persona and refusal to play the traditional sexy card hasn't got in the way of her being bigger in the mainstream.

[kel]

been listening to metropolis a lot lately. it's weird to think i saw her perform the whole thing in the airport marriott basement in los angeles. i knew she'd end up a powerhouse.

[kel]

"make me feel" is SO FUNKY. and she kinda, sorta came out this past week?

[Victor Newman]

"make me feel" is SO FUNKY. and she kinda, sorta came out this past week?

Have you noticed how much it rips off Kiss, by Prince? Very disappointing.

[Lerxto]

Have you noticed how much it rips off Kiss, by Prince? Very disappointing.
Umm.. because the song was actually co-written by Prince?

[Lerxto]

To add a little bit, I discovered Janelle Monae because of Prince.
I'm a massive fan of Prince, and Lenka Paris confirmed that Make Me Feel is based on a groove (a synth melody) that Prince had years ago. He gave it to her, and I like what she has done with it.
She's one of the listenable "popular" music artists, which is extremely rare nowadays and I appreciate that. Looking forward to the new album. It's been 5 years!

[Toadflax]

Just finished my first listen of Dirty Computer! Pretty damn great. Nowhere near as in your face as the singles suggest, which I think is a good thing (a whole album of that might be a bit much). She's coming to LA on June 28th; I'm planning on being there and dancing my face off!

[kel]

you'll have a fucking blast. she is a FORCE on stage.

really excited to hear this album (waiting until tomorrow) and so proud of her for coming out the way she did.

[kel]

holy shit, this album is a beast. so fucking sublime. easily my favorite record of the year so far. it rivals born this way, just feels so good, every track.

this is after three full listens. it's one of those albums that you're sad to know eventually ends. start it over. just amazing.

[sweeterthan]

I listen to dirty computer on repeat while my kids are at school. School's out in a week. NOOOOOO

[Come_Reptile]

Caught her show in Portland this week. Run, don’t walk to see her tour this summer. Unreal. She’s a supernova and Dirty Computer is a BLAST live!

[sweeterthan]

Caught her show in Portland this week. Run, don’t walk to see her tour this summer. Unreal. She’s a supernova and Dirty Computer is a BLAST live!

I can’t wait to see her in Atlanta in August.