Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe picked up a Grammy nomination in 2009 for a track from her debut release Metropolis but it failed to bring her to the attention of the greater public. Her new album The ArchAndroid is set to change all that.
The ArchAndroid contains some of the most interesting and downright catchy r'n'b that has been released since OutKast unleashed their sprawling opus Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (the album that featured hits like 'The Way You Move', 'Roses' and 'Hey Ya!') seven years ago. With the sub-title of Suites II and III you would be correct in assuming this is a concept album. The tale continues the story begun on Metropolis of a female android called Cindi Mayweather. Set in the 28th century, The ArchAndroid charts the rise of Cindi as she becomes a messiah-esque figurehead for the android community.
But don't let the back story put you off the music! Through a genuinely brilliant mix of soul, r'n'b, science fiction, funk and hip-hop, Monáe has created a 21st century equivalent to Ziggy Stardust, with a musical masterpiece to accompany it. Her performance throughout moves from Beyoncé-boogie ('Tightrope', 'Cold War') to psychedelic slinkiness ('Sir Greendown', '57821' ), from cabaret rock ('Come Alive') to graceful soul ('Say You'll Go'), all without the slightest discomfort to the listener. Aided by exquisite and refreshingly experimental production across the album, Monáe's vocals are a sheer joy to the ear. There are flashes of Stevie Wonder in some of the melodic structures, and touches of Prince or George Clinton to many of the concepts, but Monáe blends these influences effortlessly into an album that is all her own.
As captivating for its concepts as it is entertaining for its tunes, The ArchAndroid announces the arrival of a new American star.
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