“This is what Beyonce should be doing” – Ian Critchley
In a genre filled with over auto-tuned drivel, Janelle Monáe might just be what old-school R&B fans have been looking for. Her, retro-styled, sultry tones are bound to take the world by storm, with ArchAndroid (Suites II & III) already a big hit on the other side of the pond.
I’m not the biggest fan of R&B by any means (something you might have already gathered), but there’s something about this album that really works for me in a way that other albums in the genre don’t. I can’t really put my finger on it, but I think it comes down to the music having some kind of substance. Lyrically, this is not your typical modern R&B fare. There’s little (if any) mention of ‘the club’ or some posh champagne or material goods. With this album, it seems Miss Monae is trying to bring the genre back to basics, whilst sending it an a completely new direction and forcing it to it’s knees.
You might think that this has come at a price, but the substance has been coupled with an unrivaled amount of style. The production is top-notch, if the lyrics don’t hit you the beats definitely will. This being a concept album, it really has to be a cohesive experience for listener. I’m happy to tell you that it’s been pulled off without any of the drawbacks and cheesiness associated with concept pieces.
I forgot to mention, The ArchAndroid is a concept album. It follows the story of an android and her quest to free The Metropolis. Not the most grounded of concepts, but that’s what makes it interesting. This futuristic approach allows for an ever-changing sound, which keeps the album interesting. Is calling an album ‘well paced’ weird? Well that’s what I am doing. There’s rarely a dull moment listening to this and, like a good book, I was looking forward to each new chapter.
If you’re a fan of music, you need to give this a shot. That’s right, it has a broad enough scope to appeal to everyone. When I say you’ll find it hard to not like this album, I’m serious. Janelle Monáe has created a masterpiece that deserves all the praise it’s getting. For me, The ArchAndroid (Suites II & III) is up there with the best albums of 2010 and I think you’ll agree. You might be unfamiliar with her now, but watch this space.
‘Tightrope (Feat. BigBoi of OutKast)’ The first single from this album is now available in the UK as the ‘Single Of The Week’ on iTunes. Download it here.
