JANELLE MONAE Vinilo y CD

Review: The work of American singer and songwriter Janelle Monae is being reissued now and for good reason - it has more than stood the test of time. After her second album The Electric Lady from 2013 reappeared back in June we are now traded to a limited edition clear vinyl version of Dirty Computer which was originally released back in 2018. It was the first one not to follow the Cindi Mayweather Metropolis narrative and moved away from her early psychedelic vibe towards a more pop, funk, hip hop and r&b style that also draws on trap, new wave and Latin. It was nominated for two Grammy Awards and got widespread critical acclaim for its celebration of queerness, female power, and self-worth.

Review: American singer and songwriter Janelle Monae dropped her second album The Electric Lady back in 2013 and it was a fine follow-up to the critically acclaimed debut she broke through with in 2010. Critics again fawned over its songwriting and progressive soul style with influences of hip-hop, gospel, jazz, rock, pop and reggae. Dystopic cyborg concepts again defined the album with genre experience and plainspoken words exploring plenty of personal and emotional territory with guest appearances from high-profile names such as Miguel, Erykah Badu, Solange and Prince.

Review: American singer and songwriter Janelle Monae has been invigorating the world of hip-hop and r&b for well over a decade now with a series of well-received and still oft-referenced albums. The Age of Pleasure is her fourth and has been a long time coming for fans. The eight-time GRAMMY Award nominee has an inimitable style and visionary sound that often comes steeped in important social commentary. Monae herself is unwavering in her activism for social justice and the LGBTQIA+ community and this album shows she's just as fiery in the studio across two sides of wax that feature guests like Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, CKay, Sister Nancy and even the one and only Grace Jones.