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Janelle Monáe has announced the release of her eagerly awaited debut album. “The ArchAndroid” will arrive in stores and at all DSPs on May 18th.


“The ArchAndroid” is an “EMOTION PICTURE” brought to you by Janelle Monáe and the Mad Minds of the Wondaland Arts Society. The star-studded featured cast includes the legendary Big Boi of OutKast, renowned poet Saul Williams, psychedelic dance-punk troupe Of Montreal, punk prophets Deep Cotton, and the Wondaland Arch Orchestra.

The album was recorded at Wondaland Studios in Atlanta, but written all over the world, including but not limited to Moscow, Prague, Istanbul, Berlin, Amsterdam, New York, and the Palace of the Dogs. “The ArchAndroid” was inspired not only by the energy of these places, but by such revolutionary musicians and artistic visionaries as Salvador Dalí, Walt Disney, OutKast, Stevie Wonder, Octavia Butler, David Bowie, Andy Warhol, and John Williams. The album was Executive Produced by Nate Wonder, Chuck Lightning, Janelle Monáe, and Sean “Diddy” Combs, with Co-Executive Production from Big Boi of OutKast.

Monáe is slated for a variety of live dates and TV appearances surrounding the release of “The ArchAndroid.” A charismatic and unique live performer who has previously toured with No Doubt, Paramore, Erykah Badu, and Raphael Saadiq, she will also be doing a series of exclusive residencies in a number of cities across North America (see attached itinerary below) – full details will be announced shortly.

What’s more, Monáe is set to join this summer’s much anticipated 2010 Lilith Tour, joining a star-studded array of female artists including Sarah MacLachlan, Norah Jones, Mary J. Blige, Loretta Lynn, Tegan & Sara, Sara Bareilles, Colbie Caillat, and many others.


http://www.jmonae.com/new...new-music/
[Edited 4/14/10 6:20am]

Looks interesting.....bring it on.

I'm really looking forward to this. Saw her last week @ Joe's Pub in NY. She was amazing!

Now, when will this damn album be released exactly?

How much can a girl can wait?

@ the trailer.

^

The wait is almost over (sort of). The album come out May 18th.
[Edited 4/14/10 9:13am]

Saw tightrope on Logo last night (miracle since they hardly ever play anything decent on that NewNowNext crapfest). I really dug it.

I had no idea who she was. Just that I'd seen her name on a few threads here.

Identity said:

Would you say this is Bad Boy's first sci fi concept album? How can you hate Monae? I bought the Suite ep and knew she would deliver something ambitious. It makes me wonder if she is going to pull a Diana Ross and start doing movies. But if she does Sci Fi? She will definitely be a pioneer. That's cool about her being on Lilly White Fair.

I hope the project does well. I hope Sean is happy with 100-150,000 US total sales. But Sean Diddy Combs doesn't have the reputation to be a tastemaker when it comes to ambitious art. If he can do that, and transform into a Don Was/Rubin/ type figure, that will be amazing to see that Sean combs has finally evolved to high caliber artists. BUT.. the risk is pretty high when it concerns projects like this. I hope Diddy is ready for the promotion and support of this project for the long haul. This ain't some Day 23/Danity Kane shit. This concerns me with an artist like Monae. Props to Big Boi for having the follow through with this long and sticking with her creative direction and concepts. He could have easily shut her down years ago. I think that is who deserves the most credit that Big Boi didn't give up on her.

Love the video.....and I rarely pay attention 2 videos.

I like this girl-she has a cool vibe.

She needs to be careful with her image. It works but if she doesn't change it up I am going to quickly get annoyed with her.

And she best follow the Sade mode of less is more and not overexpose herself like Lady Gaga and B'Weave.

She needs to be careful with her image. It works but if she doesn't change it up I am going to quickly get annoyed with her.

And she best follow the Sade mode of less is more and not overexpose herself like Lady Gaga and B'Weave.

The official album cover.

Okay, how many artist are going to come out with robot covers? Badu, that Milkshake chick and now this one.

Janelle isn't biting anyone else's style. In 2007, she presented herself as a futuristic cyborg on the cover of her first solo work. Check it out!

sosgemini said:

Janelle's been doing this concept since '07

Did I say anyone was biting anyone?

Metropolis. Isn't every female singer trying to be that demon possed robotic women.

TotalAlisa said:

^^^yet again has forgotten or ignored the initial concept

This album and LCD Soundsystem's This Is Happening album are out on the same day. It's going to be crazy!

shes so pretty in some other promo shots..this look shes got going in the video is dorky looking and she looks like shit..i prefer these..

sosgemini said:

[Edited 4/19/10 19:20pm]
[Edited 4/19/10 19:23pm]

Janelle Monáe is beautifully bizarre. A tiny, Oreo-clad enigma in saddle shoes and tails. And then, of course, there’s the ever-present bouffant with a personality of its own. You may recognize the ArchAndroid by her uniform and chigon, but until you’ve witnessed her perfectly-poofed pompadour explode into an untamed corkscrew mane, you haven’t earned the right to call yourself a fan.

Since we met Janelle, six years ago she’s gone from intergalactic ATLien-ette with a Big Boi co-sign to a moon-walking P-funk phenom with a Bad Boy contract. She’s got this boundless, operatic wail that turns up the intensity on her homespun, juke-joint jam sessions.

She dusts the stage with Baby Powder and puts a spit-shine on dusty classic funk/soul. Her upcoming major-label debut, The ArchAndroid feels like her “Hey Yeah!” moment. “Janelle is one of the most artistic signings of my career,” Diddy says of his newest recruit. “This young lady is the future of music.” Trust — it’s more than dutifully, hyperbolic support. Diddy knows the value of the jewel he mined.

And then there’s her entourage. A cultish crew of tuxedo-clad disciples, The Wondaland Art Society/Bad Boy is reminiscent of a 60s Warhol-esque collective (minus the drugs, of course. These kids are high on nothing more than creativity and paint fumes.) It’s easy to confuse their loyalty and love with worship. Don’t. Just recognize it as an intense gratitude for providing something inspiring and game-changing. And pay attention before you miss something.


Click here for the full interview

Ooh, i like her. Cute, nice moves, imaginative tunes. All good.

She's playing in Madison on Friday night. I'm goin'!

Janelle Monáe Crosses Boundaries With 'ArchAndroid'
April 2010


Janelle Monáe has no desire to define her sound.

"It's genre-less, because it has an energy about it that genres can't really live up to, so I don't want to diminish it by trying to restrict it," the eccentric 24-year-old says about "The ArchAndroid," due May 18 on Wondaland Arts Society/Bad Boy Recordings.



In fact, Monáe's album is so genre-less that to promote it this summer she will open up for R&B singer Erykah Badu in May and June, perform at Lilith Fair and tour in Europe and North America with alternative band Of Montreal.

Although catering to diverse audiences, Atlantic Records senior VP of marketing Eric Wong says reaching these different markets won't be difficult. "Janelle's style melds pop with a mash-up of soul, funk and rock that will translate across all audiences whether touring with Erykah Badu, Of Montreal or performing at Lilith Fair," he says, adding that Monáe has previously toured with No Doubt, Paramore and Raphael Saadiq. "Janelle proves that innovative music has no boundaries."

"The ArchAndroid" veers all over the place-ranging from "Wondaland," which describes the whimsical, artificial reality of the same title that Monáe has created for herself and her creative team; "Overtures," influenced by Walt Disney with "symphonies, strings and horns"; "Dance or Die," a Fela Kuti-inspired track featuring Saul Williams; and "Cold War," which Monáe says "reveals what the ArchAndroid looks like."

The first single is the bouncy, bass-driven "Tightrope," which features the album's co-executive producer, OutKast's Big Boi. The song's video was shot in an unlikely place: a sanitarium.

"It was filmed at Palace of the Dogs, which is a place where a lot of great artists have studied, from Jimi Hendrix to Prince and Miles Davis," Monáe says. "Dancing is forbidden there because it leads to magical powers that are illegal. So, the 'Tightrope' was a very rebellious dance that I came up with."

To roll out the clip, which was directed by Wendy Morgan (Gnarls Barkley), Wong says the label "offered fans various trailers that served as teasers, with content that people have never seen before," including "scenes from the making of the record, footage of the tour and a tutorial of the 'Tightrope' dance."

The trailers premiered on JanelleMonae.com as well as blogs, various online sites and social networks.

Although she offers little detail, Monáe says her muse for this album-which is a combination of Suites II and III of her 2008 EP "Metropolis"-is Cindi Mayweather, her alter-ego. She also suggests the album is inspired by colors and dreams.

"If I say I want a song to feel bold red, or if I had a song come to me in my dreams, it usually means there was a lot of color in it," she says. "What I tried to do is make it as vivid as I was able to when I recorded it and capture as much as I could."

Monáe, who recently wrapped an 11-city trek and is slated to make appearances on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," "The Mo'Nique Show," "Last Call With Carson Daly" and "Lopez Tonight," says she has embraced her uniqueness and hopes others will continue to do so as well.

"This album has a lot of psychedelic moments and sometimes feels like James Bond or Frida Kahlo, or some of the other surrealists I've enjoyed," she says. "It also deals with self-realization and the things I've realized about myself within this project have made me unafraid to make mistakes. I coined the term 'emotional picture of the mind.' I'm just blessed for the supporters who have been waiting to finally hear the songs I've had in my dreams."


http://www.billboard.com/...tag=hpfeed

Really looking forward to this album, just hope that release date applies to the UK as well.

BlaqueKnight said:

She is a lil cutey pie.....

Saw her live on Friday night. She.Was.Great.

Can't wait for the new a'bum!

Genesia said:

How long was her set?

Graycap23 said:

Just under an hour.

But I should say that we were outdoors, her set didn't start 'til 11, and it was cold and windy, with sprinkles of rain throughout.

Very high energy show, though. I wasn't disappointed, at all.