04/2015

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Janelle Monae has surprised everyone with a new song called "Yoga." It's the lead single from an upcoming compilation EP, Eephus, under a new joint venture between Monae's Wondaland label and Epic Records.

The singer has teamed with fellow Wondaland artist Jidenna for the up-tempo, funky tune. "Baby bend over, let your booty do that yoga," sings Janelle before boldly declaring, "You cannot police me so get off my areola."

The five-song compilation EP will arrive later this summer. "Yoga" is available now for download.

I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Janelle

But I am praying this is not the new sound she is trying to go for

This is the first song Janelle has been apart of or has done that I honestly don't like.

This is why I keep saying that everyone just needs to go retro Borrow from the past! This song is a prime example of what today's music sounds like.It actually reminds me of something that Beyonce would do,lol.

mjscarousal said:

I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Janelle

But I am praying this is not the new sound she is trying to go for

This is the first song Janelle has been apart of or has done that I honestly don't like.

Likewise. Hopefully, this is just her trying to do something more commercial to get a bit of interest in her Wondaland venture - a bit like one of those lawyers that takes on work for big corporations to fund the pro bono work they really believe in.

I'd like to believe that, though it could well be that she's bowing to commercial pressure to 'conventionalise' her sound, which would be a shame, as her first two albums have been a breath of fresh air on a stale R&B scene. I guess we'll have to wait to see what she puts out next. It's a gloomy reflection on our times an artist like her finds it hard to prosper, or even survive, on the music scene, and even gloomier if it turns out she's agree to churn out the same standard-issue mulch so many other less talented performers make a career peddling.

deebee said:

mjscarousal said:

I LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Janelle

But I am praying this is not the new sound she is trying to go for

This is the first song Janelle has been apart of or has done that I honestly don't like.

Likewise. Hopefully, this is just her trying to do something more commercial to get a bit of interest in her Wondaland venture - a bit like one of those lawyers that takes on work for big corporations to fund the pro bono work they really believe in.

I'd like to believe that, though it could well be that she's bowing to commercial pressure to 'conventionalise' her sound, which would be a shame, as her first two albums have been a breath of fresh air on a stale R&B scene. I guess we'll have to wait to see what she puts out next. It's a gloomy reflection on our times an artist like her finds it hard to prosper, or even survive, on the music scene, and even gloomier if it turns out she's agree to churn out the same standard-issue mulch so many other less talented performers make a career peddling.

It will be a shame indeed. Although this might not necessarily be her song, the lyrics are not something she represents or brands so I find it strange that she would sing on a song like this. I would have never expected this for her. I am a big Janelle fan so this is disappointing.

I've been meaning to start a post on Janelle because while I do love her and think she's a fantastic artist with loads of potential but there's something bugging me.

On the first album I was wowed by the variety of the music and her confident story telling. Swaying from classical interludes to soulful melodies to spazzy rock to hip hop beats, it was kaleidoscopic but masterfully pulled together into a cohesive whole. I even liked her collab with Of Montreal. I thought it was very different and a good sign of things to come.

While I really enjoyed Electric Lady, I was also kinda dissapointed. The collaborators seemed to be obvious and not exciting. The well of inspiration was the same dryed up combination of Prince, Stevie Wonder and Micheal Jackson.

I get that she wants to represent her culture and where she's coming from, but I feel like the whole Wondaland collective is uninspiring and a bit insular.

I would love some really wild out there stuff from her and more diverse collaborators. Could you imagine Janelle feat. Napalm Death or Aphex Twin? Neither can I but I'd love to hear it. Get Annie Clark from St Vincent, or Carrie Brownstein from Sleater Kinney to lay down some guitar. Do a duet with Bjork. Get Flying Lotus on a few songs. Lykke Li or John Grant.

As much as I love Erykah Badu I just wasn't feeling her lackluster cameo, it was too expected.

The interviews I've seen of her in the Wondaland collective seem to confirm that she might be a bit cloistered rather than free and open.

Get out of Atlanta Janelle, move to Iceland and do an album featuring organs and harps!

[Edited 4/1/15 6:04am]

I would like to believe other songs on the EP are not in the same vein as "Yoga", which sounds like an inferior Beyonce number.

I truly hope there are a few experimental, esoteric songs on Eephus.

What happened to the Janelle who gave us Archandroid?!

I am so not feeling this. Highly disappointed. I turned it off midway.

It's okay, but not something I would like more of. She is sooo much better than this. If she tries to emulate the current pop-tarts she will not succeed.

I'd say it's more a Rihanna style leftover than Bouncy though.

Rococomojo said:

I've been meaning to start a post on Janelle because while I do love her and think she's a fantastic artist with loads of potential but there's something bugging me.

On the first album I was wowed by the variety of the music and her confident story telling. Swaying from classical interludes to soulful melodies to spazzy rock to hip hop beats, it was kaleidoscopic but masterfully pulled together into a cohesive whole. I even liked her collab with Of Montreal. I thought it was very different and a good sign of things to come.

While I really enjoyed Electric Lady, I was also kinda dissapointed. The collaborators seemed to be obvious and not exciting. The well of inspiration was the same dryed up combination of Prince, Stevie Wonder and Micheal Jackson.

I get that she wants to represent her culture and where she's coming from, but I feel like the whole Wondaland collective is uninspiring and a bit insular.

I would love some really wild out there stuff from her and more diverse collaborators. Could you imagine Janelle feat. Napalm Death or Aphex Twin? Neither can I but I'd love to hear it. Get Annie Clark from St Vincent, or Carrie Brownstein from Sleater Kinney to lay down some guitar. Do a duet with Bjork. Get Flying Lotus on a few songs. Lykke Li or John Grant.

As much as I love Erykah Badu I just wasn't feeling her lackluster cameo, it was too expected.

The interviews I've seen of her in the Wondaland collective seem to confirm that she might be a bit cloistered rather than free and open.

Get out of Atlanta Janelle, move to Iceland and do an album featuring organs and harps!

[Edited 4/1/15 6:04am]

I get what you mean with some of this. I took it that, for her second album, the label had pushed for collaborations with some 'hot' artists (a bit like Prince on Rave). I felt she pulled that off rather well, though, integrating them into her sound to the extent where sometimes you don't even really notice they're there (e.g. the tracks with Solange or Esperanza). It felt to me, generally, like there was probably some pressure on her to aim for a more commercial sound with that album, but she was still managing to go along with that but still make good material - which is a neat trick if you can pull it off! I like the 'sound' she ended up with, as it feels like it has some depth to it, and there are some great songs there, particularly towards the end.

I agree about Erykah's cameo, though, particularly since that track goes from strength to strength once she's finished - with the dreamy trumpet and vocal scat section, then Janelle's own blistering rap, which is one of the album's high points.

Black people don't do yoga!

I wish she'd show off her voice more!!!

I am praying the Electric Lady stays Electric

MidniteMagnet said:

Black people don't do yoga!

I wish she'd show off her voice more!!!

Seriously? The Kama Sutra is Egyptian Yoga

I'm not gonna judge the song though, it's out of context. I would have to hear the rest of the album. If "Get On the Bus" was the first single from Archandroid, I wouldn't have been into it at all either. This can just be the one track I skip on the album

[Edited 4/2/15 20:24pm]

Yeah, sure. black people don't like yoga.

deebee said:

Rococomojo said:

I've been meaning to start a post on Janelle because while I do love her and think she's a fantastic artist with loads of potential but there's something bugging me.

On the first album I was wowed by the variety of the music and her confident story telling. Swaying from classical interludes to soulful melodies to spazzy rock to hip hop beats, it was kaleidoscopic but masterfully pulled together into a cohesive whole. I even liked her collab with Of Montreal. I thought it was very different and a good sign of things to come.

While I really enjoyed Electric Lady, I was also kinda dissapointed. The collaborators seemed to be obvious and not exciting. The well of inspiration was the same dryed up combination of Prince, Stevie Wonder and Micheal Jackson.

I get that she wants to represent her culture and where she's coming from, but I feel like the whole Wondaland collective is uninspiring and a bit insular.

I would love some really wild out there stuff from her and more diverse collaborators. Could you imagine Janelle feat. Napalm Death or Aphex Twin? Neither can I but I'd love to hear it. Get Annie Clark from St Vincent, or Carrie Brownstein from Sleater Kinney to lay down some guitar. Do a duet with Bjork. Get Flying Lotus on a few songs. Lykke Li or John Grant.

As much as I love Erykah Badu I just wasn't feeling her lackluster cameo, it was too expected.

The interviews I've seen of her in the Wondaland collective seem to confirm that she might be a bit cloistered rather than free and open.

Get out of Atlanta Janelle, move to Iceland and do an album featuring organs and harps!

[Edited 4/1/15 6:04am]

I get what you mean with some of this. I took it that, for her second album, the label had pushed for collaborations with some 'hot' artists (a bit like Prince on Rave). I felt she pulled that off rather well, though, integrating them into her sound to the extent where sometimes you don't even really notice they're there (e.g. the tracks with Solange or Esperanza). It felt to me, generally, like there was probably some pressure on her to aim for a more commercial sound with that album, but she was still managing to go along with that but still make good material - which is a neat trick if you can pull it off! I like the 'sound' she ended up with, as it feels like it has some depth to it, and there are some great songs there, particularly towards the end.

I agree about Erykah's cameo, though, particularly since that track goes from strength to strength once she's finished - with the dreamy trumpet and vocal scat section, then Janelle's own blistering rap, which is one of the album's high points.

Agreed.... 2nd Album not a great bit of work, apart from Prince track which is still her sound... The new track will get lost/ filed under Beyonce ...poor from her she needs to do a Amy or Ms Hill and get a hard true sound .

Dreamer2 said:

deebee said:

I get what you mean with some of this. I took it that, for her second album, the label had pushed for collaborations with some 'hot' artists (a bit like Prince on Rave). I felt she pulled that off rather well, though, integrating them into her sound to the extent where sometimes you don't even really notice they're there (e.g. the tracks with Solange or Esperanza). It felt to me, generally, like there was probably some pressure on her to aim for a more commercial sound with that album, but she was still managing to go along with that but still make good material - which is a neat trick if you can pull it off! I like the 'sound' she ended up with, as it feels like it has some depth to it, and there are some great songs there, particularly towards the end.

I agree about Erykah's cameo, though, particularly since that track goes from strength to strength once she's finished - with the dreamy trumpet and vocal scat section, then Janelle's own blistering rap, which is one of the album's high points.

Agreed.... 2nd Album not a great bit of work, apart from Prince track which is still her sound... The new track will get lost/ filed under Beyonce ...poor from her she needs to do a Amy or Ms Hill and get a hard true sound .

I called this a while back in a thread about Annie Lennox criticizing Beyonce. Some people were claiming Janelle is a true artist who would never use sex to self herself. I said wait and see. All these artists will eventually sex up their images or try to fit into the current sound. Her whole androgynous look wasn't clicking with people. Here she's dressing more like Rihanna.

That's the unfortunate reality of this business, either you fit in or get pushed aside. Kimbra and St Vincent are probably next.

[Edited 4/3/15 12:29pm]

C'mon people, it's a compilation EP.

ScarletScandal said:

MidniteMagnet said:

Black people don't do yoga!

I wish she'd show off her voice more!!!

Seriously? The Kama Sutra is Egyptian Yoga

I'm not gonna judge the song though, it's out of context. I would have to hear the rest of the album. If "Get On the Bus" was the first single from Archandroid, I wouldn't have been into it at all either. This can just be the one track I skip on the album

[Edited 4/2/15 20:24pm]

Erm... It's an Indian work of instructive sexual literature, not what you said. Maybe you're thinking of Kemetic yoga, that's what I found when I searched "Egyptian yoga" on Google.

Anyway, don't like the song, feels like a very generic dance track, I don't feel she's imparted her personal stamp on it at all. Hopefully there will be something more interesting from her along soon.

Dreamer2 said:

deebee said:

I get what you mean with some of this. I took it that, for her second album, the label had pushed for collaborations with some 'hot' artists (a bit like Prince on Rave). I felt she pulled that off rather well, though, integrating them into her sound to the extent where sometimes you don't even really notice they're there (e.g. the tracks with Solange or Esperanza). It felt to me, generally, like there was probably some pressure on her to aim for a more commercial sound with that album, but she was still managing to go along with that but still make good material - which is a neat trick if you can pull it off! I like the 'sound' she ended up with, as it feels like it has some depth to it, and there are some great songs there, particularly towards the end.

I agree about Erykah's cameo, though, particularly since that track goes from strength to strength once she's finished - with the dreamy trumpet and vocal scat section, then Janelle's own blistering rap, which is one of the album's high points.

Agreed.... 2nd Album not a great bit of work, apart from Prince track which is still her sound... The new track will get lost/ filed under Beyonce ...poor from her she needs to do a Amy or Ms Hill and get a hard true sound .

I still really like the second album and it's sound. I just meant that it felt like there was label pressure to commercialise but she'd cannily found a way to go along with that without caving in artistically. Here, it feels like she's surrendered too much. (Might just be a duff track, though.)

lrn36 said:

Dreamer2 said:

Agreed.... 2nd Album not a great bit of work, apart from Prince track which is still her sound... The new track will get lost/ filed under Beyonce ...poor from her she needs to do a Amy or Ms Hill and get a hard true sound .

I called this a while back in a thread about Annie Lennox criticizing Beyonce. Some people were claiming Janelle is a true artist who would never use sex to self herself. I said wait and see. All these artists will eventually sex up their images or try to fit into the current sound. Her whole androgynous look wasn't clicking with people. Here she's dressing more like Rihanna.

That's the unfortunate reality of this business, either you fit in or get pushed aside. Kimbra and St Vincent are probably next.

[Edited 4/3/15 12:29pm]

For me, the issue is not with sexuality in general or female sexuality in particular, as that always feels like it's part of quite a conservative agenda ("Jesus cries when you touch your bits!", for the former, and "Cover yourself up, strumpet!", for the latter ). Janelle in a short skirt or tight pants doesn't bother me at all (hell, it's a bonus! ). It always seems like her carnality is part of her performance, and maybe even that there's something at stake for her in that.

I think with Beyoncé and especially Rihanna it's the fact that it's all these cynical and played-out stripperisms that's so depressing. It's all so submissive, and the aesthetic is literally that of the strip club. And add to that the fact that it's always being dressed up as something more than it is - i.e. some sort of 'feminist' statement - when it's really just a flash of T&A for the boys, just like you might've got with the Ikettes; but which, back then, no-one would've tried to pass off as some 'principled' statement on liberated female self-expression.

CynicKill said:

C'mon people, it's a compilation EP.

I understand that but its just shocking that she would agree to sing along to song that goes against everything she tries to "represent" I would have never thought she would sing a song like this even if it is not hers. Janelle chooses to collab on songs and collaborators that matches her artistically so this is odd.

Dreamer2 said:

deebee said:

I get what you mean with some of this. I took it that, for her second album, the label had pushed for collaborations with some 'hot' artists (a bit like Prince on Rave). I felt she pulled that off rather well, though, integrating them into her sound to the extent where sometimes you don't even really notice they're there (e.g. the tracks with Solange or Esperanza). It felt to me, generally, like there was probably some pressure on her to aim for a more commercial sound with that album, but she was still managing to go along with that but still make good material - which is a neat trick if you can pull it off! I like the 'sound' she ended up with, as it feels like it has some depth to it, and there are some great songs there, particularly towards the end.

I agree about Erykah's cameo, though, particularly since that track goes from strength to strength once she's finished - with the dreamy trumpet and vocal scat section, then Janelle's own blistering rap, which is one of the album's high points.

Agreed.... 2nd Album not a great bit of work, apart from Prince track which is still her sound... The new track will get lost/ filed under Beyonce ...poor from her she needs to do a Amy or Ms Hill and get a hard true sound .

Although Eletric Lady was not as good as the ArchAndroid, it is still a good album overall. I don't think she has to have a "true sound." I like that she is experimental and keeps you guessing. That is what a real artist should do. You shouldn't expect the same things.

lrn36 said:

Dreamer2 said:

Agreed.... 2nd Album not a great bit of work, apart from Prince track which is still her sound... The new track will get lost/ filed under Beyonce ...poor from her she needs to do a Amy or Ms Hill and get a hard true sound .

I called this a while back in a thread about Annie Lennox criticizing Beyonce. Some people were claiming Janelle is a true artist who would never use sex to self herself. I said wait and see. All these artists will eventually sex up their images or try to fit into the current sound. Her whole androgynous look wasn't clicking with people. Here she's dressing more like Rihanna.

That's the unfortunate reality of this business, either you fit in or get pushed aside. Kimbra and St Vincent are probably next.

[Edited 4/3/15 12:29pm]

She looks cute here. I don't see how she is dressing like Rihanna here. She looks nice and classy. Sometimes she wears a dress and sometimes she doesn't. Sometimes she wears her hair down and sometimes she does not. Sometimes she wears heels and sometimes she doesn't. Why does she have to wear a suit all the time?

I know she is friends with Solange but sometimes I get the feeling she hangs around B, Jay and em to much like she wants their approval. Just do you and stay in your own circle cause those people could care less about you! Its possible to thrive in this business while staying true to yourself. Erykah Badu and Kelis have all done it. Granted, they have had their share of bigger successes than Janelle in the pop arena.

mjscarousal said:

lrn36 said:

I called this a while back in a thread about Annie Lennox criticizing Beyonce. Some people were claiming Janelle is a true artist who would never use sex to self herself. I said wait and see. All these artists will eventually sex up their images or try to fit into the current sound. Her whole androgynous look wasn't clicking with people. Here she's dressing more like Rihanna.

That's the unfortunate reality of this business, either you fit in or get pushed aside. Kimbra and St Vincent are probably next.

[Edited 4/3/15 12:29pm]

She looks cute here. I don't see how she is dressing like Rihanna here. She looks nice and classy. Sometimes she wears a dress and sometimes she doesn't. Sometimes she wears her hair down and sometimes she does not. Sometimes she wears heels and sometimes she doesn't. Why does she have to wear a suit all the time?

I know she is friends with Solange but sometimes I get the feeling she hangs around B, Jay and em to much like she wants their approval. Just do you and stay in your own circle cause those people could care less about you! Its possible to thrive in this business while staying true to yourself. Erykah Badu and Kelis have all done it. Granted, they have had their share of bigger successes than Janelle in the pop arena.

Let me be clear, I don't have a problem with it. She can be as sexy as she wants. Every artist should feel free to present themselves to the world in the manner they see fit. I was pointing out the artists especially women at some point will feel the pressure either by the industry or themselves to push their sexuality a little more.

I think for a lot of people felt Janelle was making a statement with her look and music. That you don't have to play into conventions imposed on women artist's to succeed. And now she is moving a little closer to that conventional look and sound. Maybe you have to compromise a bit to succeed in this business and she is coming to that realization. Or maybe she thought her original image and outlook was becoming to constricting for her and she needs to shake things up a bit.

[Edited 4/3/15 15:39pm]

lrn36 said:

mjscarousal said:

She looks cute here. I don't see how she is dressing like Rihanna here. She looks nice and classy. Sometimes she wears a dress and sometimes she doesn't. Sometimes she wears her hair down and sometimes she does not. Sometimes she wears heels and sometimes she doesn't. Why does she have to wear a suit all the time?

I know she is friends with Solange but sometimes I get the feeling she hangs around B, Jay and em to much like she wants their approval. Just do you and stay in your own circle cause those people could care less about you! Its possible to thrive in this business while staying true to yourself. Erykah Badu and Kelis have all done it. Granted, they have had their share of bigger successes than Janelle in the pop arena.

Let me be clear, I don't have a problem with it. She can be as sexy as she wants. Every artist should feel free to present themselves to the world in the manner they see fit. I was pointing out the artists especially women at some point will feel the pressure either by the industry or themselves to push their sexuality a little more.

I think for a lot of people felt Janelle was making a statement with her look and music. That you don't have to play into conventions imposed on women artist's to succeed. And now she is moving a little closer to that conventional look and sound. Maybe you have to compromise a bit to succeed in this business and she is coming to that realization. Or maybe she thought her original image and outlook was becoming to constricting for her and she needs to shake things up a bit.

[Edited 4/3/15 15:39pm]

I just hope she doesn't shake it all the way down to the ground. It would be such a shame to see a great and inspirational artist go in that direction when she doesn't have too.

pretty terrible song, sounds like all the other garbage that's popular on the radio. Hope this is just a phase...

lrn36 said:

Dreamer2 said:

Agreed.... 2nd Album not a great bit of work, apart from Prince track which is still her sound... The new track will get lost/ filed under Beyonce ...poor from her she needs to do a Amy or Ms Hill and get a hard true sound .

I called this a while back in a thread about Annie Lennox criticizing Beyonce. Some people were claiming Janelle is a true artist who would never use sex to self herself. I said wait and see. All these artists will eventually sex up their images or try to fit into the current sound. Her whole androgynous look wasn't clicking with people. Here she's dressing more like Rihanna.

That's the unfortunate reality of this business, either you fit in or get pushed aside. Kimbra and St Vincent are probably next.

[Edited 4/3/15 12:29pm]

Best line is at the beginning that sounds like shes saying

Me and Prince and me we've been down in Atlanta

I kinda like it! Yes it is a Rhianna clone song for sure and too much like all the crap popular today

Cant beat em join em

[Edited 4/9/15 18:26pm]

2020 said:

Best line is at the beginning that sounds like shes saying

Me and Prince and me we've been down in Atlanta

I kinda like it! Yes it is a Rhianna clone song for sure and too much like all the crap popular today

Cant beat em join em

[Edited 4/9/15 18:26pm]

But she was beating them.

Archandroid is one of the best albums of the decade. The sound of a black woman not being pigeonholed, being weird and having fun.

Lets face it, she has a great voice but she's not the diva type.

The first album was for everyone, indie kids and r&b fans. Electric lady is more typically r&b sounding.

I think she should ditch the whole Wondaland thing, it sounds like a creative noose cutting off air. Reminds me of Gaga and the House of Gaga. It might be fruitful for an album or two but you gotta cut loose.