funkypixie said:

can you add some 808s and trap drums?

The highhats that sound like a rotary phone dial, or dogtags sliding down a bead chain.

Suprised how much I liekd this album! Good stuff....not overblown like some of the last records. Very Prince inspired. Im gonna listen again.

POOK said:

WELL POOK BUY THIS AND WANT TO TALK ON FORUM AFTER DIG IN IT EXCITING! LIKE IN LATE NINETY WHEN WE ALL TALK DANGELO AND BECK

HAHAHA Oh my god that got annoying quick

funkypixie said:

While I like the album this is definitely a step down musically from The Archandroid and The Electric Lady. Some of the drum programming is really bad in my opinion. It’s almost like the record label heard an early version and said, ‘this needs to sound more contemporary, can you add some 808s and trap drums??’. To be clear, I don’t think that’s what actually happened and I’m sure it was a choice made by Monáe and producers but they just feel a bit tacked on. Some of the mixing/mastering seems off as well. It might just be the version on Tidal but the volume suddenly increased part way through Screwed. I worry a bit that we are moving into a phase where what an artists stands for and represents is more important than their actual music. A lot of the reviews I’ve read major on her activism and don’t actually say that much about the music. It was the same with Beyoncé at Coachella, lots about the imagery of the performance etc not much on the music.

I agree with everything, but especially the bold. This is a concern in film too.

paisleypark4 said:

POOK said:

WELL POOK BUY THIS AND WANT TO TALK ON FORUM AFTER DIG IN IT EXCITING! LIKE IN LATE NINETY WHEN WE ALL TALK DANGELO AND BECK

HAHAHA Oh my god that got annoying quick

thisisreece said:

funkypixie said:

While I like the album this is definitely a step down musically from The Archandroid and The Electric Lady. Some of the drum programming is really bad in my opinion. It’s almost like the record label heard an early version and said, ‘this needs to sound more contemporary, can you add some 808s and trap drums??’. To be clear, I don’t think that’s what actually happened and I’m sure it was a choice made by Monáe and producers but they just feel a bit tacked on. Some of the mixing/mastering seems off as well. It might just be the version on Tidal but the volume suddenly increased part way through Screwed. I worry a bit that we are moving into a phase where what an artists stands for and represents is more important than their actual music. A lot of the reviews I’ve read major on her activism and don’t actually say that much about the music. It was the same with Beyoncé at Coachella, lots about the imagery of the performance etc not much on the music.

I agree with everything, but especially the bold. This is a concern in film too.

Yep. Movies too. And comic books.

We're at a point where critics are giving high praise for progressiveness even when the art itself is not good. Furthermore, those that offer actual negative criticism are attacked and accused of being against the progressiveness.

If you didn't like the new Ghostbusters, you must be against women. If you don't like the new characters in Marvel Comics, you must be against diversity. I'm sure if you don't like Janelle's new album, you must be against bisexuals (or pansexuals, or whatever she identifies as).

It's weird and silly. Progressiveness in art is a good thing but should not be enough to get a good review and those that give bad reviews should not be labelled as anti-progressive (unless of course, the ONLY reason they don't like the art is because of the progressive elements).

djThunderfunk said:

thisisreece said:

I agree with everything, but especially the bold. This is a concern in film too.

Yep. Movies too. And comic books.

We're at a point where critics are giving high praise for progressiveness even when the art itself is not good. Furthermore, those that offer actual negative criticism are attacked and accused of being against the progressiveness.

If you didn't like the new Ghostbusters, you must be against women. If you don't like the new characters in Marvel Comics, you must be against diversity. I'm sure if you don't like Janelle's new album, you must be against bisexuals (or pansexuals, or whatever she identifies as).

It's weird and silly. Progressiveness in art is a good thing but should not be enough to get a good review and those that give bad reviews should not be labelled as anti-progressive (unless of course, the ONLY reason they don't like the art is because of the progressive elements).

I also love that she seems so in tune with herself now and imo the music on this reflects it, she goes straight to the point with this record.

Cinny said:

funkypixie said:

can you add some 808s and trap drums?

The highhats that sound like a rotary phone dial, or dogtags sliding down a bead chain.

.

Its a modern sound that reminds me of being a kid in the 80s

.

StrangeButTrue said:

Cinny said:

The highhats that sound like a rotary phone dial, or dogtags sliding down a bead chain.

.

Its a modern sound that reminds me of being a kid in the 80s

Wish I could say the same.

"the band sounds like typewriters" ( c) Joni

Janelle was asked about the Cindi's saga and she said she has big plans for her and she will announce something soon. OMG...if I wasn't already excited enough about dirty computer.

Identity said:

cindymay said:

Good performance on the Voice yesterday. Luckily she was on almost immediately because I couldn't make it watching that show.

is the performance online anywhere? would love to see it, but Voice USA isn't broadcast in the UK.

Dirty Computur was #6 in the midweek charts here.. hope its Top10 when charts are announced tomorrow.

MattUK said:

cindymay said:

Good performance on the Voice yesterday. Luckily she was on almost immediately because I couldn't make it watching that show.

is the performance online anywhere? would love to see it, but Voice USA isn't broadcast in the UK.

Dirty Computur was #6 in the midweek charts here.. hope its Top10 when charts are announced tomorrow.

It's online on NBC but I don't think it's available outside of the US. There are some parts on instagram but not the full performance I think! Fingers crossed for the top 10, there are a lot of albums out this week.

POOK said:

Identity said:

Excerpts of her remarks from the new Rolling Stone interview:


Rumors spread that Prince co-wrote the single "Make Me Feel," which features a "Kiss"-like guitar riff. "Prince did not write that song," says Monáe, who sorely missed his advice during the production process. "It was very difficult writing this album without him."

Prince was the first person to get a physical copy of The ArchAndroid – she presented the CD to him with a flower and the titles written out by hand. "As we were writing songs, I was like, ‘What would Prince think?' And I could not call him. It's a difficult thing to lose your mentor in the middle of a journey they had been a part of."

WELL THAT CLEAR IT UP POOK DISAPPOINTED IN ALBUM NO NEED TO KEEP IF PRINCE NOT INVOLVED

I don't have the credits here but I think Prince was credited on the synth in make me feel, he was somehow involved in that song.

Hopefully this album lasts longer than 3 listens for a change...
I really want to like her but her albums stale quickly...

Neversin.

https://www.vanityfair.co...ink-museum

.

Article:
Janelle Monáe’s Vagina Pants Are Headed to a Museum

@mjcarousel where you at? Remember when we were talking about the possibility of her being into poly relationships ?. I wasn't expecting this to be at the center of the short film

StrangeButTrue said:

https://www.vanityfair.co...ink-museum

.

Article:
Janelle Monáe’s Vagina Pants Are Headed to a Museum

With the musician saying she “may be working on” a pair of the pants for sale, designer Duran Lantink is ready to sell them, or at least put them on display.

They should be headed to Walmarts!

cindymay said:

MattUK said:

is the performance online anywhere? would love to see it, but Voice USA isn't broadcast in the UK.

Dirty Computur was #6 in the midweek charts here.. hope its Top10 when charts are announced tomorrow.

It's online on NBC but I don't think it's available outside of the US. There are some parts on instagram but not the full performance I think! Fingers crossed for the top 10, there are a lot of albums out this week.

She did! N°8.

Read more: http://thatgrapejuice.net...z5EfkegwVG

Good, balanced review of the album by Alexis Petridis, which I pretty much agree with:

https://www.theguardian.c...r-off-star

It's an enjoyable listen, and it all coheres well as an album, but I'm afraid, for me, it's probably the weakest set of the three. PYNK, I Like That and Don't Judge Me are excellent; the other singles are pretty good; and there's really nothing in there that falls flat. It's just that in the determination to score her a chart hit, something's been lost and it can tend to sound a bit safe and uninspired. The production is punchy enough, but somewhat 'clean' and antiseptic. Nice Prince pastiches in there, but with much less funk and spunk. And though there's a clear attempt to be more personal and convey 'attitude', in practice, the personal stuff's a bit banal ("sex in a swimming pool ... I just wanna break the rules", etc), and the political stuff, though sometimes interesting and playful ("Uncle Sam kissed a man / Jim Crow Jesus rose again"), is all too often just bland Clinton Democrat fare, rather than anything more challenging. Weirdly, although the 'message' is ostensibly more overt on the album, so as to let the cola-chugging masses know the 'real' Jane beyond the character, it feels like a bit of a step back personally and politically from her writing in her Cindi Mayweather guise.

That's said, it's a likable summer album, and hopefully she'll get ahead in the game off the back of it. I'm still enjoying it, anyway.

[Edited 5/6/18 8:18am]

deebee said:

Good, balanced review of the album by Alexis Petridis, which I pretty much agree with:

https://www.theguardian.c...r-off-star

It's an enjoyable listen, and it all coheres well as an album, but I'm afraid, for me, it's probably the weakest set of the three. PYNK, I Like That and Don't Judge Me are excellent; the other singles are pretty good; and there's really nothing in there that falls flat. It's just that in the determination to score her a chart hit, something's been lost and it can tend to sound a bit safe and uninspired. The production is punchy enough, but somewhat 'clean' and antiseptic. Nice Prince pastiches in there, but with much less funk and spunk. And though there's a clear attempt to be more personal and convey 'attitude', in practice, the personal stuff's a bit banal ("sex in a swimming pool ... I just wanna break the rules", etc), and the political stuff, though sometimes interesting and playful ("Uncle Sam kissed a man / Jim Crow Jesus rose again"), is all too often just bland Clinton Democrat fare, rather than anything more challenging. Weirdly, although the 'message' is ostensibly more overt on the album, so as to let the cola-chugging masses know the 'real' Jane beyond the character, it feels like a bit of a step back personally and politically from her writing in her Cindi Mayweather guise.

That's said, it's a likable summer album, and hopefully she'll get to stay in the game off the back of it. It'll certainly be getting further spins from me yet.

[Edited 5/6/18 8:14am]

So far, I really enjoy the album but at the same time don't disagree with most of this assessment. Similar to what Petris said, my main issue with the album is that a few parts of it are reminsicent of Beyonce's last two albums whereas Janelle's previous albums were fully inspired by her own artistic expression. Still, much better than 95% of what is out there.

deebee said:

Good, balanced review of the album by Alexis Petridis, which I pretty much agree with:

https://www.theguardian.c...r-off-star

It's an enjoyable listen, and it all coheres well as an album, but I'm afraid, for me, it's probably the weakest set of the three. PYNK, I Like That and Don't Judge Me are excellent; the other singles are pretty good; and there's really nothing in there that falls flat. It's just that in the determination to score her a chart hit, something's been lost and it can tend to sound a bit safe and uninspired. The production is punchy enough, but somewhat 'clean' and antiseptic. Nice Prince pastiches in there, but with much less funk and spunk. And though there's a clear attempt to be more personal and convey 'attitude', in practice, the personal stuff's a bit banal ("sex in a swimming pool ... I just wanna break the rules", etc), and the political stuff, though sometimes interesting and playful ("Uncle Sam kissed a man / Jim Crow Jesus rose again"), is all too often just bland Clinton Democrat fare, rather than anything more challenging. Weirdly, although the 'message' is ostensibly more overt on the album, so as to let the cola-chugging masses know the 'real' Jane beyond the character, it feels like a bit of a step back personally and politically from her writing in her Cindi Mayweather guise.

That's said, it's a likable summer album, and hopefully she'll get to stay in the game off the back of it. It'll certainly be getting further spins from me yet.

[Edited 5/6/18 8:14am]

The Prince's influence was strong like in 2 tracks make me feel and americans but the rest? I wouldn't think of Prince listening to the rest. The album though has been praised by critics more than electric lady was at the time. I think it's better than electric lady too.

gandorb said:

deebee said:

Good, balanced review of the album by Alexis Petridis, which I pretty much agree with:

https://www.theguardian.c...r-off-star

It's an enjoyable listen, and it all coheres well as an album, but I'm afraid, for me, it's probably the weakest set of the three. PYNK, I Like That and Don't Judge Me are excellent; the other singles are pretty good; and there's really nothing in there that falls flat. It's just that in the determination to score her a chart hit, something's been lost and it can tend to sound a bit safe and uninspired. The production is punchy enough, but somewhat 'clean' and antiseptic. Nice Prince pastiches in there, but with much less funk and spunk. And though there's a clear attempt to be more personal and convey 'attitude', in practice, the personal stuff's a bit banal ("sex in a swimming pool ... I just wanna break the rules", etc), and the political stuff, though sometimes interesting and playful ("Uncle Sam kissed a man / Jim Crow Jesus rose again"), is all too often just bland Clinton Democrat fare, rather than anything more challenging. Weirdly, although the 'message' is ostensibly more overt on the album, so as to let the cola-chugging masses know the 'real' Jane beyond the character, it feels like a bit of a step back personally and politically from her writing in her Cindi Mayweather guise.

That's said, it's a likable summer album, and hopefully she'll get to stay in the game off the back of it. It'll certainly be getting further spins from me yet.

[Edited 5/6/18 8:14am]

So far, I really enjoy the album but at the same time don't disagree with most of this assessment. Similar to what Petris said, my main issue with the album is that a few parts of it are reminsicent of Beyonce's last two albums whereas Janelle's previous albums were fully inspired by her own artistic expression. Still, much better than 95% of what is out there.

the mixed opinions about this that I read were always based on the fact they know she can do more complicated and rich stuff than this musically, that's the only thing they could think of. THey were basically saying janelle at the "worst" is better than most at their best.

[Edited 5/6/18 9:20am]

gandorb said:

deebee said:

Good, balanced review of the album by Alexis Petridis, which I pretty much agree with:

https://www.theguardian.c...r-off-star

It's an enjoyable listen, and it all coheres well as an album, but I'm afraid, for me, it's probably the weakest set of the three. PYNK, I Like That and Don't Judge Me are excellent; the other singles are pretty good; and there's really nothing in there that falls flat. It's just that in the determination to score her a chart hit, something's been lost and it can tend to sound a bit safe and uninspired. The production is punchy enough, but somewhat 'clean' and antiseptic. Nice Prince pastiches in there, but with much less funk and spunk. And though there's a clear attempt to be more personal and convey 'attitude', in practice, the personal stuff's a bit banal ("sex in a swimming pool ... I just wanna break the rules", etc), and the political stuff, though sometimes interesting and playful ("Uncle Sam kissed a man / Jim Crow Jesus rose again"), is all too often just bland Clinton Democrat fare, rather than anything more challenging. Weirdly, although the 'message' is ostensibly more overt on the album, so as to let the cola-chugging masses know the 'real' Jane beyond the character, it feels like a bit of a step back personally and politically from her writing in her Cindi Mayweather guise.

That's said, it's a likable summer album, and hopefully she'll get to stay in the game off the back of it. It'll certainly be getting further spins from me yet.

[Edited 5/6/18 8:14am]

So far, I really enjoy the album but at the same time don't disagree with most of this assessment. Similar to what Petris said, my main issue with the album is that a few parts of it are reminsicent of Beyonce's last two albums whereas Janelle's previous albums were fully inspired by her own artistic expression. Still, much better than 95% of what is out there.

Yes, I agree that it's head and shoulders above a lot of stuff out there, and I'm enjoying it too. It's just that, for me, it doesn't quite come up to the level of the last two. Can't blame her for trying to change things up, though, as she's been somewhat underappreciated commercially up to now.