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Janelle Monae, Dirty Computer

Janelle Monae, Dirty Computer


The ArchAndroid has launched a rocketship, from the distant planet of progged out science-fiction neo-soul that spawned her first couple of albums, all the way into the cultural and sexual politics of our time. Coming out as pansexual just prior to the album’s release was the opening salvo. Monae now strips off the metallic hull of her otherworldly persona piece by piece and revels in her naked humanity. The whole record is richly sexual. (Has her mentor Prince, by passing since her last album, handed her a torch?) It is also expressly feminist, openly leftist and wonderfully personal. Coming still further down to earth, Monae also aligns herself a bit more with the musical zeitgeist, having seriously honed her rap skills and steered her R&B closer toward modern tastes too. She hasn’t abandoned her uniqueness, though, just integrated all of that into her own thang. Highlights: “Pynk,” “Crazy, Classic Life,” “I Like That”

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