The ArchAndroid

Janelle Monae, the most important artist on Bad Boy Records

Janelle Monae when artists of completely varied content perform on the same label it is difficult to judge whether some of them deserves praise to a greater or a lesser extent. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and his Bad Boy Records proudly present new solo artists and young bands to the worlds from time to time, but there has not yet been someone among them to really surprise so far though, Sean and his team obviously know what talent is. Now, in 2008 Janelle Monae’s EP Metropolis, Suite I: The Chase is released and Combs names the singer the most important artist on his label. Externally Janelle Monae is rather a short African American girl, very plastic and lively, with unbelievable hair, wearing a nice suite with short trousers and a sort of saddle footwear. Internally it is an eclectic artist with an unimaginable number of ideas. Finally, her vocals are simply indecently close to perfection. In a word, looks like this time Combs can really be proud to work with such a personality who this year releases her debut full-length album The ArchAndroid which continues to story started two years ago.

An entire encyclopedia of music styles The ArchAndroid

So, it is Janelle and her ideas, partially embodied on The ArchAndroid. The singer’s alter-ego is named Cindi Mayweather, it is a futuristic personage, android, who finds force to change the world to the better. The previous work presented the beginning of the story which unveils in the suits, then the first one and the second and the third on this record. Hence, the album opens with a splendid orchestra track Suite II Overture, followed by three eclectic compositions, Dance Or Die (feat. Saul Williams), Faster and Locked Inside. The listeners have no doubt by this moment that Janelle is a master of up-tempo tunes, whereas the slow peaceful songs Sir Greendown, Neon Gumbo, Mushrooms & Roses, Neon Valley Street and 57821 featuring Deep Cotton showcase the singer’s calmer side. These her sides are extremely opposite and probably the eclectics fits Janelle’s temper more although there are some interesting moments among the slow numbers, too. The highlights of the up-tempo melodies are Cold War with a contagious beat and the first single Tightrope, performed with Big Boi of Outkast, as well as a very positive, almost childish song Wondaland. The album closes with practically a nine minute composition BaBopByeYa. On the whole it would not be too much to say that The ArchAndroid’s almost 70 minutes contain an entire encyclopedia of music styles, each track deserves a special attention, each one has its own zest, its own message, an important thought to say nothing of the marvelous music, very harmonious and colorful arrangements and Janelle’s amazing vocals.

The enormous work of the singer herself, musicians and producers

Looking at one cannot but be pleased with her openness and ease. The 24 year old artist charges with her energy to such an extent that you want to leave all the things to do and dance with her. Monae herself is deeply convinced that dancing is able to make miracles and heal the soul, she is never tired of saying that when talking to press. Educated in the American Music and Dramatic Academy in New York the singer initially wanted to perform exclusively on Broadway but then changed her mind which cannot but makes us glad. Everything in Janelle’s creative work is out of the mainstream frames we are used to. Her music can be compared to the works of Gnarls Barkley, Erykah Badu, Outkast, James Brown and Jackson 5 at the same time. There is a great number of various shades and nuances on The ArchAndroid – the enormous work of the singer herself, musicians and producers is but obvious. The album’s only shortcoming is that some of the songs may be thought too long but with a voice and talent like that this artist can actually enjoy oneself as much as one wants. No doubt Janelle Monae has still a lot of ideas to fulfill and hopefully she will not makes us wait too long for The ArchAndroid’s follow-up.