J.Says Online
  • Home
  • Entertainment
    • THE J. LIST
    • J.LIST BLOG
    • GENERAL HOSPITAL
  • Seriously Beyonce`, WTH?!?
  • Society/Culture
  • So This is Life?
    • J.Says Daily
    • J.Says & the "Quarter-Life Crisis"
  • Contact/ Info
  • Feedback

Janelle Monae: Electric Lady (Deluxe)

9/14/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
Album Review by @EddieJSays, Contributing Writer

Likes: “Q.U.E.E.N,” “Electric Lady,” “PrimeTime,” “It’s Code,”“Victory,” “Sally Ride”
Dislikes: “What an Experience”
Overall: A must buy, for anyone who enjoys great quality music, lyrics, and vocals.

Although this is only her sophomore album, many doubts, as well as hopes, were invested in Janelle Monae’s ability to top the musical masterpieces that were her debut album “The Archandroid” and EP “Metropolis: The Chase Suite,” both in the funk filled, R&B sci-fi series she created. The new “Electric Lady” goes beyond satisfying and meeting the bar from her previous releases and ultimately pushes her vocal, lyrical and musical capabilities to unfathomable heights. If you’re wondering what the “hype” around Janelle Monae is, please understand that it is not as much about her being “different” as it is for her being mission-driven and immensely talented all in one cohesive package. This album showcases this in a very boisterous way; full of live instruments and constant genre and tempo changes, “Electric Lady” is a subliminal storyline about Janelle Monae and Cindi Mayweather (a fictional alpha-platinum 9000 android who was programmed to be the ultimate entertainer, using computer codes to implement everything that has been pleasing and successful to the music industry in the past). The first remarkable part of this album is that she took the common criticism from “The Archandroid” that many people (including J.Says herself) felt detached and dejected from the songs and as if the concepts and lyrics were purposefully going over their heads, and flipped it into a positive. “Givin Them What They Love” (featuring Prince, yes, THE Prince) pretty much sets the scene for what she’s about to do. The song itself is far from what you’d expect to hear from the duo, but has an interesting country- meets-rock feel to it. The songs that follow are probably the most commercial Monae has ever created (which is, in this context, a GOOD thing). Using simple lyrics to imply dual meanings is a skill Monae masters, especially on “Q.U.E.E.N,” featuring Erykah Badu, and the title track, featuring Solange Knowles.

Vocally, Monae is still in her prime, soaring into her chest voice more than she has before, while maintaining a virtually perfect technique and being able to switch her voice textures at the drop of a dime. She allows her range to flutter to her top head voice, down to her low alto, amidst the thumping 808s, electrifying synths, funky guitars and brass that appear throughout the suites. Her fearlessness in vocal experimentation in itself is entertaining to hear, as she emotes over the music and yet, she still manages to sometimes come off as robotic or formulaic in this approach.  She is more uninhibited, nonetheless, as she raps in 3 songs (“Q.U.E.E.N,” “Electric Lady” & “Ghetto Woman”) focusing on socially conscious themes, as the music seems to add to her overall energy. Song-wise, the album is solid; every song has a purpose and its own texture that contributes to the whole. Songs like “It’s Code” and “Victory” tug at her R&B roots, while “PrimeTime”( featuring Miguel), “We Were Rock &Roll” and “Givin Em’ What They Love” accentuates her rock & roll foundations. “Ghetto Woman” sounds like one of Stevie Wonder’s forgotten “Songs in the Key of Life” (from the second half, to be exact) tracks and tunes like “Look Into My Eyes,” “Dorothy Dandridge Eyes” (featuring Esperanza Spalding) and “Can’t Live Without Your Love” allow her smooth-like-honey voice to send the listener to ecstasy. The deluxe edition contains two remixes, one additional original song and a beautiful acoustic, slowed down cover of “I Want You Back” by The Jackson 5. The “Electric Lady” remix, featuring Big Boi and Cee-lo Green, is impeccable and “Hell You Talmbout” could have easily been on the standard version’s tracklist. Another plus is that among all of the features on the album, Ms. Monae doesn’t allow the album to feel cluttered and dependent upon these collaborations. Solange only sings background vocals (which are PHENOMENAL), Erykah Badu has space for a verse, but it comes off as spastic adlibbing and Prince’s sung part is short lived, but he plays several guitar parts throughout the song. It works because it allows the artistic nature of every featured artist to thrive and mesh with Ms. Monae’s music and play a part in the progression of the story without seeming random.

The structure of this album is also more cohesive than the “ArchAndroid” (although that was the point, as described in the liner notes of that album), and shows the social climate of Metropolis’ Wonderground Society. Her allusions to racism, the gay rights movement and sexism are subtle, yet the most effective, all the while the plot of the series is optional for the newcomers (even though the interludes will make no sense without understanding the plot to some degree). On the surface, Suite IV focuses on Janelle having a good time, entertaining the audience, celebrating her womanhood and free-thinking, while Suite V focuses on her personal life, along with her emotional battles since her previous release. One other thing to point out about Janelle albums that always goes unnoticed is that the packaging is always part of the fun. I feel bad for people who stream/illegally download Monae’s music, because copies of these booklets don’t exist via Google image search and reading them takes away any notion that a song is “too cryptic” in nature.  For one, an elusive excerpt furthering the plot of the story is always included, but in the actual credits, she states what inspired the songs. Like how “Dance Apocalyptic” is “inspired by Michael Jackson’s Glistening Jheri curl in Thriller and Bo Diddley’s Tremolo Guitar” or how “Givin Em What They Love” is “inspired by HiddenColors1&TWO and the burning big house in Django Unchained.”

Overall, the album is a must-have and will probably soon be deemed not just album of the year, but a classic. The only fault I could find in the album is that the end of both suites seemed a bit low in energy. Oh and that it’s too good. Not being biased or anything, but it’s one of those albums that you probably will listen to a couple times, then  have to STOP listening to just to thoroughly enjoy the other album releases that have come out this year. Monae is clearly in a lane of her own and is maintaining her creative integrity, while opening up enough for people to fully embrace her voice, music and message. Just that is exactly what an “Electric Lady” does: she uses her voice and experience to convey her message in the threat of adversity. 

1 Comment
Rana Irby
9/16/2013 11:07:28 am

You just expressed most of my sentiments.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Entertainment

    Rants and raves about all things entertainment industry. Includes my own movie, music and concert reviews. You can find topics under "Tags and Categories" below.

    Note: Occasionally, articles will be posted by other writers and they will be marked as such. Want to be a contributor for this part of the site? Click the "Contact/info" tab and fill out the form to apply.

    Picture

    Archives

    February 2022
    August 2021
    July 2021
    March 2021
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    June 2009
    January 2009
    November 2008

    Tags/Categories

    All
    1a. Album Reviews
    1b.Concert Reviews
    1c.Stuck In My Head
    1d.The State Of The Music
    1e.The Curious Case Of...
    1g.You Should Hear This
    1h. Song/Video Reviews
    1I. Rock&Rant
    1j. Artist Spotlight
    1k. Contributing Writers
    1 Music
    2a.movie Reviews
    2 Television/movies
    3 Books
    4:44
    50 Shades Of Grey
    98 Degrees
    Aaliyah
    Adele
    Aj Dugger
    Aladdin
    Alexis Jordan
    Alicia Keys
    Allen Stone
    Alt-pop
    American Idol
    Amy Winehouse
    Angela Bassett
    Anhayla
    Annie
    Ariana Grande
    Art
    Ashanti
    Ashford & Simpson
    Ashlee Simpson
    Ashley Tisdale
    Aston
    Aubrey O
    Babyface
    Banks
    Beauty And The Beast
    Being Mary Jane
    Bellamy Young
    Ben Savage
    Best Man Holiday
    Bet
    Bette Midler
    Beyonce`
    Biopic
    Black Community
    Black-ish
    Black Media
    Blink 182
    Blogging
    Blonde
    Bluebird Of Happiness
    B.O.B.
    Bobby Brown
    Bow Wow
    Boy Meets World
    Brandy
    Britney Spears
    Calling All Lovers
    Capra
    Carly Rae Jepsen
    Carrie Underwood
    Catfish
    Caution
    Celeb Journalism
    Changes
    Charity Music
    Charles Esten
    Chike Evans
    Chris Brown
    Chrisette Michele
    Christina Aguilera
    Ciara
    City & Colour
    Clarence Clemons
    Cletus
    Clipped
    Clive Davis
    Coldplay
    Connie Britton
    Conrad Murray
    Cookie Lyon
    Daley
    D'Angelo
    Danity Kane
    Daughter
    Dawn Richard
    Deacon Claybourne
    Dee Pimpin
    Deliver Us From Eva
    Delta Goodrem
    Demi Lovato
    Derek Yates
    Descendants
    Descendants 2
    Destinys Child
    Diddy Dirty Money
    Disney
    Disney Channel
    Divas
    Django Unchained
    Dove Cameron
    Drake
    Dreamgirls
    Eddie J.
    Empire
    Esperanza Spalding
    Eternally In Awe
    Etta James
    Evanescence
    Fantasia
    Feeling Myself
    Feminism
    Feminism In Music
    Fifth Harmony
    Fiona Apple
    Formation
    Franco
    Frankmusik
    Frank Ocean
    Fuller House
    Full House
    Gabrielle Union
    General Hospital
    Gil Scott-Heron
    Girl Meets World
    Girls Generation
    Gladiators
    Glory
    Gone But Not Forgotten
    Good To Know
    Grammys
    Grease
    Halloween
    Hayden Panettiere
    Hayley Reinhart
    Hip Hop & Rap
    Hocus Pocus
    Hugh Jackman
    Illegal Downloading
    Independent Artists
    Interviews
    It's Dio
    Jamaal D. Pittman
    James Lewis
    James Morrison
    Jamie Foxx
    Janelle Monae`
    Janet Jackson
    Jason Derulo
    Jay Z
    J.Cole
    Jennifer Hudson
    Jennifer Lopez
    Jessica Sanchez
    Jessie J
    Joe Jonas
    John Legend
    John Mayer
    JoJo
    Jonas Brothers
    Jordin Sparks
    Joss Stone
    Julianne Hough
    Juliette Barnes
    Jungle Book
    Junior Martinez
    Jurassic World
    Justin Bieber
    Justin Timberlake
    Kanye West
    Karmin
    Kate Winslet
    Katharine Mcphee
    Katy Perry
    Kelly Clarkson
    Kelly Rowland
    Kendrick Lamar
    Kenny Ortega
    Keri Hilson
    Kerry Washington
    Kevin Costner
    Keyshia Cole
    Kickstarter
    Kimbra
    Kings Of Leon
    K-pop
    Kris Allen
    Lady Antebellum
    Lady Gaga
    Lana Del Rey
    Lauren Alaina
    Lauryn Hill
    Leah Labelle
    Lea Michele
    Lee Crain
    Lemonade
    Lennon Stella
    Leonardo Dicaprio
    Lianne La Havas
    Liberation
    Lifetime
    Lip Synching
    Little Mix
    Luke James
    Madetobenow
    Madonna
    Man Of The Woods
    Mariah Carey
    Marie` Digby
    Maroon 5
    Match.com
    Mathew Knowles
    Meaning Of Life
    Media
    Megan Thee Stallion
    Meghan Trainor
    Mgmt
    Michael Jackson
    Michelle Williams
    Mick Jagger
    Miguel
    Miley Cyrus
    Misogyny
    Mj Johnson
    Morris Chestnut
    Mtv
    Musicals
    Music Business
    Music Consumers
    Music Nerd
    Music On Facebook
    Music Quotes
    Music Videos
    Nashville
    Nashville CMT
    Nelly Furtado
    N.E.R.D.
    Netflix
    Network Tv
    Nev Schulman
    Ne-Yo
    Nick Ashford
    Nicki Minaj
    Nick Jonas
    Nick Lachey
    Nick Nittoli
    Nikki & Rich
    No Doubt
    Now You See Me
    Octavia Spencer
    Olivia Rodrigo
    One Direction
    One Life To Live
    Pharrell
    Phylicia Rashad
    Pink
    Playlists
    Positions
    Power Rangers
    Prince
    Princess Jasmine
    Producers
    Proud Mary
    Queen Of Pop
    Quvenzhane Wallis
    Rare
    Raven's Home
    Raven Symone
    Rayna James
    R&B
    Reality Tv
    Reputation
    Rihanna
    Robin Thicke
    Robin Williams
    Roger Howarth
    Rolling Stone
    Ronald Matters
    Ron Carlivati
    Rowan Blanchard
    Roxie Bardo
    Ryan Tedder
    Sales
    Sam Smith
    Sam Sparro
    Sanaa Lathan
    Scandal
    Selena Gomez
    Seth Macfarlane
    Sex
    Sex And Cigarettes
    Shannon Bex
    Shannon Sanders
    Shonda Rhimes
    Simon Cowell
    Sister Act 2
    SNSD
    Soap Operas
    Social Media
    Solange
    Song Writing
    Sorry Not Sorry
    Sour
    Spell My Name
    Spotify
    Streaming
    Suga
    Superheavy
    Sweetener
    Sza
    Tamar Braxton
    Taraji P. Henson
    Taye Diggs
    Taylor Swift
    Tell Me You Love Me
    The Band Perry
    The Cosby Show
    The Day That Music Dies
    The Dealers
    The Dream
    The Exciters
    The Greatest Showman
    The Lion King
    The PinkPrint
    The Roots
    The Script
    The Seatbelts
    The Voice
    Three. Two. One.
    T.I.
    TIDAL
    Titanic
    Tlc
    Tlc Movie
    Tlc Story
    Toni Braxton
    Tori Kelly
    Trey Songz
    Tribute
    Tricky Stewart
    Tyler Perry
    Unbreakable
    Unbreakable Tour
    Unbreak My Heart
    Usher
    Vanessa Carlton
    Vanessa Hudgens
    Videoblogs
    Video Uploads
    Vontae`
    Wale
    Whitney
    Whitney Houston
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Will.i.am
    Women In Music
    Xfactor
    You Cant Win
    Younger Now
    Youtube Talent
    Zac Efron
    Zayn Malik
    Zendaya

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.