Janelle Monáe – The ArchAndroid

Album Info

Artist: Janelle Monáe

Title: The ArchAndroid

Year: 2010

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Tracklist

1. Suite II Overture (2:31)
2. Dance or Die (feat. Saul Williams) (3:12)
3. Faster (3:19)
4. Locked Inside (4:16)
5. Sir Greendown (2:14)
6. Cold War (3:23)
7. Tightrope (feat. Big Boi) - Big Boi Vocal Edit (4:22)
8. Neon Gumbo (1:37)
9. Oh, Maker (3:46)
10. Come Alive (War of the Roses) (3:22)
11. Mushrooms & Roses (5:42)
12. Suite III Overture (1:41)
13. Neon Valley Street (4:11)
14. Make the Bus (feat. Of Montreal) (3:19)
15. Wondaland (3:36)
16. 57821 (feat. Deep Cotton) (3:16)
17. Say You'll Go (6:00)
18. BaBopByeYa (8:47)

Review

Janelle Monáe's "The ArchAndroid" dazzles like a meticulously choreographed dance, leaping across genres with effortless grace. Released on May 18, 2010, this debut album is an 18-track epic that unfolds over 70 minutes, each moment a brilliant step showcasing Monáe's fearless creativity and extraordinary vocal prowess. The album whirls through R&B, funk, rap, pastoral British folk, psychedelic rock, and disco, effortlessly blending styles and drawing intriguing comparisons to icons like David Bowie, Prince, Outkast, and Michael Jackson.

Divided into two suites, each beginning with an overture, the album tells a futuristic tale featuring a messianic android named Cindi Mayweather. The narrative, steeped in Afrofuturism and science fiction, explores profound themes of love, identity, and self-realization, making every track a pivot like a dancer seamlessly transitioning through routines. Critically acclaimed and debuting at number 17 on the US *Billboard* 200, "The ArchAndroid" has been hailed for its thematic richness and eclectic musical range, earning Monáe a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album. Its timeless relevance and audacious artistry ensure it continues to resonate, a decade later, with listeners who appreciate the unbounded and visionary spirit of her work. - Maya