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Janelle Monae
The ArchAndroid
Posted 9/3
Campus Correspondent Review By Alyssa Vincent,
North Central College
One look at the cover art of The ArchAndroid—which features Monae channeling the classic sci-fi flick Metropolis—and listeners realize that they’re in for quite the theatrical experience. This album is extraordinarily ambitious, featuring dance tracks, R&B-influenced songs, and a fitting appearance from Of Montreal in all of its freaky glory. What’s more incredible about the 18 tracks on The ArchAndroid though is just how amazing all of them are—it’s as if Monae doesn’t know how to write or sing a boring song. Each one is bursting at the seams with creativity, and one can only hope that Monae will get the credit she deserves for such a stellar effort.
An album like this doesn’t lend itself well to picking a “favorite” track—each one features its own unique mood. Songs like “Dance or Die,” “Cold War,” “Tightrope,” and “Come Alive (War of the Roses)” feature infectious energy and fantastic beats. Though, to be fair, “Come Alive (War of the Roses)” showcases the finest that Monae’s pipes have to offer—she literally wails through most of the song. However tracks like “Oh, Maker” and “57821” prove that Monae can slow things down and still command the attention of her listeners. With the year halfway over, it seems like the right time to start talking about the best releases of the year so far, and without a doubt, The ArchAndroid is the cream of the crop.
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