Category — Janelle Monae

It seems like it’s been eons since her fabulous EP debut, but Janelle Monáe’s debut is finally bracing for landing: The ArchAndroid, Janelle’s first full-length LP, will be released on May 18, 2010.

In honor of the announcement, Monae is releasing two new tracks for world consumption right now: “Tightrope (ft. Big Boi)” and “Cold War,” both of which can be found for download and full stream on her official website now.

While “Tightrope” is nice and all, “Cold War” is where it’s truly at. The song is an absolute killer!

In the meantime, the funky fresh cyborg princess will be embarking on a US tour in March and April. Check below to see if Janelle’s coming through your area!

MARCH
15 Washington, DC Black Cat
17 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
18 Philadelphia, PA Johnny Brenda’s
21 San Francisco, CA Café Du Nord
22 San Francisco, CA Café Du Nord
23 Los Angeles, CA The Viper Room
24 Los Angeles, CA The Viper Room
29 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
30 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern
31 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater

APRIL
2 St. Andrews Detroit, MI
5 Smith’s Olde Bar Atlanta, GA
6 Smith’s Olde Bar Atlanta, GA
9 Joe’s Pub New York, NY
10 Joe’s Pub New York, NY

Here we have Rihanna channeling both past (Grace Jones‘ collaborations with Keith Haring) and present (Janelle Monae) in a way that doesn’t smack you over the head with snobbish art elitism.

I’m sold.

DON’T FORGET TO START REQUESTING TODAY!

In a recent pre-show interview with Soul Check, Janelle Monae spilled the deets on her upcoming full-length album, The Ark Android.

It all sounds like a big metaphor for finding Jesus to me.

Brilliant!

Purchase more from Janelle Monae at HMV | MySpace | Official Website

There’s talented, and then there’s just…beyond.

Words fail to describe Janelle Monae’s rock-and-rolling new track, “Come Alive (War of the Roses),” produced along with the Kia Soul Collective. It’s smart, it’s solid, and it’s way, way out of control…in the best way possible.

I mean, have you ever even heard the sounds emitted at the 2:20 mark from a human before? Didn’t think so.

According to a Facebook note, this is but a taste of what’s to come from Monae’s upcoming full-length debut in early 2010. The question is: Are you ready for Janelle?

DL: Janelle Monae – Come Alive (War of the Roses)

Purchase more from Janelle Monae on iTunes | MySpace | Official Website

Come every January, the promise and excitement of new music releases for the new year lies tantalizingly close upon the horizon. Though dozens of fabulous albums will be released this year, I thought I’d compile a list of some of my most heart-pumping, bar-raising anticipated releases for 2009. And just so we’re clear, the answer is yes: In my world, Kelly Clarkson fits that definition.

Annie
As far as Pop Injustices go, it is well known within the industry that Nordic electro-chanteuse Annie truly took the cake in 2008 when her second major album, Don’t Stop, ironically stalled in production only weeks before its release. Annie’s endeavors were cast aside for more lucrative projects after a major corporate shake-up within the star’s former label, Island Records, leading to her eventual drop from the label.
Luckily, she hasn’t given up on the album just yet. In fact, According to a new interview with Exclaim, Annie still owns the original masters of the tracks, and she’s more than willing to give them a proper home at another label. With some time to kill and some new tracks slipped under her Casio keyboard, she’s now aiming to make an album twice as nice as before. With a pending release under Richard X’s record label, “Anthonio,” as well as Don’t Stop favorite, “My Love Is Better” lined up for the first quarter of ’09, perhaps Don’t Stop can finally start revving itself up again.

Why It Could Be So Right: Don’t Stop: The First Time Around
Where It Could All Go Wrong: The Second Great Depression.

DL: Annie – 2 Of Hearts (zShare)

Pet Shop Boys
Let’s hear it for the Boys: After a three year waiting period since their last effort, Fundamental, the iconic electronic duo is gearing up for a new studio album due out March 23, entitled Yes. Anticipation for the album’s release surged when it was announced that Xenomania, the purveyors of glam-pop perfection, would be taking the helm of the production for this new album. With the album already deemed by PopJustice! as “quite good” and the lead single “Love Etc.” described as nothing we’ve ever heard before (in a good way!), the new album may just be the Boys’ punchiest yet.

Why It Could Be So Right: Xenomania; Thinly veiled references to homosexuality
Where It Could All Go Wrong: Country twang and barn sounds.

DL: Pet Shop Boys – It’s A Sin (Barfly Mix) (zShare)

Röyksopp
Torbjørn Brundtland and Svein Berge are only moving up: The two began with 2001’s Melody A.M., an aural accomplishment of trip-hop infused ambient noise and slow sizzling beats. With their follow-up The Understanding in 2004, the two headed into a more mainstream pop direction, enlisting the help of The Knife’s Karin Dreijer, as well as ethereal crooner, Kate Havnevik. The pairing resulted in some of the most essential tracks on the album (“Only This Moment,” “What Else Is There?”), exercises in high-brow pop innovation and brooding electronica.
Following the announcement of the band’s 10th year anniversary came the announcement of Junior, their third major album due March 23. The electro-duo seem to have benefited from a newfound spring in their step, as evidenced in their buoyant, bouncy new single, “Happy Up Here.” Most exciting of all, Röyksopp are not only once again working with Karin Dreijer, but have also enlisted the help of indie darlings Lykke Li and Robyn for their newest release. The latest promotional shots have all featured the boys grinning from ear to ear, so who knows? Perhaps there’s a reason they’re smiling so much.

Why It Could Be So Right: Nordic Pop Perfection, Guest vocals
Where It Could All Go Wrong: Guitars.

DL: Röyksopp – Happy Up Here (zShare)

Imogen Heap
You’ve no doubt heard this sweet songstress somewhere before: Teaming up with Guy Sigsworth as part of side-project Frou Frou, lining the soundtracks of your favorite FOX drama, or perhaps even performing live on Indie 103. Well, Imogen’s stepping back into the spotlight, having been busying herself in preparation for the follow-up to 2005’s spectacular solo album, Speak For Yourself.
Following a move back into her British childhood home, the singer-songwriter decided to build an in-house studio. During the noisy process, the singer had an epiphany: To implement the clicks, clacks, and squeaky sounds of her home directly into her songs, adding what should prove to be an intriguing, organic element to her new music. Recent teasers played in Immi’s weekly video blogs seem to suggest brilliance as usual…Look for this one to hit stores around late-April or May.

Why It Could Be So Right: Concept albums.
Where It Could All Go Wrong: Probably can’t…It’s Imogen Heap.

DL: Imogen Heap – Headlock (zShare)

Kelly Clarkson
Remember that widely reported and entirely overblown altercation between Kelly Clarkson and Clive Davis? Well, say what you will about the matter, but Davis had it right—Clarkson simply wasn’t ready to write her own rock.
To be fair, My December hardly profited from any more gritty ‘tude than her previous album, Breakaway. Yet unlike the groundbreaking album that catapulted Clarkson from the likes of talent show hack to bhona fide belter overnight, My December suffered an aggravating amassing of angst-fueled lyricism that failed to translate into sales, stalling the album’s performance on the carts and failing to propel the deeply unappreciated single “Sober” to its deserved potential.
Nevertheless, the true Idol original has seemingly sucked it up and teamed up with mega-pop titans, including Ryan Tedder (“Apologize,” “Bleeding Love”) and Dr. Luke, responsible for her post-“Since U Been Gone” stormer, “My Life Would Suck Without You.” Judging by the track, Clarkson’s sound hasn’t changed one bit–She’s just added a few, catchy new hooks into the mix.

Why It Could Be So Right: Effortless vocals.
Where It Could All Go Wrong: A renewed desire to fight the man.

DL: Kelly Clarkson – My Life Would Suck Without You (zShare)

Utada
After over four years, the J-Pop megastar is finally planning to return to our side of the shore with the follow-up to her 2004 major label English debut, Exodus. Though the album never took off in sales, it remains one of the finest moments of synth eccentricity and smart-pop ingenuity within her entire back catalog.
After the premiere of the album’s R&B-tinged, hook-heavy lead single, “Come Back To Me,” it seems Hikki’s seeking a radio hit with this new album. As a result, I’m willing to bet we’ll see some star-studded production by blockbuster hip-hop hit-makers, including Timbaland and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins—longtime collaborators and friends. Look for Utada’s upcoming album to drop on March 24 in the States.

Why It Could Be So Right: Alanis-inspired divorce angst.
Where It Could All Go Wrong: Kuma-Chan…‘Nuff said.

DL: Utada – Come Back To Me (zShare)

Frankmusik
For those still unaware, Frankmusik is the Most Exciting Man in Pop. It is no surprise then that his upcoming debut is set to be the Most Exciting Debut in Pop for ‘09. With a sound as frenetic and jittery as the nauseating background images on his MySpace, Mr. Vincent Frank is paving the way for the new generation of DIY-electro online artists. Leading off with a new single for the new year (“Better Off As Two”), it’s only a matter of time before the public catches the buzz. Look for Complete Me to hit stores around June.

Why It Could Be So Right: Access to studio equipment, continued perfection
Where It Could All Go Wrong: Lucrative photoshoot offers from gay magazines.

DL: Frankmusik – Better Off As Two (zShare)

Little Boots
Little Boots is going to be the next big thing in 2009. But don’t take my word for it—ask the British! The BBC recently knighted the DIY-electro superstar as the official “Sound of 2009,” meaning that she’s probably about to have some nice things happen. Like fellow MySpacer Frankmusikm Little Boots has been teasing her fan base with an ever-cycling array of tracks on her MySpace, as well as an adorable selection of weekly pop covers on YouTube. The grainy videos feature the little star hammering away at her Casio, wailing away toward the sky. Each week, Ms. Boots attacks her track of choice with the same intensity and sincerity, whether she’s covering Hot Chip or Miley Cyrus. Give it up, Lady Gaga, there’s a true disco diva coming to save pop. Stay tuned for her electro-fied debut sometime in the second half of the year.

Why It Could Be So Right: Known Kylie Minogue fan.
Where It Could All Go Wrong: Marriage proposal by Frankmusik, resulting in flight off into the countryside

DL: Little Boots – Stuck On Repeat (zShare)

Lily Allen
British potty-mouth and original MySpace ce-webrity Lily Allen has managed to stay within the musical spotlight for over three years now with only one album under her brightly-colored summer dress, 2006’s genre-mashing Alright, Still. With some new friends behind the mixing table (Greg Kurstin) and some new funds to work with, Allen’s sound has already transformed into a much more polished production for 2009’s It’s Not Me, It’s You, due February 9. Fear not, Allen admirers—she’s still the same ol’ brat. Just listen to the lead single, “The Fear,” the tongue-in-cheek, world-weary woe song of a socialite. It’s better than anything from Alright, Still, a probable sign of the new album’s quality.

Why It Could Be So Right: Stupid girls still thrive in society.
Where It Could All Go Wrong: MySpace shuts down.

DL: Lily Allen – The Fear (zShare)

Judging from the list, it seems this may be the year of the MySpace star…Or the Norwegians. Anyway, this is but merely the beginning! Look out for more amazing releases from the likes of dozens more, including: Patrick Wolf, The Noisettes, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kate Havnevik, Depeche Mode, Janelle Monae, and Sia.

2008 was, in retrospect, a fabulous year for all things music. Madonna took a moment from rescuing babies to focus upon saving the world with her vagina in just under four minutes. Icons of the dance world including Grace Jones, Cyndi Lauper, and Donna Summer dusted off their aging vaginas to step out onto the floor again. And a certain vagina-bearing Princess of Pop went from being wheeled out on a gurney in January to being seated atop the music charts in December with a number one album in one final, glorious display of total domination.

Now that I think of it, this was the year of comebacks…Vagina style.

Now, in order to weed out the Best of the Best of 2008, I gave a scroll or two across my monthly playlists from the year with some considerable consideration. When all was said and done, I was left with a list of exactly fifty albums. Taking this as a sign from above (or below, depending on how you interpret this list), I then took the liberty of re-arranging the extensive set of albums (copy-pasting myself into oblivion) until I was in semi-agreement with the end result. Even now, I keep making switches, and I can’t say for sure what separates an album’s genius when we start considering a #36 best from a #42 best album, so let’s just pretend that this thing’s been carved with stone cold confidence, mmkay?

And now, I humbly present the fruits of my labor. In all honesty, there were too many albums that could have made a case for being placed in the Top Ten. It was a near impossible task!

50. Girl Talk – Feed The Animals
49. Khia – Nasti Muzik
48. Koda Kumi – Kingdom
47. Bitter:Sweet – Drama
46. BoA – The Face
45. Britta Persson – Kill Hollywood Me
44. Electrocute – On The Beat EP
43. Sonny J – Disastro
42. Ferry Corsten – Twice In A Blue Moon
41. Ayumi Hamasaki – GUILTY
40. Donna Summer – Crayons
39. t.A.T.u. – Happy Smiles
38. Alesha Dixon – The Alesha Show
37. Amanda Palmer – Who Killed Amanda Palmer?
36. Emiliana Torrini – Me & Armini
35. Rachael Yamagata – Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart
34. Get Well Soon – Rest Now Weary Head, You Will Get Well Soon
33. Zeigeist – The Jade Motel
32. Ashlee Simpson – Bittersweet World
31. Empire of the Sun – Walking On A Dream
30. Janet Jackson – Discipline
29. Ami Suzuki – Supreme Show
28. Mylène Farmer – Point De Suture
27. Utada Hikaru – Heart Station
26. Sneaky Sound System – 2
25. Oceanlab – Sirens of the Sea
24. Sigur Rós – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
23. Lykke Li – Youth Novels
22. Sia – Some People Have Real Problems
21. Hercules & Love Affair – Hercules & Love Affair
20. M83 – Saturdays=Youth
19. Michelle Williams – Unexpected
18. Cyndi Lauper – Bring Ya To The Brink
17. Kaskade – Strobelite Seduction
16. Danity Kane – Welcome To The Dollhouse
15. Will Young – Let It Go
14. Sam Sparro – Sam Sparro
13. Charlotte Sometimes – Waves & The Both Of Us
12. Alanis Morissette – Flavors of Entanglement
11. Grace Jones – Hurricane

Squeezing in…

10. Moby – Last Night
09. Lady Gaga – The Fame
08. Janelle Monáe – Metropolis: The Chase Suite
07. Goldfrapp – Seventh Tree
06. Santogold – Santogold

5. Madonna – Hard Candy

Frankly, the Queen is lucky to be hanging on to the Top 5. After crafting perhaps the definitive dance record of the decade, 2005’s Confessions on A Dancefloor, expectations for her follow-up release were at an understanble, impossible height. So, when Hard Candy finally hit the airwaves, devout Madonnaholics instantly began to fume with a nearly unanimous view: She’s trying too hard! Incorporating Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and a slew of inappropriately childish lyrics (“Watch my booty get down, like uh!”), Her Madgesty seemed doubtful of her own relevance, the ultimate misstep for the Queen. As a result, instead of setting the standards of Pop in 2008, Madonna followed through the motions, producing an album that could have come from the post-2006 Nelly Furtado, Chris Brown, or any other Timba-concocted personality in the late ’00’s.

All this being said however, the album is still, for all intents and purposes, quite good. It’s failings merely lie in the fact that it is a Madonna album. If we peel away the expectations that come with the superstar, the songs within the candy-coated album become plenty sweet for the rest of us. “Candy Shop” remains one of my tiny delights, along with “She’s Not Me,” and “Give It 2 Me,” the brief Dance Dance Revolution exercise in synth-inspired mindlessness. The real saving grace lies in the album’s ballads, including the epic “Miles Away” (which is denied the title of perfection as a result of that inexcusable human beat-boxing from Timbaland in the background), and “Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You,” a mature crafting of contemplative, brooding dark pop.

4. Annie – Don’t Stop

I know. Stop me–This isn’t an actual album. Several weeks before the album’s original release date of October 12, Don’t Stop leaked onto the net, resulting in Island Records’ decision to push the release back all the way until April 2009 in search of fresh promotional tactics. Annie is now trying to push her brilliant cover of Stacey Q’s “Two of Hearts” as a single, while the future of Don’t Stop remains entirely dubious. If the album does manage to see the light of day next year, it may very well end up topping the Top 10 charts for that year as well. If not, it will surely become one of the greater Pop Injustices of the decade.

Don’t Stop is a delicious merger of just-below-the-radar, indie-rock influence and sugary sweet, bubble pop confection. Including the much adored, relentlessly catchy lead single “I Know UR Girlfriend Hates Me,” every track is a potential hit for the Norway songstress, including the frenetic brag fest “My Love Is Better” and the warm sensual surges of “Take You Home.” Then there’s “Song’s Remind Me Of You,” a work in progress that has topped the wishlists of Pop Enthusiasts everywhere over the past few years as the highly anticipated, highly mysterious Richard X-produced single proclaimed as perfection by PopJustice. The anticipation was far too great for the song to perform to those expectations, though it does remain one of the best tracks of the year…Hands down.

3. Sugababes – Catfights And Spotlights

If this list were to be judged solely on cohesiveness, the Babes would take all. Sadly it is not, and I cannot in good mind place their release any higher. S&C is an astonishingly understated album, performing only moderately well on the charts before slipping fast into the depths.

The title may have been the first to throw the critics. To this day, Catfights And Spotlights still does nothing in relationship to the content of the album. It’s a title better saved for a future Aloud album, I’d say. The second misleading choice was the lead single, “Girls,” a horn-happy looper of a track that, when experienced on its own, grows irritating after only three or four listens.

Yet by and large, those still willing to give the Babes a chance found themselves delightfully suprised by the outcome: A powerhouse of swinging ’60’s sound, heartbreaking melodies, and clever lyricism, the album not only trumps anything the Babes have ever released in the past five years, but a vast majority of this year’s releases. To this day, it remains a vital installation within my playlists. Congratulations Amelle, you’ve done something quite right for the Sugababes.

2. Girls Aloud – Out Of Control
I’ll admit, the ordering of the top three was a bit daunting, but I’m going to stick to my guns here. Out Of Control, like every release from the Aloud since What Would The Neighbours Say?, is an unstoppable hits-friendly collection of up-tempo club bangers and tongue-in-cheek, chic stilleto pop. The Girls continue to provide as much glamour and glitz as possible within their fifth release, while managing to inject some versatility (stronger solos for Nicola and Kimba, farm sounds, and country music!), as well as the powerhouse production that remains purely Aloud. With “Untouchable” alone, Girls Aloud have now raised their own bar of quality for 2009.

1. Britney Spears – Circus

My feelings for Circus have been expressed best in my review, and remain entirely unchanged. As a result, there’s very little left to say: Circus is packed with insatiably addictive dance numbers, silly up-tempo sing-a-longs, and borderline cheese ballads that the singer continues to command throughout her entire career. If we cam take nothing else from the album, the title track’s perfection alone merits its position atop the Top 10.

This is a true Britney Spears album, recorded by the biggest name in Pop of our time. It is with this release that Spears returns to her prime, her glory, or whatever you’d like to call it. And while the album cannot be considered purely perfection, the statement it makes can: Pop is back, and Britney Spears is here to stay.

In no particular, I have chosen Track #6 from each of the Top 5 Albums.
…Okay, so I made sure that Track Six happened to be fairly epic across the board.
Unknown Pop truth? Perhaps.

DL: Madonna – She’s Not Me
DL: Annie – I Can’t Let Go
DL: Sugababes – Unbreakable Heart
DL: Girls Aloud – Untouchable
DL: Britney Spears – If U Seek Amy

In a world of illegal downloading and instant gratification, there is little appreciation for the concept of a full length album. Or so says Janelle Monáe’s management team: “The concept of the suite release was inspired by the observation that the youth of the iPod generation no longer buy or listen to entire albums. They listen to playlists. They grab their favorite three to four songs from a particular album, add those to a playlist, and then discard the rest of the album like yesterday’s news.”

For that reason, Monáe’s team has decided to opt for a “suite” collection; quarterly releases that feature a small sampling of tracks juicy enough to both hold the public’s interest and leave them begging for more. Last Tuesday saw the release of Monáe’s first collection: Metropolis: The Chase Suite.

The album is a concept centered around fictitious Metropolis, a world based on the 1929 silent film bearing the same name. The conflict? Cindi Mayweather, an Alpha Platinum 9000 android, has committed the crime of falling in love with a human, an intolerable act. Now, the chase is on amongst the aliens of Metropolis to find and destroy Mayweather’s cyber-soul. Still following? Good, now hang on a bit longer.

The album opens with “The March of the Wolfmasters,” a cheeky intergalactic announcement that formally commences the hunt for Cindi Mayweather. As soon as the track fades out, the album surges into its full element: “I-I-I’m an alien from outer space,” Monae stutters into the opening of “Violet Stars Happy Hunting!!!” before the operatic backing vocals crash against an unstoppably catchy guitar-synth riff. “Y’all better shut up,” she suddenly announces mid-track, as the song moves swiftly into the album’s surging organ fueled soul fest, “Many Moons,” which is reminiscent of a Gnarls Barkley track on speed.

After “Cybertronic Purgatory,” the album’s sobering and operatic vocoded half way mark, “Sincerely, Jane” supplies a fresh, new resurgence of energy. Monáe pierces the airwaves along with spirited horn flourishes in this swinging, bossa nova drenched burst of sound. It’s a clash of genres, wandering between elements of Motown, jazz, and classic pop standards. The follow up however fails to maintain that energy. “Mr. President,” is an uneven, if not misplaced political skewering that doesn’t quite pack the same punch as the rest of the album. It’s a valiant effort and a beautiful Motown mid-tempo, but the lyrical content feels more like a slightly misguided step than a meaningful contribution to the suite.

Nevertheless, she redeems herself in the end with the climactic “Sing,” a mellow ballad that captures Monáe’s inner Garland with emotion-wrought delivery as she croons: “Smile, though your heart is aching / Smile, even though it’s breaking.” It’s both fractured and haunting, similar to something that might have been found on Amy Winehouse’s Frank. “Thank you, thank you very much,” she whispers as the track winds down, making it clear that we’ve already touched back down to Earth.

Employing a rich, soulful sound and heaps of confident showmanship, it becomes clear why James Brown and Judy Garland are ranked amongst Monáe’s greatest musical influences. She comes armed with an assured, silky smooth voice that can belt within an impressively controlled range, yet she’s never afraid to throw caution to the wind and riff her way up and down a track with ease.

With all this talk of cyborgs, androids, and electro daggers, Monáe still manages to merge space-age surrealism with real world emotion without falling prey to cheesiness. The concept truly works here, and a complete story is told within the constraints of the album. Interweaving the sounds of classic seventies soul, today’s electro and synth sounds, and throwback classic pop rhythms, there’s little that hasn’t been covered within this seven track triumph.

Despite a great familiarity with the kinds of music being used within each song, I have honestly never heard anything like this album before. Janelle Monáe isn’t just genre-bending–she’s inventing. A surefire contender for album of the year, Metropolis: The Chase Suite is a shining powerhouse of cybertronic invention and lofty imagination. I don’t quite know what to expect next from Janelle Monáe, but then again, I don’t think anyone does. Well, except for Cindi Mayweather.