# Any Janelle Monae fans? She has a new album coming soon, first two songs released! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [February 23, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377 "2018-02-23T00:40:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/1 "2018-02-23T00:40:23Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tGRzz0oqgUE/hqdefault.jpg "Janelle Monáe – Make Me Feel [Official Music Video]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGRzz0oqgUE) She is my absolute favorite current musical artist. The two songs almost couldn't be more different -- a pop-ish Prince/Bowie homage, and a hip-hop protest anthem. I loved both of 'em. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/2 "2018-02-23T00:51:20Z")
Ooo - will check them out! ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/3 "2018-02-23T01:07:22Z")
That first song sounds like a killer Prince track. I’ve had it on repeat for the last few hours. I’m looking forward to the rest of the album. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/4 "2018-02-23T01:20:31Z")
She is SO GODDAMN AWESOME, definitely my favorite musician I’ve learned about in many years. Her Afrofuturist pop is the best nerd music being made today, and any self-respecting nerd should play her on repeat. Also, she’s starring in [Jordan Peele’s next movie](https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8212636/janelle-monae-jordan-peele-w-magazine), and I am barely restraining my squee. So, so much of her stuff is good. [Tightrope](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwnefUaKCbc) is a good starting place, if you like insane asylums with dementors; or you can go [Q.U.E.E.N](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEddixS-UoU) for dystopian museum rebellions; or just go [Dance Apocalyptic](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaMBagakSdM) for exactly what it sounds like. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/5 "2018-02-23T01:28:23Z")
Also I hadn’t heard those two, and holy shit they’re good. ---
**Author:** ![4d3fect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/4d3fect/32/9728_2.png) [@4d3fect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/4d3fect)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/6 "2018-02-23T03:43:59Z")
Yeah, good news, been listening to The ArchAndroid a lot lately ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/7 "2018-02-23T03:53:48Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Also, she’s starring in [Jordan Peele’s next movie](https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8212636/janelle-monae-jordan-peele-w-magazine), and I am barely restraining my squee. > . She’s also in the TV show Electric Dreams which I am hanging out to see. Love her music. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/8 "2018-02-23T04:52:36Z")
Janelle is amazing. Definitely looking forward to this. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/9 "2018-02-23T06:18:09Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Also, she’s starring in [Jordan Peele’s next movie](https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8212636/janelle-monae-jordan-peele-w-magazine), and I am barely restraining my squee. I hate to be a squee-kill, but… AFAICT Jordan Peele’s “Noir Town”, starring Monae, was a photoshoot for _W_ magazine riffing on Hitchcock-style noir movies. Not an actual movie itself. They are both busy working on other stuff though, so silver lining all the way!!! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/10 "2018-02-23T11:51:26Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > I hate to be a squee-kill, but… AFAICT Jordan Peele’s “Noir Town”, starring Monae, was a photoshoot for _W_ magazine riffing on Hitchcock-style noir movies. Not an actual movie itself. > > They are both busy working on other stuff though, so silver lining all the way!!! :smack: Jesus Christ, I can’t believe I misread that article that badly. Peele’s been interviewing lately talking about his next project, and I just assumed this was really it. Anyway, thanks for the clarification, and boooooo. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/11 "2018-02-23T12:07:48Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > She is my absolute favorite current musical artist. The two songs almost couldn't be more different -- a pop-ish Prince/Bowie homage, and a hip-hop protest anthem. I loved both of 'em. Listened to them both. WOW! She’s swinging for the fences with this album, that’s clear. With her movie success and the “why hasn’t her music blown up yet?!” reputation in the music world, this is her time for bold crossover and she is going for it. Make Me Feel, her paean to bisexuality, is just amazing. Pure Prince funk pop, with hints of Michael and Janet. I hear that the ‘tick tock’ rhythm base is done with vocal sounds, likely Monae’s - very cool. But the pre-chorus of this song is what stands out - the part that includes the phrase “there’s nothing better.” It has a little chromatic-step-down melodic hook that is _perfect_ - takes a straight up funk-pop hook and draws you in with a bit of weird-but-not-too-weird - and the bursts into the chorus. So damn fun. And could Monae be any damn sexier in the video? Talk about feeling her sexual freedom and celebrating it - damn. And Django Jane? I am in awe of her lyrics. I am Woman and I am _not_ fucking around. One bit is something along the lines of “it will take a pussy riot, or maybe we gotta put ‘em on a pussy diet” - oh, man, punning on the Greek drama The Lysistrata AND invoking the Russian political punk group Pussy Riot? I am in love. The song is full-throated and powerful and smart. Her level of execution and independence really reminds me of **St. Vincent** - dominant, intelligent musical talent that can’t be denied, embraces her physical sexuality and sheer physical beauty as part of her persona, and staying lodged in her musical roots but fully ready for crossover success. Boy I hope so - she deserves it. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2018, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/12 "2018-02-23T15:14:03Z")
I’m at work so listening to the OP tracks isn’t an option right now but, yesterday, Tightrope came up on Pandora and got a quick thumbs up from me. I saw the name in the OP title and thought “Hey, isn’t that the person I heard?” Guess so and now I know to poke around her other stuff. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/13 "2018-04-10T19:05:25Z")
Third video is out: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/PaYvlVR_BEc/maxresdefault.jpg "Janelle Monáe - PYNK [Official Music Video]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaYvlVR_BEc) ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/14 "2018-04-10T19:44:43Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Make Me Feel, her paean to bisexuality, is just amazing. Pure Prince funk pop, with hints of Michael and Janet. I hear that the ‘tick tock’ rhythm base is done with vocal sounds, likely Monae’s - very cool. But the pre-chorus of this song is what stands out - the part that includes the phrase “there’s nothing better.” It has a little chromatic-step-down melodic hook that is _perfect_ - takes a straight up funk-pop hook and draws you in with a bit of weird-but-not-too-weird - and the bursts into the chorus. So damn fun. And could Monae be any damn sexier in the video? Talk about feeling her sexual freedom and celebrating it - damn. Are you familiar with the podcast Switched On Pop? They did an episode with guest musician Lizzo and the first 20ish minutes are on the musicality of Make Me Feel. Worth a listen if you’re into people nerd out on music. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/15 "2018-04-10T19:50:41Z")
[quote=“iiandyiiii, post:13, topic:809377”] Third video is out: [/QUOTE] Wow, now that's an aesthetic! ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/16 "2018-04-10T20:33:50Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Are you familiar with the podcast Switched On Pop? They did an episode with guest musician Lizzo and the first 20ish minutes are on the musicality of Make Me Feel. Worth a listen if you’re into people nerd out on music. Did you _read_ that post of mine you quoted? 😉 That podcast sounds great - I will check it out! See the thread on song-geek podcast Dissect, which blossomed into a discussion of various great examples: [https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=848917](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=848917) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/17 "2018-04-10T20:35:59Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Wow, now that’s an aesthetic! Maybe I’m crazy, but I almost felt like there was some sort of sexual subtext in that video somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/18 "2018-04-10T20:58:26Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > Wow, now that’s an aesthetic! My god, that’s hilarious. Hard to stop giggling, even with her fiercest look going. It’s no different that when I some obvious tribute to The Shaft - just giggles all around. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/19 "2018-04-10T21:00:57Z")
Janelle Monae is the best. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377/20 "2018-04-10T22:02:38Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Janelle Monae is the best. This is a factual statement. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-janelle-monae-fans-she-has-a-new-album-coming-soon-first-two-songs-released/809377.md?page=2)