In the fall of the record labels, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find someone who creates a fresh and inspiring mainstream sound. The person to push the sound of pop music is Janelle Monáe with her major label debut, The ArchAndroid.

The ArchAndroid is a concept album. A single story connects the album’s 18 tracks, creating a complete and rich musical narrative with perfect pacing so never feels like it dips. The songs are succinct and the album has no interludes or fillers just for the sake of it; each song is crafted to help progress the story. The genres on show come together so wonderfully, ranging from classical, ‘60s R&B and pop to James Brown inspired funk. Her hit single ‘Tightrope’, although fabulously crafted, doesn’t give an idea of what this piece of work is about. ‘Dance Or Die’ and ‘Faster’ will get your feet moving while the more relaxed tunes ‘Oh, Maker’ and ‘Neon Street Valley(MY JAM)’ slow things down without losing steam or its flare. For this to be her major label debut, she has achieved in one release what artists haven’t been able to accomplish their whole careers. Monáe simply deserves to be heard and appreciated. Creatively, pop superstars of today like Beyonce and Lady Gaga don’t hold a candle to what Monáe has done here. She’s bold, fierce, inspiring and so much more.

-HM

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