Friday I'm In Love is a weekly feature.
Highlights of what I loved over the past week.
Week = Friday to Friday.
May include things of a non-musical variety.
Showing posts with label Janelle Monáe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Janelle Monáe. Show all posts
Friday, September 13, 2013
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Janelle Monáe - Q.U.E.E.N. (Feat. Erykah Badu)
I wasn't sure what to make of "Q.U.E.E.N." when it came out a few weeks ago. The single landed outside of Janelle Monáe's usual ArchAndroid concept that she'd been using quite literally for several years now. I think a part of me wanted the grand announcement of "Suite IV", simply because I loved her past two albums so much. It wasn't until I watched the music video for "Q.U.E.E.N." that I really started to get into the song. Everything about it, from Erykah Badu to the black and white art direction, is amazing. Check out the stellar "Q.U.E.E.N." with Erykah Badu below...
Janelle Monáe's upcoming album, The Electric Lady, is scheduled for later this year. In the meantime, "Q.U.E.E.N." is currently available to download.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
My Favorite Albums Of 2010: Part Two
After Alex Ebert's massively successful year with Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes, the singer decided to return to his former dance-punk band, Ima Robot. The band's third album, Another Man's Treasure, strays from their distinct and distorted high energy sound. Instead, the album sounds like the halfway point between Ima Robot and Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes. There are long stretches of instrumentals within the album, giving the band a more fleshed out sound. At times, you may think you're listening to a Bowie album. Another Man's Treasure somehow sounds fresh and classic at the same time.
During the climax of "I Want To Be Well", Sufjan Stevens shouts "I'm not ****ing around". He wasn't joking. The Age Of Adz is a jumble of genres and noises that concludes with a massive 25 minute track. It is in no way a casual album. Through the mix of symphonic instrumentations and electronic bleeps, Sufjan's conceptual album leaves a lasting impression. The final track, "Impossible Soul", attracts many listeners for its long duration, but in reality the track sounds like a handful of separate singles carefully sewn together. It's a fascinating way to end the album. The Age Of Adz is a modern electro-folk adventure.
The cover artwork on Night Work may have you wondering, "What were they thinking?". After hearing the album, you'll know exactly what the Scissor Sisters were thinking. Night Work sounds like a disco revival, but in a good way. Every track on the record could fill the dance floor immediately. While the lyrics are so obviously sexual that it's funny, the band manages to keep the party going. The album ends with "Invisible Light", complete with a "Thriller-esque" voiceover by Sir Ian McKellen. Night Work is easily one of my most loved pop albums of 2010.
The previous nine albums on this list have been in no particular order, but what fun is a "Best Of" list if I don't name the absolute best? The next three albums on the list have managed to entertain me throughout the year and still continue to shine. I present to you... my three favorite records of 2010.
It's impossible to define The ArchAndroid within one genre. The debut album from Janelle Monáe touches on classical, folk, R&B, pop, funk, and countless other genres. As you follow the journey of the android creation, Cindi Mayweather, you learn that Monáe's style is unlike any other. The record is separated into two suites. Each half of the album starts with a cinematic introduction. The radio friendly singles "Cold War" and "Tightrope" only show one side the singer's style. The epic "BaBopBye Ya" ends the album with a bang and leaves you wanting more. I'm eagerly awaiting the next part of Janelle Monáe's Metropolis story, but until then, The ArchAndroid is my third favorite album of 2010.
2010 was Robyn's year. She released three albums as the Body Talk series and became one of the leading pop artists for both indie and mainstream critics alike. Body Talk collects the best of her three part series, all in one record. The album is packed with, what should have been, 15 hit singles. It's electronic, it's dance, but most of all, it's pop music. As my favorite pop album of the year, Body Talk never gets boring. From the spunky "Fembot" to the robotic "We Dance To The Beat", Robyn rose above the ranks of Katy Perry and Ke$ha with her fun and sophisticated Body Talk. I predict that we'll continue to hear Robyn's distinct sound through the new year.
This album was released all the way back in January. I haven't stopped listening to it on a daily basis since then. Vampire Weekend have a signature sound so unique that they're instantly recognizable. Contra manages to surpass the band's outstanding self-titled 2008 debut. Since that debut album, the band expanded their musical horizons into various new genres. They even do the unthinkable by slathering "California English" in a puddle of auto-tune. What starts as an airy yet bouncy record, Contra closes on a sporadic pair of tracks with "Diplomat's Son" and "I Think Ur A Contra". Contra set the bar unbelievably high for every album this year and still holds the number one spot in my book.
What were your favorite albums of 2010? Leave a comment and let me know!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Remixes You Should Hear: Part One
The "Wondamix" of "Cold War" actually serves the opposite purpose of most remixes. Instead of adding more to the song, the Wondamix strips away many pieces of the original. The beat is slowed down significantly and the guitar solo is now almost classical. I love how the mood of the song has completely changed. It gives an entire new face to "Cold War".
I usually stay away from overly extended remixes, but the Short Club mix of Florence's hit single is a nice rendition of the original melodic track. I like that the remix still used the acoustic instruments of the original song, but also incorporated heavy club elements. The song starts with an acoustic guitar, but soon a dance beat comes in. The vocal track is very prominent in the remix. One of the biggest mistakes a DJ or producer can make is stripping away the vocals to a point of no return. The original tack needs to be recognizable, and in this remix it is.
Unlike the two previous artists, Kimbra hasn't released her debut album yet. With the little material she has out, remixes are always welcome. The Penguin Prison Remix adds a dance beat to the quirky song. I love the beat after the bridge. It matches perfectly with Kimbra's "Hey, oh oh!". The remix doesn't stray from the original format of the song, so it isn't terribly foreign to listeners of the non-remixed version. This remix proves that her voice also sounds good over a more dance/electronic style of music.
Check back soon for part two of the remix series. The next group includes mixes of songs by Lady Gaga, La Roux, and more.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Video: Janelle Monáe - Cold War
Sometimes, simplicity is the best option. Janelle Monáe's new video for "Cold War", off of her album The ArchAndroid, is as simple as you can get. The video shows a close up of Monáe as she sings the lyrics to the single. Behind her is a completely black background with zero props. The video was shot in one take and let's the viewer see Janelle at a vulnerable position. She loses her composure half way through the song as she sings the lyrics, "I was made to believe there's something wrong with me / And it hurts my heart". It's very raw and emotional. "Cold War" is Sinéad O'Connor's "Nothing Compares 2 U" for the modern day.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Janelle Monáe - The ArchAndroid
The ArchAndroid starts with "Suite II Overture". The orchestrated instrumental is the introduction to the second part of Cindi's story. This track proves that the listener is in for more than just every average record. The orchestration sounds as if you're watching the opening credit's of a sci-fi film. From here, the music runs directly into "Dance Or Die". This track features Saul Williams. Monáe's rapid lyrics push the album off to a fast start. Most of the tracks run directly into each other, with little or no breaks. The highlight of Suite II is definitely "Come Alive (The War Of The Roses)". The song is not only incredibly original, but Monáe's vocals are outstanding. "Mushrooms & Roses", a mellow psychedelic number, closes the second suite.
The third suite starts with another introduction. "Suite III Overture" focuses heavily on the piano, strings, horns, and a choral section. The suite separates the two halves of the record and really gives the audience a breather. Unlike Suite II, the third suite starts slower with the smooth "Neon Valley Street". The highlight of Suite III is the album's closing track, "BaBopBye Ya". At over eight minutes long, it wraps up the suite and leaves you waiting for Monáe's final chapter of the Cindi Mayweather story.
Because of it's epic nature, The ArchAndroid should be experienced form beginning to end, in one sitting. Otherwise, you won't get the entire emotional impact of the package. The record can't be defined into one genre label. It has a little of everything, from rock and R&B, to jazz and classical. Monáe's album is due out on May 18. I would definitely check it out. This debut album is one of a kind. Janelle Monáe is something you don't see often nowadays, a true artist and storyteller.
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