Dirty Computer by Janelle Monae
I hope that all of our readers out there are staying healthy and safe during this very strange and confusing time. The days may look bleak but know that it will get better. But anyway on to the purpose of this article. Here is the May album review of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe. Dirty Computer was written in 2018.
As a first-time listener of Janelle Monáe, I will admit that I am impressed with what I heard. Ms. Monáe uses instruments, beats and music genres that some people would think don't go well together but when you listen carefully they go together as well as peanut butter and jelly. The album is a mix of pop, rock and jazz tones
This album complete with 14 songs showcases to me that Ms, Monáe has a strong sense of confidence in who she is as an artist and as an individual. In my opinion, Ms. Monáe has an enticing voice and that coupled with hard-hitting emotional lyrics makes for a very enjoyable album.
Even though you tell me you love me
I'm afraid that you just love my disguise
Taste my fears and light your candle to my raging fire
Of broken desire"
- Janelle Monae, "Don't Judge Me"
A lot of the songs on this album have a consistently slow and jazzy beat throughout. In my opinion, all the songs are good for a listen but I particularly enjoyed Dirty Computer, Don't Judge Me and Americans. Americans is a politically full song but had some very strong and powerful lyrics. Such as in the Chorus when she is asking to be loved for who she is while claiming that she will defend her land because no she is not crazy but American which is followed by a Bridge that is spoken as well as an Outro;
"Let me help you in here. Until women can get equal pay for equal work. This is not my America. Until the same-gender loving people can be who they are. This is not my America. Until black people can come home from a police stop without being shot in the head. This is not my America, huh! Until poor whites can get a shot at being successful. This is not my America. I can't hear nobody talkin' to me,
Until Latinos and Latinas don't have to run from walls. This is not my America. But I tell you today that the devil is a liar. Because it's gon' be my America before it's all over. Please sign your name on the dotted line
Ms. Monáe is American however she will not overtly claim it until there is equality and fairness for all of humanity without judgement, sexism, and racism. Overall I would give this album an 8.5/10.