Janelle Monae’s album "Dirty Computer" recently came out, and let me just say, it is magical. It’s groovy, melodic, and full of soft bops.
The songs all bring something new to the album, but they also go together really well to form a beautifully cohesive album.
“Dirty Computer” kicks off the album with somewhat haunting, mysterious beats alongside Janelle’s soft and calm voice. This song is the kind that would be in a TV show or movie in a shot with the main character lying on the floor of their messy bedroom as the camera spins from the ceiling towards their face.
“Crazy, Classic, Life”, and “Take a Byte” follow “Dirty Computer” bringing similar types of funk while still each bringing something different. They are the types of song to listen to in the car with the windows down on a summer day.
“Jane’s Dream” is a short, soft, haunting instrumental that is so quick you might miss it. But it blends into Screwed so beautifully, it is almost annoying.
“Django Jane” brings the swagger level from a six to an 11. It just sounds so cool. She sounds so powerful and sure of herself and it is really inspiring, honestly. She just sounds badass and I’m LIVING for it.
“Pynk” through “I Got The Juice” is the most fun I’ve had listening to an album in a while. “Pynk” sneaks up on you. It starts off a little slower and then it picks up and is so much fun.
It’s not like a getting low kind of fun but it is the tap your toe and bop your head type of fun. It is an anthem for girls but in a groovier and cooler way than I’ve ever seen a girl anthem done.
“Make Me Feel” keeps the groove going. Again, it is just a lot of fun. It makes you want to swing your hips around. “I Got The Juice” is, again, so much fun. Can you tell I had a lot of fun listening to this album? “I Got The Juice” makes you feel like you can do anything. Janelle is the ultimate hype girl.
“I Like That” brings the vibe down to a more chill level. It makes you feel empowered in a more lowkey way. “Don’t Judge Me” is a raw song that displays Janelle’s fears. It is very unfiltered and provides a chilled insight into her.
“Stevie’s Dream” is similar to “Jane’s Dream”. It is another semi-haunting, talking track that is so short you might miss it. “So Afraid” follows it up.
The album ends with “Americans”. “Americans” is an ANTHEM. It makes you feel like you are part of something. The beginning sounds like it could be sung in a church. It is a lot of fun (again, seeing a theme here?).
It makes you want to gather up all of the people in the general vicinity and dance your hearts out. It reminds me vaguely of Footloose for some reason, but I can’t really put my finger on why.
Overall, Dirty Computer is a beautifully crafted and thought out album that I could not have had more fun listening to. I listened to it like four times in a row today. Just when you think you have heard it all, you listen to it again and find something new. Dirty Computer is the gift that keeps on giving.
