Though her album ArchAndroid (Suites II and III) only reached the modest position of #17 in the US chart last year (hitting #51 in the UK), recently Janelle Monáe has enjoyed something of an upswing in popularity (and units sold). She’s been touring constantly since the album came out, and recently destroyed an audience of thousands at Glastonbury festival with her wonderfully surreal, tight-knit live show.
After her Glastonbury performance, sales of ArchAndroid (Suites II and III) rocketed by a huge 4928%. It was the biggest album sales jump of any artist who performed at the festival. Opening her set with her back to the audience, and wearing a big black cloak and rapping the intro to ‘Dance or Die’, she ripped through a funky and very fun show, including choreographed dance pieces with her backing singers, her dancers, and her entire, 14-strong backing band!
Though she didn’t engage in much chit-chat with the crowd, the show was impeccable and certainly left an impression on the thousands of music lovers who started following Janelle on Twitter just after the performance. Well rehearsed and put together – down to the smallest details – the tiny Kansas singer with the huge voice was one of the highlights of this year’s festival. It’s tough to pick a particular song as a favourite, but the introductory medley of Dance or Die, Faster and Locked Inside is just divine. Listen to it and try not to tap those feet. It’s impossible!
Janelle Monáe has been a well received by global music press elites such as Rolling Stone and is now poised to take on radio with her new single ‘Cold War’; a veritable genre’ bending pop machine. The tune wanders comfortably between pop, electro, rock and back again without ever disorientating the listener. Pitchork TV recently premiered the video above on Friday, and today named the song, best new track – quite an accolade from the notoriously hard to please site.
This one’s for real, a top tune from a fresh and exciting artist. The singer will embark on a clutch of US dates later this year, supporting the likes of Maroon 5, Kings Of Leon and Of Montreal. The track – taken from the album ’The ArchAndroid’ is currently available on iTunes,
Since we listened Janelle Monáe’s debut EP ‘Metropolis’, we were instantly convinced of being in the presence of a future star. From her impeccable quiff and tuxedo looks to the ongoing sci-fi story of an android alter-ego, Cindi Mayweather, set in the year 2719 and told through her songs; everything about her distilled taste and unique personality.
‘Metropolis’ was conceived as the first of four suites, the second and third of them arrive now with the artist’s proper full length ‘The ArchAndroid’. A truly contender for most original album of the year, Janelle showcases a healthy attitude defying the conventions of today’s rather formulaic R&B by incorporating elements of a wide range of styles that shape up a soulful sonic kaleidoscope.
‘The ArchAndroid’ features collaborations with soul poet Saul Williams; arty psychedelic masters Of Montreal -already one of the most celebrated duets of the moment across the blogosphere- and Outkast’s Big Boi, who drops some verses in the first single ‘Tightrope’. The full album can be streamed this week at the artist MySpace page.
