‘Dirty Computer’ features ‘futuristic,’ upbeat vibes

Elinor Nelson Staff Writer

Janelle Monáe could pass as the female version of Bruno Mars—they have similar looks, sounds and style influenced by icons like Prince and James Brown. For years, Monáe’s sultry voice delivered classic funk, R&B and soul that old and new generations have grown to love, but with her new album, “Dirty Computer,” Monáe is reinventing herself. The singer released her third studio album on April 27.

“Dirty Computer” provides us with Monáe’s signature old school sound but with a futuristic twist. As a whole, it delivers upbeat anthems with powerful messages.

It is clear Monáe is making light of the current state of the country and even admitted to it in an interview. The singer told Vulture that the election of President Trump had her speed up the album process.

“The election is when I knew it had to be done. My activism, and my job, and my purpose as an artist is to figure out how I can celebrate those who are marginalized, and who are oppressed, and I just feel like that’s been my calling throughout all of my work,” Monáe said in the Vulture interview. “I think Dirty Computer just does it in a more near-future.”

Monáe isn’t shy about talking about sensitive subjects during interviews, so it shouldn’t be a surprise she made sure to talk about it in her music. The key themes heard in “Dirty Computer” were centered around racism, the Black Lives Matter movement, intersexual feminism, sexuality and women empowerment. She discussed in an interview with The Guardian how these themes played a role in her song “Make Me Feel.”

“It’s a celebratory song,” Monáe said in that interview. “I hope that comes across. That people feel more free, no matter where they are in their lives, that they feel celebrated. Because I’m about women’s empowerment. I’m about agency. I’m about being in control of your narrative and your body.”

The song “Screwed” also revolves around being a woman, with lyrics like “I live my life in a magazine/ I live my life on a TV screen/ I live my life on birth control/ I lost my mind to rock and roll.”

“Dirty Computer” is a beautiful, unique piece of art and it is no surprise that it has a 92 percent rating on Metacritic. It is currently available to buy and stream.