Although Janelle Monae’s newest album Dirty Computer is a concept album, it’s the first of her released music not to be of the same concept.
Monae’s debut release was an extended play called Metropolis: Suite I (The Chase), and her two solo albums, The ArchAndroid and The Electric Lady, released in 2010 and 2013 respectively, continue the story of an android named Cindi Mayweather.
Dirty Computer is billed as an “emotion picture,” with a video accompanying the album’s 14 tracks. The first and title track features background vocals by Brian Wilson and Matt Jardine of The Beach Boys; “Screwed” features Zoe Kravitz; the third single, “Pynk,” features indie-pop artist Grimes; “Stevie’s Dream” features background vocals by Stevie Wonder, though uncredited; and “I Got the Juice” features Pharrell Williams’, in addition to Williams’ production credit on the track.
In a Rolling Stone cover story today, Monae came out as pansexual, meaning that she is attracted to people regardless of their gender. Pansexuality is considered a more inclusive branch of bisexuality, because it does not limit gender to the binary choices of male and female.
Monae will be touring with St. Beauty in support beginning in June, though there is no Philly or Jersey stop currently scheduled. She will be at Madison Square Garden on July 18. More tour dates can be found at jmonae.com.
Other albums in stores today we’re listening to:
Half Waif – Lavender
Van Morrison and Jay DeFrancesco – You’re Driving Me Crazy
Willie Nelson – Last Man Standing
Okkervil River – In the Rainbow Rain
Speedy Ortiz – Twerp Verse
Paul White – Rejuvenate
Header image courtesy of GQ.