Albums Janelle Monáe - Dirty Computer (Discussion Thread)

[SouthSac916]

Lol. You’d probably really enjoy the film too, if you haven’t seen it. She’s beautiful.

I plan to buy the hard copy, listen and give to a female relative

 

[brownsugah]

I woke up with all of the songs playing in my head.

I pre-ordered on iTunes some months ago, and have it on my phone. And I plan on getting the physical copy today.

Hopefully she announces a vinyl release soon as well. *fingers crossed*

 

[Guvnor]

Yeah, definitely watch the film and lemme know if you feel the same way about the album. In my opinion, it really brought the songs out even more, and Janelle told her story the way she wanted to. The cinematography is great as well, and was well executed like the music on the album.

I respect your opinion about EL, but I disagree. I think DC a bit more consistent from start to finish than EL. EL is a great album, and probably the most "urban" sounding album in her discography..BUT I think the album would've been better if it were trimmed down. I would take "Can't Live Without Your Love" (my favorite song on EL and one of my favorite songs from her) over anything on Dirty Computer, but an album doesn't consist of just one song.. so as a whole, I prefer the flow of DC over EL. I would rate her discography as.. The ArchAndroid, Dirty Computer, and then Electric Lady.

We're going to have to agree to disagree about the quality of this record, because I really think it's amazing. I think Janelle has done it again and it further shows how she's one of the most consistent artists of this generation.

I am actually surprised that there are a few people on here that are actually feeling the album, I was expecting the be by myself. lol.

You're right, the movie makes the album come alive more for sure. She did a great job acting in it and the music sounds better in the context of the film which was a cool film though I had to skip through the Crazy, Classic, Life video cause it got too gay in that video, smh. With that said I find the album to be solid now but nothing too good or great like her prior works were. Another thing is I may not be a fan of the sound she went for which was a lot more pop then her previous works as well. It's cool but it's just not my thing and so I don't see myself revisiting it personally.

I also feel the exact opposite about Electric Lady then you do, I feel it is very cohesive and especially more cohesive then dirty computer the way how some tracks even transition smooth from one to the next effortlessly but to each there own.

Also Viacom played her by not putting the Dirty Computer film on at a good time. They put it on BET at 12 midnight on a Thursday night and 8 am the next day on MTV...WTF!

Where did you hear jidenna wrote it?

Isn't it obvious. Wiki doesn't have his name in the credits and Tidal doesn't have the writing credits at all for that song

However the producer of Jidenna's classic man and his album who goes by the name Nana Kwabena also produced this song so maybe his direction is part of why the song sounds like that. I speak particularly on her flow and delivery of the lyrics which sounds similar to something jidenna would do.





With that said I'm not tripping about it because she did discover him and give him an opportunity. I heard he was a history teacher in Brooklyn before this so if he wrote it then it's cool.

 

[mr x]

Isn't it obvious.

Nah.

I thought you heard something about it.

 

[brownsugah]

You're right, the movie makes the album come alive more for sure. She did a great job acting in it and the music sounds better in the context of the film which was a cool film though I had to skip through the Crazy, Classic, Life video cause it got too gay in that video, smh. With that said I find the album to be solid now but nothing too good or great like her prior works were. Another thing is I may not be a fan of the sound she went for which was a lot more pop then her previous works as well. It's cool but it's just not my thing and so I don't see myself revisiting it personally.

I also feel the exact opposite about Electric Lady then you do, I feel it is very cohesive and especially more cohesive then dirty computer the way how some tracks even transition smooth from one to the next effortlessly but to each there own.

Also Viacom played her by not putting the Dirty Computer film on at a good time. They put it on BET at 12 midnight on a Thursday night and 8 am the next day on MTV...WTF!

After sleeping on it some, I actually think DC could be up there with The AA as her magnum opus. With a few more listens, it’s sounding better and better and it’s coming together even more. I love EL, but I feel like DC is a better album experience. Once again, we are going to have to agree to disagree about which one is better but I feel really strongly about this album in comparison to the others. The AA is still #1 for me, but I wouldn’t be mad at people saying DC was better than it. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of her albums tbh. The Electric Lady is also great in its own right. :D

It’s dope you enjoyed the film and that it made you change your mind about the album a bit. I respect your opinion and the reasoning behind it too.

I agree with you about the time slot of the DC emotion picture premiere. I feel like it should’ve aired like Friday night or during prime time hours where it’s not too late and people don’t have to work the next day. It would allowed more people to view it too. Btw, the version they aired on TV was shorter than the version she uploaded to YouTube.

 

[Guvnor]

After sleeping on it some, I actually think DC could be up there with The AA as her magnum opus. With a few more listens, it’s sounding better and better and it’s coming together even more. I love EL, but I feel like DC is a better album experience. Once again, we are going to have to agree to disagree about which one is better but I feel really strongly about this album in comparison to the others. The AA is still #1 for me, but I wouldn’t be mad at people saying DC was better than it. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of her albums tbh. The Electric Lady is also great in its own right. :D

WHAT! What am I reading here lol. I have no comment for this, what you said was blasphemy. Just straight blasphemy.

I would say none of her albums are trash and leave it at that. There is no Say You'll Go on this one, not even a Neon Valley Street but if that's how you feel then cool. I don't see it though.

It’s dope you enjoyed the film and that it made you change your mind about the album a bit. I respect your opinion and the reasoning behind it too.

I agree with you about the time slot of the DC emotion picture premiere. I feel like it should’ve aired like Friday night or during prime time hours where it’s not too late and people don’t have to work the next day. It would allowed more people to view it too. Btw, the version they aired on TV was shorter than the version she uploaded to YouTube.

Thank you, it's just not my thing but it's not as bad as I thought it was and it's not mediocre like I said it was before. It's solid but not my type of music.

Also yeah them airing it when they did was setting her up for failure with it imo but it's still cool she got it on tv.

 

[Guvnor]

Nah.

I thought you heard something about it.

Okay then maybe I'm reaching but it seemed like in the least his influence was on that track to me.

 

[brownsugah]

WHAT! What am I reading here lol. I have no comment for this, what you said was blasphemy. Just straight blasphemy.

I would say none of her albums are trash and leave it at that. There is no Say You'll Go on this one, not even a Neon Valley Street but if that's how you feel then cool. I don't see it though.


Thank you, it's just not my thing but it's not as bad as I thought it was and it's not mediocre like I said it was before. It's solid but not my type of music.

Also yeah them airing it when they did was setting her up for failure with it imo but it's still cool she got it on tv.

I’m actually not the only person who feels that way tbh. And if you really know her music, it shouldn’t be a surprise. But ok at you calling it blasphemous. Once again I’m not surprised as you feeling that way. But it’s my opinion. *shrug*

I feel like this album has no misses from start to finish and is well executed album in the same vein as The ArchAndroid (minus “Make The Bus”). But different stroke for different folks. Once again, All 3 albums are amazing. You can’t go wrong with any of them.

 

[Guvnor]

I’m actually not the only person who feels that way tbh. And if you really know her music, it shouldn’t be a surprise. But ok at you calling it blasphemous. Once again I’m not surprised as you feeling that way. But it’s my opinion. *shrug*

I feel like this album has no misses from start to finish and is well executed album in the same vein as The ArchAndroid (minus “Make The Bus”). But different stroke for different folks. Once again, All 3 albums are amazing. You can’t go wrong with any of them.

So you're doubling down here? Yeah that's you're opinion lol. Different strokes for different folks indeed but you must be on that...

The Archandroid is one of the greatest albums of this decade to me, like that's how highly I rank that album from it's production which blends so many genres together very well, to it's lyrics, to it's story. Dirty Computer is no where near close to it imo though everyone is entitled their own it just seems absurd to me.

 

[brownsugah]

So you're doubling down here? Yeah that's you're opinion lol. Different strokes for different folks indeed but you must be on that...

The Archandroid is one of the greatest albums of this decade to me, like that's how highly I rank that album from it's production which blends so many genres together very well, to it's lyrics, to it's story. Dirty Computer is no where near close to it imo though everyone is entitled their own it just seems absurd to me.

I’m doubling down? Get outta here! Lol. You were hating on the album before even giving it a chance. And then you went from calling it “mediocre” to watching the film and calling it “solid” afterwards. So who’s really doubling down? And yes my opinion is my opinion, and that won’t change. Your opinion is your opinion too, and I’m not coming down on you for it.

And once again, I respect your opinion, even if I don’t agree. Dirty Computer is an amazing album in its own right just like The ArchAndroid (and The Electric Lady). So I don’t think it’s “blasphemous” or “absurd” at all to think DC may be up there with The AA as her magnum opus. I actually think all 3 albums are some of the best of the decade.

Also, I don’t think it’s really that deep as you’re making it tbh. *shrug again*

 

[brownsugah]

I’m inspired to curate a Spotify playlist of songs that influenced the sound of Dirty Computer.

 

[Guvnor]

I’m doubling down? Get outta here! Lol. You were hating on the album before even giving it a chance. And then you went from calling it “mediocre” to watching the film and calling it “solid” afterwards. So who’s really doubling down? And yes my opinion is my opinion, and that won’t change. Your opinion is your opinion too, and I’m not coming down on you for it.

And once again, I respect your opinion, even if I don’t agree. Dirty Computer is an amazing album in its own right just like The ArchAndroid (and The Electric Lady). So I don’t think it’s “blasphemous” or “absurd” at all. I actually think all 3 albums are some of the best of the decade.

Also, I don’t think it’s really that deep as you’re making it tbh. *shrug again*

Well I wouldn't say hating, that's inaccurate. I was more so assuming I wouldn't like the album and made a prediction that's all.

Also a real man can admit when he is wrong or keep it real when his opinion changes so I was just keeping it real. It really is a solid record after all.

Though I just can't agree the Arch Android is on the same level as dirty computer. I mean this is the Arch Android, might as well be the Arch of the covenant we are talking about here as far as Janelle's albums are concerned and to me it's an album that's untouchable. I also noticed how you put the Electric Lady in parenthesis trying to be sneaky and acting like it can't stand on it's own but I'm gonna ignore that lol. We will agree to disagree because I respect your opinion but just can't understand it. I'm not making it too deep but we are just having a discussion, that's all.

 

[Cynic]

Album is solid but after going through a Janet marathon.

It's looking a little light ....

I need to re-listen to it and watch the video ...

 

[brownsugah]

Well I wouldn't say hating, that's inaccurate. I was more so assuming I wouldn't like the album and made a prediction that's all.

Also a real man can admit when he is wrong or keep it real when his opinion changes so I was just keeping it real. It really is a solid record after all.

Though I just can't agree the Arch Android is on the same level as dirty computer. I mean this is the Arch Android, might as well be the Arch of the covenant we are talking about here as far as Janelle's albums are concerned and to me it's an album that's untouchable. I also noticed how you put the Electric Lady in parenthesis trying to be sneaky and acting like it can't stand on it's own but I'm gonna ignore that lol. We will agree to disagree because I respect your opinion but just can't understand it. I'm not making it too deep but we are just having a discussion, that's all.

Because we were talking about DC and The AA. And I didn’t mean anything about putting EL in parenthesis. EL is a great album in its own right (I’ve said this so many times in my posts that I’m losing count lol) and can stand on it’s own but I think it’s the weakest link of the 3. You don’t have to agree with that, but it’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it. Whether you like it or not. Don’t put words in my mouth. Also, it did come across as you hating on the album before even giving it a chance. Lol. But a real man isn’t going to judge music before giving his opinion neither.

The ArchAndroid is one of my personal favorite albums too, but I can see DC being up there too after it’s all said and done. Janelle really put her best effort in this project imo. And the film takes things to another level. I just think this whole era is perfect and it feels really good to stand by good music and talent in Janelle when people doubted her. I knew she wasn’t going to let us down, and I was right.

You can’t understand my opinion because it’s not in line with yours and you want me to feel the same way...and this is why our discussion has carried on for 2 pages Lol. Honestly, I’m not that offended because Iike I said Janelle hasn’t done wrong musically and all 3 albums are great. *shrug*

With that said, I wish The ArchAndroid had an accompanying film to go along with it, but I’m sure Janelle did not have the budget at the time that she does now.

 

[Guvnor]

Because we were talking about DC and The AA. And I didn’t mean anything about putting EL in parenthesis. EL is a great album in its own right (I’ve said this so many times in my posts that I’m losing count lol) and can stand on it’s own but I think it’s the weakest link of the 3. You don’t have to agree with that, but it’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.

Oh okay thought you was trying to be sneaky because you think it's the weakest link but if you say so I'll take your word for it.

Whether you like it or not. Don’t put words in my mouth. Also, it did come across as you hating on the album before even giving it a chance. Lol. But a real man isn’t going to judge music before giving his opinion neither.

Again, I never judged the album definitively but I expected a let down and based off the singles I wasn't expecting much except for the I Like That song. You're actually trying to put words in my mouth but I'm gonna call you out on it and I won't let you lol. Everyone has their expectations when it comes to music whether high or low so I was just sharing that.

The ArchAndroid is one of my personal favorite albums too, but I can see DC being up there too after it’s all said and done. Janelle really put her best effort in this project imo. And the film takes things to another level. I just think this whole era is perfect and it feels really good to stand by good music and talent in Janelle when people doubted her. I knew she wasn’t going to let us down, and I was right.

No comment, you know how I feel. I feel Archandroid was her best effort and is a classic. We'll agree to disagree cause we will get no where with this one.

You can’t understand my opinion because it’s not in line with yours and you want me to feel the same way...and this is why our discussion has carried on for 2 pages Lol. Honestly, I’m not that offended because Iike I said Janelle hasn’t done wrong musically and all 3 albums are great. *shrug*

No, I'm being honest. I'm really trying to see things from your perspective and see how you can hold this album up so highly but I guess everyone will not always see things the same way so I'm gonna leave it alone lol. I mean like I said the story on Arch Android, the rich instrumentation and I could go on and on makes it better to me. Maybe you really like pop music or the sound on DC and can appreciate it in ways I simply can't. It's like looking at a picture and me and you seeing two completely different things here.

With that said, I wish The ArchAndroid had an accompanying film to go along with it, but I’m sure Janelle did not have the budget at the time that she does now.

I agree with you there, that would have been out of this world for real. That would have been so dope.