Album Review: The Age of Pleasure by Janelle Monáe

Janelle Monáe's fourth studio album is her most expressive album to date.

A multi-talented and cultural figure, Janelle Monáe Robinson is known for her versatility in music, writing, and acting. She has a reputation for championing Black feminism and pro-queer stances. Monáe hails from a working-class, devoutly Baptist family in Kansas City, Kansas, and began her music career in Atlanta alongside her close friends Nate Wonder and Chuck Lightning. Her unique vision led Diddy, known for being controlling, to pledge not to interfere with her ideas when he signed her to his label.​

Monáe's early albums created a fictional Afrofuturist dreamscape that allowed her to explore her life's traumas and possibilities. This approach to her music earned her eight Grammy nominations. Moreover, she has been involved in critically acclaimed films like Moonlight, Hidden Figures, and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, the first two of which were nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars in 2017, with Moonlight winning the award. Monáe publicly came out as pansexual in 2018 and as nonbinary (identifying as a freeazzmuthaf**ka, she/her, or they/them) last year, making her an essential figure for many in the queer community.

The Age of Pleasure marks a notable departure from her discography, which largely centers around high-concept, science fiction themes. Her first album since her 2018 album, Dirty Computer, that isn't explicitly about androids, The Age of Pleasure embraces Monáe's identity as a queer artist. Diverging from her unique genre-bending, Afro-futurist music brand, this album sees her stepping into more mainstream sounds while retaining her distinctive flare. Monaé blended various genres, including R&B, hip-hop, trap, reggae, and West African pop, by describing the fourth effort as a love letter to the African diaspora.

Pleasure starts with "Float," the first single that sounds better within the album’s context, a song that encapsulates the album's sonic atmosphere while setting the tone for its themes while spitting memorable bars like “I got that magic, I'm really prepared for whatever whenever so who want the smoke?” The song features Seun Kuti, the youngest son of Nigerian Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, and his band Egypt 80. The album's production, mainly overseen by Monáe's longtime collaborator Nate Wonder, maintains an airy vibe that allows the album to transition fluently between genres.

The album's production contributes to its unique sense of intimacy. Although it is thoroughly party music, The Age of Pleasure doesn't strive for grandeur. Instead, it's more suited for a small gathering of familiar faces. It also indulges in sensuality, reflecting Monáe's pansexual identity, with songs like Lipstick Lover vividly describing sensual experiences.

Musically, the album is divided into two halves: The first half is characterized by quick, jazz, and funk-inspired beats (mixed with trap and West African pop) that pair well with Monáe's rapping and triplet flow. The second half switches gears, showcasing Monáe's reggae influences, with Jamaican guitar sounds forming the backbone of songs. A standout track is “Only Have Eyes 42,” a reggae song with delicate strings that explores her experiences with polyamory.

The influence of Prince is apparent throughout the album, particularly in the track Phenomenal, guest starring TDE’s own Doechii, bringing her flare to the mix. Tracks like "Haute" reference other artistic influences, including David Bowie. Despite its captivating vibe, The Age of Pleasure can seem lacking in tension, making it difficult to form a deeper connection with the album. The album's straightforwardness can make it lose some impact after multiple listens. Some tracks in the album's latter half maintain the mood without adding much depth, but they work as they are.

The album’s two of the fourteen songs on The Age of Pleasure exceed three minutes, indicating a no-filler approach to the composition, transitioning from one piece to the next like a DJ set. The album features a series of queer and gender-expansive anthems, reflecting Monáe's life as a proud and unabashed individual. In a time when certain states are considering legislation that could limit queer and trans freedoms, Monáe's album takes on added significance.

Monáe might have earned the right to create a fun album after her previous three dense works filled with complex narratives but still maintains the true essence of what she is as an artist, which can be enjoyed sporadically.

Solid (★★★½☆)

Favorite Track(s): Champagne Shit / Phenomenal / Only Have Eyes 42