The Age of Pleasure
Janelle Monáe · 2023
32 min · 14 tracks · funk
A vibrant celebration of self-love and liberation, blending funk, soul, and alternative hip-hop with irresistible grooves.
Top tracks — play these first
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Lipstick Lover — This track stands out for its sultry groove and bold exploration of romantic desire, encapsulating the album's themes of self-expression and pleasure.
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Float Start here — Opening the album, this song sets an uplifting tone with its infectious beat and message of liberation, inviting listeners into Monáe's world of joy.
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Phenomenal — With its empowering lyrics and catchy rhythm, this track exemplifies Monáe's ability to blend funk influences with contemporary pop sensibilities while affirming self-worth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends vibrant grooves with thoughtful themes, showcasing strong writing and production.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a celebratory tone, maintaining an upbeat tempo through the first half.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response sections, enhancing the communal feel of the music.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective mood that contrasts with the earlier exuberance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of vibrant energy
- celebratory anthems for self-love
- playful grooves for social settings
- quick, infectious dance moments
Maybe skip if you
- long-form immersive experiences
- slow-paced reflective listening
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Continues to explore themes of self-love and liberation after a five-year hiatus.
- Themes
- intimate self-expression· celebration of liberation· vibrant sensuality
- Career context
- Released on June 9, 2023, 'The Age of Pleasure' is Janelle Monáe's first studio album after a five-year hiatus since 'Dirty Computer' in 2018. This album marks a new chapter in her career where she emphasizes themes of intimacy and joy, showcasing her evolution as an artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anderson .Paak· Erykah Badu· Prince
Tracklist
- 1 Float Start here 4:02
- 2 Champagne Shit 2:23
- 3 Black Sugar Beach 1:05
- 4 Phenomenal 3:37
- 5 Haute 1:36
- 6 Ooh La La 0:35
- 7 Lipstick Lover 2:49
- 8 The Rush 2:43
- 9 The French 75 1:09
- 10 Water Slide 2:44
- 11 Know Better 2:49
- 12 Paid in Pleasure 1:46
- 13 Only Have Eyes 42 2:50
- 14 A Dry Red 1:51
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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