The Age of Pleasure is celebratory, fun and breezy and rightfully so. The severe lack of grandiose detail, theatrics, and complexity that typically comes with a Janelle Monáe record makes this unfortunately not as worthwhile as her previous high concept artful albums.
Ever since she came onto the scene, Janelle Monáe has found a way to be memorable. Whether it's her acting, fashionable presence, or more notably her album discography that has become iconic at this point. The ArchAndroid, Electric Lady, and Dirty Computer albums all are complex, dynamic, theatrical, detailed, and above all are fun to listen to. All three have been water tight featuring songs and styles that venture further past the R&B label that Janelle is typically tagged as. There's also elements of rock, folk, pop, hip hop, experimental Afro-futuristic music that sounds like it's coming from another planet in the distant future.
It's been quite a bit since we've last heard from her musically. We last heard her in a full length setting back in 2018 with the grand and immense Dirty Computer, which may as well be her biggest pop crossover yet. She's returned with some singles here and there, but nothing extremely bold or exciting to me. Now she's finally returned with a new album titled The Age of Pleasure. In many, many ways, this is her most unique project yet in her career. First off, it's by far her shortest at a mere 32 minutes in length. There are notable themes and messages on The Age of Pleasure such as body positivity, self love, acceptance of who you are, and a true celebration of pleasure and joy, which should come as no surprise to a Janelle Monáe fan. What comes as a huge surprise to me is the severe lack of grandiose detail, theatrics, and complexity that typically comes with a Janelle record. There's a change of pace where now we have a record that is simple, easygoing and unabashedly straightforward in its approach. In some ways I'm disappointed in the lack of complexity and layers but in other ways I find it refreshing to listen to a Janelle record that is this easily approachable. There is also an undoubtedly seamless flow in between songs and numerous bits that sound like sketches of songs. I love the seamlessness of this record but I do wish some of these bits were fleshed out more. This album is overall enjoyable and all around fun like a Janelle record should be but it feels a bit incomplete and half baked in presentation... especially in comparison to her other records.
But are the songs good? For the most part they really are and that's the true saving grace with The Age of Pleasure. The lead single "Float" is still a refreshingly boastful, explosive and unabashed gem that features swagger and an all around great performance from Janelle that goes unmatched. There's a much more embracement of reggae and dub this time around and "Champagne Shit," "Water Slide," "Lipstick Lover" prove that she can still make some refreshing takes on retro funk and soul. Other highlights for me include "The Rush," "Phenomenal," and "Only Have Eyes 42" which are the nice cool downs within the record. Like I mentioned earlier, what keeps me from loving The Age of Pleasure like I do her other records really have to do with the presentation and quality of the album. The album is way too short for me and so many of these "songs" on the record aren't finished enough to be super memorable. This is not the typical high concept, artful album that we've come to expect from Janelle and it shows. This is definitely a fun, breezy listen and I won't take that away by any means. It's perfect for the background at a party for sure. But when you're giving your full attention to the album, there's definitely something that is missing. The Age of Pleasure is celebratory and rightfully so, but I just wish it was more worthwhile.
My Rating: 6 / 10
Favorite Songs: "Float," "The Rush," Champagne Shit," "Phenomenal"
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