Janelle Monae // Dirty Computer

Janelle Monae

Dirty Computer

Bad Boy Records
3.75/5 Stars

Cyborg songstress Janelle Monae again plays up her human-machine dichotomy on Dirty Computer, following stints as the ArchAndroid (2010) and Electric Lady (2013). Monae and her cadre of producers have programmed a successful emulation of her predecessors, most notably Prince, whose classic output provides the script for much of the material here, both musically and thematically. "Screwed" echoes the nihilistic sentiments of "1999," rallying listeners to let loose with abandon in a world that has abandoned human interests. The playfully sexy "Make Me Feel" is the Prince song Robin Thicke wishes he wrote, featuring an irresistible groove and the funkiest rhythm guitar breakdown this side of "Kiss." Monae's assertive android alter-ego commands most of Dirty Computer, resulting in an album that boasts a lot of shimmering synth-funk gleam, but lacks some of the mystery and atmosphere that made the alternate dimension sci-fi spy soundtrack Electric Lady so captivating. The lush, orchestrated ballad "Don't Judge Me" comes closest, as Monae admits to human doubts and vulnerabilities. After all, we all have a little dirt on our circuitboards. — Matt Swanseger