Janelle Monáe – Dirty Computer (2xLP)

Dirty Computer, released in 2018, marks Janelle Monáe’s third studio album and a bold statement of pop, funk, R&B, and futurist politics. It departs from her earlier sci-fi alter-ego narratives and instead probes themes of identity, control, sexuality, and self-liberation. Produced with collaborators including Nate Wonder, Chuck Lightning, Jon Brion, and others, the album embraces lush synths, propulsive rhythms, and interludes that link its conceptual arcs. The experience is cinematic—its companion “emotion picture” visualizes a dystopian world where marginalized individuals struggle to reclaim autonomy. Within Monáe’s catalog, Dirty Computer stands as a crystallizing moment: deeply personal and overtly political without sacrificing pop accessibility. Songs like “Make Me Feel,” “Pynk,” “Screwed,” and “Django Jane” balance intimacy, defiance, and empowerment, weaving the personal and political with confidence. The album’s willingness to foreground queerness, Black womanhood, and resistance has solidified its importance as a modern classic—one that resonates both musically and culturally.

Reviews

“In shedding her science-fiction persona, Janelle Monáe has ended up making a great pop album.” – Slant Magazine

“They find a rich mid-ground between politics and pop, never shying away from important messages … over ebullient synths and funk.” – The Quietus