Ranking the Best Janelle Monae Albums

Last week, I crossed a big name off my concert bucket list when I FINALLY got to see my girl Janelle Monae live.

And unless it’s your first time here in Chez Soul In Stereo, you probably won’t be surprised by this statement:

Janelle Monae is one of the most important artists of the 2010s.

No, Janelle didn’t move Drake numbers, though she should have. No, she didn’t have countless fans worldwide bowing at her alter like Beyonce, nor did she have scores of women … doing whatever it is that causes them to adore Taylor Swift so much.

I still don’t get the fascination with that one.

But in a decade when Black music began to sacrifice its creativity for commercial appeal, Janelle dared to be different. Her albums were gateways to some of the most intriguing concepts we’ve ever heard on wax – essentially building her own sonic cinematic universe. When the production of her peers became formulaic and static, she refused to be boxed in, bouncing from acoustic folk to Prince-inspired pop to straight-up rap bars.

Every album was a new experience. When conformity became the currency of her peers, individuality became her calling card.

Although 2023 marks 20 years into her musical journey, many still only know Janelle through her successful run in Hollywood. That’s cool, but today we’re celebrating the music, looking back and ranking all her LPs, along with her debut EP and even her often-forgotten demo. (We’ll skip the The Eephus EP though, as that’s mainly a Wonderland compilation instead of a proper solo release)

Janelle taught a generation that you don’t have to be a clone to be a queen. That likely will always be her legacy.

6. The Age of Pleasure (2023)

Soul in Stereo rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

Read our review here

Edd said: Sigh, let’s go ahead and knock this one out. You likely won’t find a bigger Janelle fan on the planet than yours truly, but even before my Stan duties, I’m first and foremost the Internet’s one and only Unbiased Album Reviewer. Therefore, even I must admit that Jane’s latest project is by far her weakest. No, it’s not because she’s embracing her sexuality – for those of us who have been down since Day One, her journey to sexual freedom isn’t as sudden as the bloggers claim. That progression played out before our ears. And no, I don’t take issue with Janelle abandoning her usual heavy concepts for a more lighthearted vibe. She’s allowed to have fun like everyone else. Here’s my issue – Janelle has always been an artist who pushed boundaries, both creatively and sonically, but The Age of Pleasure plays things so safe that it blends into the pack instead of standing out. Judged on its own merits, it’s a decent release – there are a couple of standouts to be found. But the criminally short runtime and reliance on modern trends makes this less a cosmic experience and more a forgettable summer barbecue.

Forgotten favorites: “Know Better,” “Only Have Eyes 42,” “A Dry Red”

5. The Audition (2003)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: You gotta be a real one to remember this release. In fact, I didn’t discover this album until half a decade after its release. When her Metropolis EP caught my ear, I frantically dug around for any Janelle I could find – and that’s when I stumbled upon “Lettin’ Go,” and eventually this project. The Audition (also known as Metropolis: Point Zero in some circles) is officially labeled as a demo, and to that end it serves its purpose. Poppy club bangers, acoustic soul, R&B duets, classical offerings – it’s essentially a showcase of Janelle’s many talents. But the most impressive part is how this demo feels like a fully-formed album. It’s also cool to see the makings of what she’d become. For instance, “My Favorite Nothing” feels like a prototype “Tightrope.” Call it a demo if you want, but this is a prophecy of the greatness that was to come.

Forgotten favorites: “Lettin’ Go,” “My Favorite Nothing,” “Metropolis”

4. Metropolis: Suite 1 (The Chase) (2007)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4 stars out of 5

Edd said: We all need that dope friend in our lives who puts us on to hidden musical gems. In this case it was my longtime homie Desiree who shared Metropolis: Suite 1 with me around the time that my interest in R&B was beginning to wane. Janelle was a breath of fresh air, both sonically and creatively. This EP was the genesis of her Cindi Mayweather persona, and all the mind-warping Afro futurism that defined the early years of her career. The concepts were out of this world, but her soulful vocals and willingness to take risks over varied production made me an instant fan. The EP is barely 20 minutes long, but it packs an incredible punch. If it dropped today it would be a top 5 release of 2023 easily.

Forgotten favorites: “Sincerely, Jane,” “Smile,” “Many Moons”

3. Dirty Computer (2018)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Read our review here

Edd said: And now, we hit Janelle’s holy trinity. If you thought conversation about Janelle’s sexuality were a new thing, travel with us back to 2018 when Dirty Computer had everyone whispering. But we’re here for the music only and Janelle unloads all the tools in her box – from Prince-inspired pop to sultry R&B – to give Dirty Computer a fleshed-out, diverse sound. Never one to shy away from controversy, she honestly speaks her truths about society while delivering an audio experience that’s just downright fun. Though its legacy might not be as cemented in stone as the albums before it, memorable singles and cutting commentary make it an easy standout among 2010-era releases. While your fave is caught in the matrix, Janelle proves she’s the one.

Forgotten favorites: “Pynk,” “Screwed,” “Crazy, Classic, Life”

2. The Electric Lady (2013)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Read our review here

Edd said: That sophomore jinx can be a career killer. And to be fair, I didn’t think Janelle’s sophomore effort could reach the heights of her landmark debut. I was wrong. Janelle takes the listener on a journey through decades of music. ’70s Motown, ’80s funk, and ’90s R&B all get a futuristic spin, with lessons of self-love, acceptance and empowerment mixed in. It doesn’t try to be like anything else out there. It lives by the individuality it teaches – which is why Janelle is the most intriguing trendsetter of the past decade.

Forgotten favorites: “Dorothy Dandridge Eyes,” “It’s Code,” “Ghetto Woman”

1. The ArchAndroid (2010)

Soul in Stereo rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Read our review here

Edd said: Before she was starring in Oscar-winning films, Janelle Monae was just our quirky little secret – a woman with a stellar voice who dreamed of a fantasy land with robots n’ stuff. The ArchAndroid is a daring musical journey, using a fictional narrative to tell stories of love, acceptance and empowerment. You’ll often hear critics claim that an album “transcends genres” or “pushes boundaries.” Yeah, those are usually exaggerations. This album crushes, rebuilds, and redefines those very genres and boundaries. Though The ArchAndroid and The Electric Lady are nearly identical in terms of quality, it’s the risks taken here that give it a slight edge – risks that pay off every single time. In a world where anything with autotune slapped on it is described as “futuristic,” Janelle’s debut set the standard for afro-futurism.

Forgotten favorites: “Cold War,” “Oh Maker,” “Say You’ll Go”

Are you Team ArchAndroid or are you on the Electric Lady squad? Share your faves below.