Jake Bustamante Journal 7

Monae’s album Metropolis is trying to construct an opera-like narrative in which a story unfolds as we listen onward. The first song, “March of the Wolfmasters”, set the stage for us as we learn that an android named Cindy Mayweather has committed one of the worst crimes; falling in love with a human. As a result, she must be hunted, disassembled, and have her “cyber-soul” turned over to the government. I believe the purpose of this narrative is to show a different take on a scenario we have all heard before in other kinds of stories. The futuristic city aspect gives a refreshing blend of sounds, especially in the track “Violet Stars Happy Hunting!” in which a grooving beat and bass line are the backbone of Monae’s impressive vocals as she howls about being hunted. The album fits in well with its deemed pop/r&b genre while at the same time expanding into more alternative sounds with its frequent use of harmonious background singing (Borneman). The use of a roaring French horn section also adds an epic air to some of the tracks, including the opener and “Sincerely, Jane.”  “Sincerely, Jane” adds a social commentary of how brutal life in the city can be while at the same time holding true to the overall sound of the album. Monae’s appearance, as in her different hairstyle and way of dressing contribute to the sound of her music in the sense that it shows that she is a true performer. Dressing differently does not always make a good artist, but it certainly adds a level of creativity to one’s ability to produce an art. In addition, Monae’s city background shows up in the track (Spotify).  Through her appearance as a whole, I would expect nothing less than a new take on an existing genre or a brand new direction altogether.  Overall, the album is a refreshing take on the pop and r&b genre, as well as an intriguing social commentary on certain conditions in the country. The fact that the first half of the album tells a story is crucial to the creative element in that storytelling is an art in itself. When one turns a story into an opera, it becomes that much better because music adds emotion to any story.

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/39522/Janelle-Monae-Metropolis-Suite-I-of-IV%3A-The-Chase/