Janelle Monae is garnering unabashed praise for this debut, which consists of two Afrocentric, neo-futurist suites that try to take OutKast into the stratosphere but are really just the irritating conceits of an ambitious newcomer who thinks she can tackle every genre imaginable while making a two part concept album about futuristic robot societies. Not a bad-sounding album nor a boring one - energy is Monae’s main export - its is regretfully filled with songs that seem strained before they finish even the first time. The lyrics are mostly irrelevant and twee, the kind of sweet nothings meant to draw listeners into a big tent of fellowship, but ultimately they're forgettable and painfully innocuous. Afterwards I can’t remember a lyric, a tune, or a moment that stirred me. This is the Avatar of R&B. 1.5/5
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