Janelle Monáe
The Electric Lady
(Bad Boy Records)
Stunning. This is an absolutely wonderful album. Right away, it grabs your attention and holds onto your ears for a wonderful ride. There are many tracks, and not one of them is weak. One of my favorites, “Q.U.E.E.N.,” features Erykah Badu and mentions Kansas City, where Monáe is from. Another good song is “Victory” because it highlights her vocal talent. Many of her songs don’t do that, even if they are supreme melodically and lyrically. But as good as each song is on its own, my favorite aspect of this CD is the feeling that listening to the entire album gives me. All the songs flow into one another like one big celebration of song that’s constantly changing its ebb and flow. Lastly, every gay girl will love the lyrics to “Ghetto Woman.” I won’t say why – you’ll just have to listen.
Britney Spears
The Single:
“Work Bitch”
(RCA)
It’s hard to think about the fact that Britney Spears is coming out with her eighth studio album. Oh, how she has endured past all the fame and controversy. I’m just glad she’s still here, dishing out edgy dance songs. I couldn’t ignore this single, mostly because so many friends on every social-networking site went crazy over its release. I think this song was made for gay boys to sweat their butts off. It sounds like the gay bar on a busy weekend. It’s techno-tinted dance through and through. Although the lyrics are appropriately simple, they are teeming with attitude and assurance, like a runway walk to trouble. I’ve heard better songs, but I have to say I like it.
Natalia Kills
Trouble
(will.i.am/Cherry Tree/Interscope Records)
Natalia never fails to impress me. If you love dance music and pop, do not ignore this ferocious woman. The CD is good, although I’m still debating whether I like her first album better. I’ve heard a lot of dance music, and most of the time I end up lumping it all together. Not Natalia Kills, though — she’s different. She stays with me. I really like it when artists add a bit of industrial techno rust to make a song more edgy, like in the songs “Problem” and “Controversy,” which are dark, dirty, and sexy. Her latest single from the album, “Saturday Night,” is not a favorite. I enjoy it, but I think there are much better songs on the album, like “Devils Don’t Fly.” So be sure to check out the rest of the album. It you love dance, it’s worth it.
