(Image: https://genius.com/albums/Janelle-monae/Dirty-computer)

Rarely do we encounter a piece of music that gracefully dismantles the status quo surrounding sexuality, race, gender, and identity while being catchy and feel-good. However, Janelle Monae did it in 2018 with Dirty Computer, her third studio album. As a bonus, there is an “emotion picture” associated with it.  

But why should you expend an hour of your valuable time to listen to this masterpiece? 

1.It seamlessly blends pop, R&B, and hip hop 

“Crazy, Classic Life” is bass drum driven and rhythmically varied, but there are also layered vocals and a moderate use of symbols that make the song diverge from just R&B or just pop elements. Then further along in the album, “Don’t Judge Me” is jazzy and psychedelic. Distorted vocals, a chill bass line, and the implementation of stringed instruments sets the song apart from the rest.  

“Make Me Feel” has obvious influence from Prince as evidenced by the unconventional synth beats and sound effects that drench the song. Then, chipper guitar licks pepper the second verse and chorus, while the song builds up to a raw display of vocals.  

Dirty Computer is incredibly diverse in terms of the genres it decides to sample from. Nevertheless, somehow all these songs mesh well together both musically and lyrically. 

2.Dirty Computer espouses sexual liberation in a profound way 

Sure, the music industry – specifically pop music and R&B – today is filled with sex-positive tunes that shamelessly embrace this social liberation paved in the past 50 years, but Monae is unique in her treatment of sexual identity as a fluid entity that exists on a spectrum. She’s proud of her bisexuality, but it’s only one facet of her greater feminist agenda.  

Additionally, Monae reclaims female sexuality from our society, which often stigmatizes it. In “Pynk” and “Screwed”, she unapologetically exerts agency over her own desires with lines like “I live my life on birth control, I lost my mind on rock and roll”. These songs aren’t particularly sensual or “romantic” per se. Instead, they closer follow the mantra “sex is power”, an assertion Monae makes throughout the album.  

3.Monae revolts against traditional gender roles and biases against women 

The opening lines of “Django Jane”, the sixth track off the album, are: “Yeah this is my palace, Champagne in my chalice, I got it all covered like a wedding band, wonderland, so my alias is Alice”. Later she raps, “Remember when they used to say I look too manish, Black girl magic, y’all can’t stand it, y’all can’t ban it”.  

Monae owns her femininity and rebels against the notion that women can’t be successful the way men can. She built her career through her hustler attitude. By embracing her identity and owning the parts of herself people have criticized before, she is working to dismantle the preconceived notions society has against black, queer women.  

Overall, Dirty Computer is will always be one of my favorite albums of all time. Not only is it musically complex and diverse, but it also has an incredible message that everyone should hear. Even though there are elements of anger and frustration with today’s social institutions, her message boils down to love, equality, and representation.  

Rating 10/10