Dirty Computer
by Janelle Monáe
  • Record Label: Bad Boy
  • Release Date: Apr 27, 2018
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 679 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 608 out of 679
  2. Mixed: 29 out of 679
  3. Negative: 42 out of 679
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  1. Ricko
    Oct 29, 2018
    7
    Bar the odd interesting sample and collaboration the music is straightforward pop, easily digested with little lasting satisfaction. Lyrically it's a bit all over the shop. Lots of talk about sex but more for the sake of it than to make any particular point about liberation etc ( I got the juice wtf???) in the vein of St Vincent's "Masseduction". A decent pop record with a few highlightsBar the odd interesting sample and collaboration the music is straightforward pop, easily digested with little lasting satisfaction. Lyrically it's a bit all over the shop. Lots of talk about sex but more for the sake of it than to make any particular point about liberation etc ( I got the juice wtf???) in the vein of St Vincent's "Masseduction". A decent pop record with a few highlights and a few clangers.… Expand
  2. vojtamarek
    Sep 18, 2020
    7
    We’re lucky to live in the same time as this woman. Janelle Monáe is one of a kind. Her voice speaks for many and her talent amazes us all. Dirty Computer is a special pop record. I’m not gonna review it properly, just listen to Django Jane. That song is everything.
  3. ProteinBoy
    May 30, 2018
    7
    A brave lyrical and musical effort which makes me want to explore her music further; I feel that this may be a more commercial release and some of this is a bit too mainstream RnB for my taste. All the same, some great music here - 'Don't Judge Me' is masterful.
  4. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 6, 2022
    7
    Delightful pure pop. It sounds sweet and lush . Like all of Monae albums it tells a larger conceptual story that reflects some real life problem through an afro futuristic lense. This is the least serious out of the series and instead seeks to revel in the joy of self discovery. The Brian Wilson feature is a big deal and continues her streak (see: Prince,Erykah& Big boi). The record canDelightful pure pop. It sounds sweet and lush . Like all of Monae albums it tells a larger conceptual story that reflects some real life problem through an afro futuristic lense. This is the least serious out of the series and instead seeks to revel in the joy of self discovery. The Brian Wilson feature is a big deal and continues her streak (see: Prince,Erykah& Big boi). The record can be a bit on the nose with it's politics with some lyrics feeling underdone ,generic and awkward but the music feels so carefree it's difficult to focus on it.… Expand
  5. Enterka
    Nov 14, 2019
    7
    good! only good! make me feel is best song in this album. Thanks to Janelle. Love/
  6. sambartlett2004
    Jan 24, 2021
    7
    Some great songs on here, every song is definitely unique, but I didn’t love all of them. Overall I would definitely give it another listen some time and I’m excited for Janelle’s future projects she is definitely a star in the making. She’s like a modern day Prince almost.
  7. ReadyFreddie101
    Apr 30, 2018
    6
    I feel I need to be the happy medium on this because to give it a 10 would imply it is up to the Arch android which it simply isnt. The lyrics on this are not as top notch and it lacks the sense of urgency that the others had. I respect and love Janelle so dont get me wrong still a huge fan and she said herself she needed to get this album done because it was in her mind longer than allI feel I need to be the happy medium on this because to give it a 10 would imply it is up to the Arch android which it simply isnt. The lyrics on this are not as top notch and it lacks the sense of urgency that the others had. I respect and love Janelle so dont get me wrong still a huge fan and she said herself she needed to get this album done because it was in her mind longer than all the others. Im very glad she is happy with herself fully now. That being said this album is slightly conformist and has lots of generic pop moments like the obvious grimes influence( nothing against grims but Janelle doesnt have the right voice for it I dont think even though she is an amazing singer) and also this kind of Cardi B like django jane song. I think there are some masterful songs on here that still pay tribute to her older stuff and the concept of the album is masterful as always. I do think the songs kind of go off track but if you watch the motion picture she did then it makes sense but still I feel its like 2 albums in one which isnt to say any of the songs are bad its kind of just all over the place but not like archandroid was where it meshed perfectly. Its got an obvious prince influence too which comes off as gimmicky to me even if prince worked on it with her. I dont see the point in living in glory days past when its a step back from her debut. I think the best songs are "take a byte" and "crazy, classic, life". The others vary and there is some more experimental stuff near the end which will probably grow on me. Overall its def worth a listen, but if you want her best listen to arch android which starts the story this album ends.… Expand
  8. christodoulakis
    Apr 28, 2018
    6
    A good album, but not something so superb or excellent in my opinion.
    Janelle Monáe has a very good voice and here you can listen different music styles, but...that's all.
  9. imaginetruly
    Apr 28, 2018
    6
    is a good album, a very important message, a different sound, but I did not like it so much, it's not an album that I'm going to listen to but the work done on this album is incredible and certainly worthy of all acclaim
  10. kayhamed
    Apr 30, 2018
    5
    I appreciate this album for it's production, monae's performance and being full-concentrated on it's issue but totally, incomparable with her previous masterpiece album ''the archandroid". I'm afraid she is turning to an one-division person. I expect her more various subjects.also I hate that she's a woman worshiper. she is not looking for equality, she's trying to see women top of men.
  11. SKSK
    Jul 23, 2018
    5
    The songwriting isn't good for the majority of the album. I think everyone is aware of that, but they try to forget once they support some of the messages.
  12. niqartali
    Apr 27, 2018
    0
    This is argubly weaker than Electric Lady, not even mention geniune ArchAndroid. Just listen to "Oh Maker" "Locked Inside" and "Sir Greendown" to realise how poor this album is.
  13. Alex_Nevermind
    May 28, 2018
    0
    I like Janelle Monae, but her recordings leave a lot to be desired TO ME. I was not impressed with "Dirty Computer". I didn't like it sonically or lyrically.
  14. LeadOxide
    May 1, 2018
    0
    This is one of the most unlikable albums I've heard all year. Clearly pandering to critics, annoying lyrics, super pretentious writing, musically boring. Only good song on here was Make Me Feel, which incidentally has no relevance to the rest of the album because 1. It's just a fun song with no preachy message and 2. It's actually good.
  15. Doof
    May 29, 2018
    0
    Very dumbed down and/or irritating sloganeering dominates, and the melodies/arrangements are shamelessly derivative. 'ArchAndroid' offered a lot more, this seems an exercise in trying to appeal to the LCD wherever possible.
  16. valegol
    Jul 6, 2018
    0
    I do not like !. Uninspired. Annoying. Unoriginal and most of all, unnecessary.
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Awards & Rankings

13
#13 Best Album of 2018
17
#17 Most Discussed Album of 2018
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 5, 2018
    67
    Hints of Michael Jackson's melodic moonwalking lace in the type of hip-hop ennui that will appeal to fans of Solange's A Seat at the Table, plus a sexy swagger of feminist liberation that screams 2018.
    Read full review
  2. The Wire
    Jul 13, 2018
    80
    She mostly succeeds at marrying that [transcendent black pop] to a sound that’s broader and more accessible than anything she’s put out to date. [Jul 2018, p.53]
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Jun 27, 2018
    70
    After navigating complex matrices of identity under an indulgent, accessible veneer, Dirty Computer is ultimately--even “simply”--a cathartic assertion of self in a hostile system.
    Read full review
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