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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. dirtycomputer
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    Pure excellent artistry is simply at work in this album. She touches on raw, unabashed identity and what it means to be a proud black, non-gender conforming individual in America given the sociopolitical context of our current modern society. She also utilizes exemplary elements from familiar artists in her work such as Prince and Grimes while also introducing new players into herPure excellent artistry is simply at work in this album. She touches on raw, unabashed identity and what it means to be a proud black, non-gender conforming individual in America given the sociopolitical context of our current modern society. She also utilizes exemplary elements from familiar artists in her work such as Prince and Grimes while also introducing new players into her discography such as the promising Zoë Kravitz and Brian Wilson from the iconic Beach Boys. Furthermore, the album is accompanied by an awe-inspiring 'emotion picture' that only attests to her sheer vision and creative innovation as an artist who is willing to cross traditional genres and boundaries in music and film. Indeed, Dirty Computer will truly withstand as one of her most ambitious projects of all time.… Expand
  2. sammyanthony
    May 17, 2018
    8
    Lyrically substantial, as usual. Melodically intriguing, yet some part of a few songs inadequate to build a masterpiece (read: mediocre), made them worth skipping. Regardless of those significant flaws, some songs are so evocative and solid in production like 'Screwed', 'Django Jane', 'PYNK', 'Make Me Feel', 'I Like That', 'Don't Judge Me' and 'So Afraid'.
  3. GaleLiu
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    My personal Album of the Year! Such a perfect masterpiece. Even though female empowerment through female sexuality is nothing new, the use of queerness in her lyrics and visuals is just bold and outstanding. Personal favs: Screwed, Django Jane, PYNK, I Like That.
  4. JaiderAdkins
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    This is the album of the year! It is so great, I love it.
    All the songs are my favorites
  5. IgorCryBaby
    May 1, 2018
    10
    Best album of the year so far and it's hard to beat it. I can see her wining Grammy for Album Of The Year.
  6. AntonioUchoa
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    I am stunned. I did not even know how to start up to talk about this album.

    Janelle came up with boldness and mixed rhythms in this record. She never loses her essence. The R&B is there, versatility and criticisms as well. Empowerment manifesto, very rich rap flows claiming women’s history and their accomplishments. Very diversified elements in each line of her lyrics, besides of a    I am stunned. I did not even know how to start up to talk about this album.

    Janelle came up with boldness and mixed rhythms in this record. She never loses her essence. The R&B is there, versatility and criticisms as well. Empowerment manifesto, very rich rap flows claiming women’s history and their accomplishments. Very diversified elements in each line of her lyrics, besides of a beautiful album cover’s aesthetic. It is vivid. Monae also brought a gender lesson, strong statements about freedom and her wish to see everyone’s good.

    FAV TRACKS: Dirty Computer/ Crazy, Classic, Life/ Take A Byte/ Screwed/ Pynk/ Make Me Feel/ Americans.

    Least Favorite Tracks: I Like That (It is a very forgettable music; I think Monae did not put tenderness and the beat is repetitive and annoying though.)    … Expand
  7. Picthforkei
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    dirty computer is THAT POP PERFECTION, Best work from janelle ever. ever song is a bop
  8. bodakyellow
    Apr 29, 2018
    10
    This is ALBUM OF THE YEAR right here. I was a bit scared before listening because it had been so long since The Electric Lady, but this was certainly worth the wait! Janelle keeps her sci-fi theme going, but brings many songs to a very, very personal level, making this album an absolute keeper. Favourite tracks: Crazy Classic Life, Django Jane, Pynk, I Like That
  9. Mathex
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    this album is a materpiece to my ears! and this cover art is GORGEOUS! i'm in love
  10. superblablo
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    One of her best works yet. Everything is extraordinarily mesmerizing. The production, vocals, lyrics & themes and flow when she raps are absolutely delightful. The Emotion Picture also needs to be discussed: it reminded me sometimes to Blade Runner, The Handmaid's Tale and Black Mirror's episode 'St. Junipero'. Everything mixed makes the album to have a Prince vibe that you will not deny,One of her best works yet. Everything is extraordinarily mesmerizing. The production, vocals, lyrics & themes and flow when she raps are absolutely delightful. The Emotion Picture also needs to be discussed: it reminded me sometimes to Blade Runner, The Handmaid's Tale and Black Mirror's episode 'St. Junipero'. Everything mixed makes the album to have a Prince vibe that you will not deny, buy this album right now!… Expand
  11. michaelm93l
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    Just magnificent along with the emotion picture its a true piece of art! True talent.
  12. chateaulobby
    Apr 30, 2018
    10
    THIS IS THE ALBUM OF THE MILLENNIUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):)
  13. musiesque
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    This is already album of the year. Janelle Monae back with pure genius. Reflects the times perfectly - as art should be doing.
  14. Luncea28
    May 1, 2018
    9
    Like The ArchAndroid, a modern masterpiece. Whereas the ArchAndroid may be her most cohesive and steeped in creative metaphor, Dirty Computer is her most musically diverse and openly vulnerable. Both are strong in their own ways. Here, Monae adds a pure rap track in "Django Jane" and the quite pop "Pynk" to her repertoire, both of which she excels in. On the other hand, songs like "I GotLike The ArchAndroid, a modern masterpiece. Whereas the ArchAndroid may be her most cohesive and steeped in creative metaphor, Dirty Computer is her most musically diverse and openly vulnerable. Both are strong in their own ways. Here, Monae adds a pure rap track in "Django Jane" and the quite pop "Pynk" to her repertoire, both of which she excels in. On the other hand, songs like "I Got The Juice" and "I Like That" are nice additions featuring the classic Monae sound.

    My only criticism would be that I wish the interludes "Jane's Dream" and "Stevie's Dream" were longer - I miss the sweeping orchestral suites from her previous albums.

    Overall, the album is an excellent addition to her discography, and well worth the wait.
    For those interested, the "emotion picture" is stunning as well, with an extended version of Pynk as a highlight.

    Fave Tracks: Django Jane, Pynk, I Like That, Take A Byte.    … Expand
  15. blahblob68
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    I really enjoyed this album, the lyrical content, the production, the cohesiveness, Janelle is a true artist and this album proves that
  16. gabsgomes
    Apr 28, 2018
    10
    Hinário demais. Amei os singles e as outras faixas também, principalmente I Got The Juice.
  17. Herntzjrt
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    This is a summary of perfection, it's an excellent album from start to finish
  18. no1angel
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    simplesmente INCRÍVEL como qualquer coisa que Janelle se dispõe a fazer. o filme também é MUITO BOM!!!! essa mulher não consegue errar em definitivamente nada. perfeita.
  19. rcul4u998
    Apr 27, 2018
    10
    Monae continues to be so far ahead of her time. Much like The ArchAndroid, Dirty Computer is likely to be the type of album you listen to many years later and think about how there is still nothing out there that sounds anything like it. A revolutionary album from a revolutionary woman who continues to deconstruct societal barriers and constructions through her music.
  20. muhamad
    Apr 28, 2018
    10
    arguably the best album of the year so far. this is the best homage to queerness, femininity & unapologetic blackness. and the emotion picture give even more life to the music, I've recently became a fan this year along with this new era and this album secured me as a Janelle stan. incredible concept, amazing music composing & exquisite writing. I could go on & on... this is musical perfection.
  21. DONNCHA
    Apr 29, 2018
    10
    Surely 'Album of the Year' beckons from the Grammys..........pure class. Just wow.
  22. DanielDior
    Apr 29, 2018
    10
    This album has blown my entire expectations. Janelle Monaé has blessed the world with World class music. Underrated masterpiece. Grammy deserving.
  23. popstyle
    Apr 30, 2018
    10
    This is pure perfection, pop perfection, R&B perfection,
    Rap/Hip-hop perfection! It's incredible what she did with the lyrics and synths they match in a way I'd never seen before! It has a message, but It's not full of militance like Beyonce's Lemonade, It has a sexy and cool part. It is Art in its pure form.
  24. DiogoOliveira
    Apr 30, 2018
    10
    escutei um amem? nota verde, hoje, amanha, sempre, mostra como ser feminista Janelle, Beyoncé sonha com isso.
  25. SergioAllIndie
    May 25, 2018
    9
    I might be a little distant from the genre overall, but I feel that this is certainly well-crafted and insightful pop music as its best. The straight-forwardness both musically and conceptually is justified; listeners cannot do but let Monáe get away with hers! and well, people were waiting for an artist of her ilk to make an album such as this, for the sake of us all, and to deliver itsI might be a little distant from the genre overall, but I feel that this is certainly well-crafted and insightful pop music as its best. The straight-forwardness both musically and conceptually is justified; listeners cannot do but let Monáe get away with hers! and well, people were waiting for an artist of her ilk to make an album such as this, for the sake of us all, and to deliver its message in the name of many. Her talent is one in a million indeed. As far as I´m concerned, Dirty Computer can easily have the same level of incidence as Kendrick Lamar´s To Pimp a Butterfly on a near future, when we´ll discuss which albums better reflected our contemporary landscape, and how accurate they depicted the macro-sociocultural issues we´re facing.
    Oh... and furthermore... It´s catchy as a MF!!    … Expand
  26. prestonhung
    May 1, 2018
    9
    DIRTY COMPUTER is one of this decade's best yet most underrated project ever released. The lyrics, melody, and visuals of the album are all able to catch the attention of the listeners, and overall the album is extremely well crafted, deep, insightful, and necessary.
  27. melophobic
    Apr 28, 2018
    10
    thanks to janelle. this album is the perfect mix of the archandroid and electric lady. all of the good feelings we heard in her last records are expressed in dirty computer, and it makes this album so special and amazing.
  28. gagaxb
    May 6, 2018
    10
    This is the album of the year! LOOOVEEE ITTTT and all the songs are fire and this cover art is GORGEOUS!
  29. yanarias
    Apr 28, 2018
    10
    Best album so far. I listened to it first and then watched the motion picture that’s available on youtube, and saw various interviews in which Janelle explained everything. It is so well constructed. The songs, the visual representing each song, the wardrobe, the effects, the transitions to each story and how the story is told is very engaging. Congrats to her and her team. Amazing work!
  30. Livey
    Apr 28, 2018
    10
    I've played this album repeatedly. It's a must have this year. Tune the world out with some lights out and just play. This album can be played throughout. There isn't a song to skip and you don't get that a lot nowadays. My picks: Dirty Computer, Take a Byte, Django Jane, PYNK, I Like That, Don't Judge Me, Make Me Feel (10/10)
prev
Page:

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
See all critic reviews »