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The Age of Pleasure
by
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
The Age of Pleasure Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 50 Ratings

  • Summary: The first full-length studio release in five years for Janelle Monáe features guest appearances by Amaarae, Ckay, Doechii, Grace Jones, Nia Long, and Sister Nancy.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Consequence
    Jun 8, 2023
    83
    It’s a delicious amount of fun and presumably would’ve felt like a treat had it arrived any time of year — but for The Age of Pleasure to become available just as summer truly begins to heat up feels intentional.
  2. AllMusic
    Jun 9, 2023
    80
    There's joy in every moment.
  3. The Observer (UK)
    Jun 12, 2023
    80
    Having parked her dystopian allegories, it follows that Monáe now feels a little more like an artist in a crowded partying field. But she has earned this mainstream place. Moreover, she remains distinctive.
  4. Beats Per Minute
    Jun 20, 2023
    78
    This album finishes right when it needs to. Any longer and there might be a genuine risk of someone having a hernia from all the physical carousing. As it is, we leave this magical island fully refreshed and filled with self satisfaction.
  5. HipHopDX
    Jun 22, 2023
    74
    Stuffed with a handful of sub-two-minute tracks and a few interludes, The Age of Pleasure sounds more like a short week of longing and sexual liberation, the epilogue to a coming of age story.
  6. musicOMH.com
    Jun 8, 2023
    70
    It might not be as cohesive as some of her earlier work but The Age Of Pleasure is still an album that bristles with energy and boldness.
  7. Clash Music
    Jun 9, 2023
    50
    On occasion, the record feels quite lazy in its lyrical direction and yet too direct, falling into moments of cringe rather than what could have been perceived as powerful and fun.

See all 18 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. diad3m
    Jun 9, 2023
    10
    This album is perfect and came just in time for the summer. With a smart use of sounds that span numerous corners of the African diaspora, TheThis album is perfect and came just in time for the summer. With a smart use of sounds that span numerous corners of the African diaspora, The Age of Pleasure give us a fleeting taste of the pleasures Janelle shares with us.… Expand
  2. heltondrew
    Jun 9, 2023
    10
    She's back and in her skin more than ever. She welcomes you along for her exploration of her brand of sexy. It's delicious, catchy, fun, andShe's back and in her skin more than ever. She welcomes you along for her exploration of her brand of sexy. It's delicious, catchy, fun, and absolutely the feel-good album of the summer.… Expand
  4. itsmiguelbee
    Jun 9, 2023
    10
    mother has returned. pronouns are they/them, she/her, and freeahhmuthaf*cka. album of the summer fr.
  5. RubeRed
    Jun 15, 2023
    9
    This is a fun summer album! Janelle Monáe has crafted more focused albums in the past but this is just her having fun and I had fun listening to it
  6. Heyitscarlos
    Jun 9, 2023
    8
    Janelle you have done it again! Her records are always so fun but with a lot of creative intention behind them, i want to shake my bootyJanelle you have done it again! Her records are always so fun but with a lot of creative intention behind them, i want to shake my booty listening to this record. This was the album of the summer i was waiting on! The Caribbean vibes are ridiculous, every song puts me in feel good mood, the tracks are complex with great lyrics none of that cheesy pop stuff. The one down side to this record which made me give it an 8 of 10 was that i found the songs to be way to short, each of them could've had an extra 30 seconds or up to an extra minute. Overall an excellent offering from Miss Monae, my favorite tracks are Float, Champagne **** Paid in Pleasure, Haute, A Dry Red and Know Better.… Expand
  7. Shawn0305
    Jun 10, 2023
    8
    Rating: 86 (Great)

    Tracklist Ranking: 1. Only Have Eyes 42 Rating: 100 (Masterpiece) 2. A Dry Red Rating: 100 (Masterpiece) 3. Lipstick    Rating: 86 (Great)

    Tracklist Ranking:
    1. Only Have Eyes 42
    Rating: 100 (Masterpiece)
    2. A Dry Red
    Rating: 100 (Masterpiece)
    3. Lipstick Lover
    Rating: 98 (Amazing)
    4. Know Better Rating: 96 (Amazing)
    5. Paid In Pleasure Rating: 94 (Amazing)
    6. Black Sugar Beach
    Rating: 91 (Amazing)
    7. Champagne ****
    Rating: 88 (Great)
    8. Float
    Rating: 87 (Great)
    9. Haute
    Rating: 82 (Great)
    10. Water Slide Rating: 78 (Good)
    11. The French 75
    Rating: 77 (Good)
    12. The Rush
    Rating: 76 (Good)
    13. Phenomenal Rating: 73 (Good)
    14. Oooh La La Rating: 69 (Okay)

    Full Album Review:
    The Age of Pleasure is an great album. The album is way more chill and relaxing than Janelle’s previous albums but also lacks the amazing lyrical content that she had in her other albums. The album is still very enjoyable with the incredible production.    … Expand
  8. buzzlight
    Jul 21, 2023
    5
    When the ArchAndroid came out, I thought, wow, the reincarnation of Prince in female form. A perfect 10 of an album- an amazingly creativeWhen the ArchAndroid came out, I thought, wow, the reincarnation of Prince in female form. A perfect 10 of an album- an amazingly creative voice and personality that could redefine music like David Bowie or Michael Jackson. With each record, she has abandon everything that made her so creative when she first came out. This is just another radio pop album that is oversexualized. She's going for popularity, not creativity. A big disappointment.… Expand

See all 13 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Most Discussed Album of 2023

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