The Age of Pleasure
by Janelle Monáe
  • Record Label: Bad Boy
  • Release Date: Jun 9, 2023
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 50
  3. Negative: 1 out of 50
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. itsmiguelbee
    Jun 9, 2023
    10
    mother has returned. pronouns are they/them, she/her, and freeahhmuthaf*cka. album of the summer fr.
  2. 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 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 recordJanelle 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
  3. 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, and absolutely the feel-good album of the summer.
  4. 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, The Age of Pleasure give us a fleeting taste of the pleasures Janelle shares with us.
  5. 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 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: 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
  6. 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 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'sWhen 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
  7. 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
  8. GosuGabe
    Jul 14, 2023
    9
    I am obsessed and I can't keep myself from talking about this album. She has truly liberated herself and just enjoying her life, her time and her body. I'm not sure if I've ever heard an album that was this free and joyful but also soothingly sexual. It's giving Woodstock vibes if they played soul, reggae and afrobeat songs.

    It is refreshing to hear sexual songs that are not in your    I am obsessed and I can't keep myself from talking about this album. She has truly liberated herself and just enjoying her life, her time and her body. I'm not sure if I've ever heard an album that was this free and joyful but also soothingly sexual. It's giving Woodstock vibes if they played soul, reggae and afrobeat songs.

    It is refreshing to hear sexual songs that are not in your face but in your veins. It's intoxicating but relaxing, it makes you move but not in a festival/clubbing way. It's chill but fun, it's laidback and cool but also welcoming. It's everything.

    I want to also highlight how natural she sounds. She doesn't try to sound or look anything, she is just letting loose and it is also getting you in that same state of mind.

    My top songs: Haute, Lipstick Lover, The Rush, Water Slide, Paid In Pleasure    … Expand
  9. Lajaleaa
    Jul 10, 2023
    8
    In between "Dirty Computer" (2018) and "The Age Of Pleasure", I have to say that I enjoyed this new album the most. Janelle is having an awesome time exploring the youth, joy and melodies of the roots of the music she identifies with, and I can't help to jam along her continuous exploration through this brief and nice paradise. I would not completely understand why she would split in partsIn between "Dirty Computer" (2018) and "The Age Of Pleasure", I have to say that I enjoyed this new album the most. Janelle is having an awesome time exploring the youth, joy and melodies of the roots of the music she identifies with, and I can't help to jam along her continuous exploration through this brief and nice paradise. I would not completely understand why she would split in parts songs that are already short, but this can very well a collection of 5 awesome currents that are expressed and produced awesomely. It is small enough for its focus, concept and process to fail, but it is appreciated that "The Age Of Pleasure" was made to be concise and solid in all of its parts.… Expand
  10. Dylantm
    Jun 23, 2023
    10
    this album is a WHOLE VIBE like if you don’t get it you just aren’t a fun person
  11. skylecrawling
    Jun 20, 2023
    10
    eu não dava nada pra esse álbum, até escutar pela segunda e ver o quão ele é grande e maravilhoso. Obrigado Janelle
  12. robertolsjr
    Jun 9, 2023
    8
    Não superou o Dirty Computer, mas é um ótimo álbum. Minhas favoritas são Float, Lipstick Lover e Know Better.
  13. Dani_Filipee
    Jun 29, 2023
    7
    Título: "Janelle Monae nos leva a uma viagem tropical com 'The Age Of Pleasure'"

    Janelle Monae, a talentosa cantora e compositora norte-americana, sempre foi conhecida por sua abordagem inovadora e versátil à música. Com seu novo álbum, "The Age Of Pleasure", lançado em 9 de junho de 2023, Monae nos surpreende mais uma vez, explorando um território musical completamente novo.    Título: "Janelle Monae nos leva a uma viagem tropical com 'The Age Of Pleasure'"

    Janelle Monae, a talentosa cantora e compositora norte-americana, sempre foi conhecida por sua abordagem inovadora e versátil à música. Com seu novo álbum, "The Age Of Pleasure", lançado em 9 de junho de 2023, Monae nos surpreende mais uma vez, explorando um território musical completamente novo. Diferentemente de seus álbuns anteriores, neste ela mergulha em temas mais tropicais, com batidas do soul e toques sutis de reggae, criando uma atmosfera que nos transporta diretamente para uma ilha caribenha cheia de cultura tropical vibrante.

    Ao ouvir "The Age Of Pleasure", é quase como se estivéssemos sentados em uma praia paradisíaca da Bahia, desfrutando de um clima descontraído e relaxante. Janelle Monae utiliza sua habilidade musical para transmitir essa sensação com maestria. A combinação de ritmos cativantes, melodias envolventes e uma produção impecável resulta em uma experiência auditiva verdadeiramente imersiva.

    No âmago do álbum, encontramos uma temática ousada e explícita sobre sexo e drogas, com destaque para o uso da erva. No entanto, Monae trata desses assuntos de forma descontraída e tranquila, evitando qualquer apelo excessivo ou vulgaridade. Ela consegue criar um equilíbrio entre a sensualidade das letras e a suavidade das melodias, proporcionando um ambiente confortável para explorar esses temas.

    Diferentemente dos álbuns anteriores de Monae, que apresentavam uma estética sci-fi e melodias com conexões tecnológicas, "The Age Of Pleasure" mostra um lado mais humano e terreno da artista. Ela mergulha nas raízes musicais e traz à tona influências do soul clássico e do reggae, mesclando-as com sua própria identidade artística única.

    Entre as faixas do álbum, duas se destacam como minhas favoritas pessoais: "Champagne **** e "Lipstick Lover". "Champagne **** apresenta uma batida contagiante, com vocais poderosos e uma letra que celebra a vida noturna e a alegria de estar entre amigos. Por outro lado, "Lipstick Lover" traz uma atmosfera mais suave e sensual, com um refrão cativante que se aloja na mente do ouvinte.

    A recepção da crítica e da mídia em relação a "The Age Of Pleasure" tem sido amplamente positiva. Muitos elogiam a coragem de Monae em explorar novos territórios musicais e sua habilidade de criar um ambiente imersivo através de suas composições. Além disso, a abordagem madura e relaxada dos temas polêmicos é elogiada por proporcionar uma experiência auditiva envolvente e intrigante.

    Em suma, "The Age Of Pleasure" é uma evolução musical notável na carreira de Janelle Monae. Ela nos transporta para uma ilha caribenha com suas batidas tropicais, enquanto nos convida a explorar temas sensuais e descontraídos. É um álbum que celebra a diversidade musical e a habilidade artística de Monae, tornando-se mais um marco em sua carreira brilhante.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Most Discussed Album of 2023

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Uncut
    Jul 17, 2023
    70
    Spanning just 32 minutes, The Art Of Pleasure feels slight and light. Even so, the warm glow of liberated self-love on sparkly standouts like "Float", "Phenomenal" and "Haute" is infectious. [Sep 2023, p.32]
  2. 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.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »