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The ArchAndroid
by
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The ArchAndroid Image
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 574 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length album for the singer born in Kansas City is a continuation of the story of Cindi Mayweather, the android introduced in the 2007 EP, "Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase."

Top Track

Tightrope
Monae and Leftfoot Whoaaa Another day I take your pain away Some people talk about ya Like they know all about ya When you get down they doubt... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. The Guardian
    100
    To say it's ambitious feels like damning with faint praise; its sheer musical scope--from the James Brown funk of Tightrope to the English pastoral folk of Oh, Maker--is spellbinding.
  2. Urb
    100
    Either allow this the dignity of being played through a quality sound system or go invest in a pair of Beats by Dres. This is far less an album than a cinematic experience.
  3. The A.V. Club
    91
    Monae's inexhaustible swagger and singular style sell both the high-concept theatrics and the schizophrenic sonics.
  4. Los Angeles Times
    88
    At times, the fumes of ambition are so thick off "The ArchAndroid," it's hard to absorb in one sitting. All the same, it's a star-making debut.
  5. Billboard.com
    83
    Manipulating her voice as much as she does her sound, Monáe widens the cast of characters and pushes along the self-explorative narrative. The ArchAndroid could be the stuff of stage or screen, 3-D without the annoying glasses.
  6. AllMusic
    80
    Understanding all this stuff enhances the enjoyment of the album, but it is not required. A few tracks merely push the album along, and a gaudy Of Montreal collaboration is disruptive, but there are numerous highlights that are vastly dissimilar from one another.
  7. Rolling Stone
    70
    Her full-length debut--about a robot-populated utopia based on Fritz Lang's classic 1927 film Metropolis--is so ambitious, so freighted with sounds and ideas and allusions, it threatens at times to sink under its own weight.

See all 28 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 87 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 91
  3. Negative: 2 out of 91
  1. JoshF.
    May 19, 2010
    10
    It took all of one listen to know this was instantly near the top of my Desert Island discs list. And it should be high on yours, too.
  2. Ixarix
    Aug 22, 2010
    10
    This is one of most impressive albums I've come across in a long time. This album is so large and there are some many different genres ofThis is one of most impressive albums I've come across in a long time. This album is so large and there are some many different genres of music at play that it is difficult to get a proper handle on it with only one listen. It is only after listening to it a few times through myself that I have been able to fully appreciate it. I like that Janelle Monae had the courage to think big with this album and that there were enough people around her to support her vision and make it a reality. I… Expand
  4. TylerR.
    May 21, 2010
    10
    Wow! I wasn't expecting to like this album at all, but checked it out anyways because of the high ratings. And wow! Is all I can say. Wow! I wasn't expecting to like this album at all, but checked it out anyways because of the high ratings. And wow! Is all I can say. Give it a listen, even if this is something you would never listen to.… Expand
  5. indiegalaxy10
    Aug 25, 2013
    10
    A masterpiece. A incredible and challenging album, her style is ecletic and the music is the same. This album is like a movie or some. It'sA masterpiece. A incredible and challenging album, her style is ecletic and the music is the same. This album is like a movie or some. It's simply the best of this year 2010. Now i'm waiting for the sequel and i expect that it will be a second masterpiece of this talented woman.… Expand
  6. indiegirly
    Apr 10, 2023
    10
    An impressive album by the incredibly talented Janelle Monae; it feels like such an amazing and large listening experience. Janelle deserves aAn impressive album by the incredibly talented Janelle Monae; it feels like such an amazing and large listening experience. Janelle deserves a lot more recognition for this masterpiece.… Expand
  7. BWETMatangi
    Sep 14, 2013
    9
    I love this album! Janelle has so many different styles and genres of music on "The ArchAndroid". The best songs on the album are "Faster",I love this album! Janelle has so many different styles and genres of music on "The ArchAndroid". The best songs on the album are "Faster", "Tightrope" and "Come Alive (The War Of The Roses)".… Expand
  8. TimQ
    May 20, 2010
    2
    Way over-hyped. The record is nothing more than eclectic and pretentious. It meddles in so many genres that it's intent is confused. It Way over-hyped. The record is nothing more than eclectic and pretentious. It meddles in so many genres that it's intent is confused. It comes off as gaudy and too eager to impress. Very little substance painted with glitter and gold. Don't support this meaningless artist when there are so many better musicians struggling in obscurity.… Expand

See all 91 User Reviews

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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best Album of 2010
14
#14 Most Discussed Album of 2010
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 2010

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