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The  Electric Lady Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 37 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 227 Ratings

  • Summary: The second release for the Atlanta R&B singer continues the story of her alter-ego Cindi Mayweather with guest appearances from Erykah Badu, Big Boi, Cee Lo Green, Solange Knowles, Miguel, Prince, and Esperanza Spalding.
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Top Track

Primetime
Tick-tock, I'm watching the clock I can't wait 'til we get to rock I wanna scream and dream and throw a love parade Is that okay? Tonight it's me... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 37
  2. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Sep 9, 2013
    100
    Existing in layers, The Electric Lady revels in its polarity. The overriding statement, however, is that Janelle Monae has arrived.
  2. 90
    All in all, it is one of the most exceptionally realised albums to enter the world since her last release, and confirms that both as an artist and a role-model Monáe really ought to be celebrated as Electric Lady number one.
  3. 90
    Stellar and superb, The Electric Lady is a fantastic journey filled with impeccable works of modern flair and skill, power up indeed.
  4. Expect more straightforward, big-vocal, soul-funk numbers, and fewer immediate hits. But compared with most R&B records, Monae is still lightyears ahead.
  5. Sep 11, 2013
    80
    This isn’t her masterpiece (that’s to come in the sixth and seventh suites), but it’s only a sliver away.
  6. Sep 9, 2013
    80
    There’s no glorifying of childish trends or negative influences, instead Monae favors creating music that could be embraced by varying demographics and is molded to withstand the test of time.
  7. Sep 10, 2013
    50
    Though long and featuring a bounty of ideas, The Electric Lady is surprisingly slight.

See all 37 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 38
  2. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Sep 10, 2013
    10
    Without a doubt the best album of the year. Janelle is one of the greats and time will continue to prove that. Consulting greats like Badu,Without a doubt the best album of the year. Janelle is one of the greats and time will continue to prove that. Consulting greats like Badu, Prince, and Stevie she is continually proving that she belongs in their company. She is a genius. Her maturity, fire and the cohesiveness of this record far exceeds that of her first full length LP 2010's The ArchAndroid, not to mention that impeccable quality. Janelle has truly arrived and she knows it. Just make sure you take notice. Expand
  2. Oct 11, 2013
    10
    This is honestly the best album I've ever heard in my life, you don't just hear real music like this now days. No autotune ,music made withThis is honestly the best album I've ever heard in my life, you don't just hear real music like this now days. No autotune ,music made with real instruments no computers, songs with meaning, beautiful women, beautiful voice, and she can rap this women and this album is just perfect in every way. I'm in love with this album so much I actually paid money for it, it's that's good. Expand
  3. Jul 30, 2023
    10
    Musically speaking, I am in love with this album. It feels so inspired & inspiring, like being plunged directly in cinematic scenes, withMusically speaking, I am in love with this album. It feels so inspired & inspiring, like being plunged directly in cinematic scenes, with hints of the past but used in such a new futuristic & specific Janelle Monae-way. I listened to it entirely walking back home, and smiled All the way through. It made my bones dance, it made me happy, it feeds my soul, I wish this album had found me even before but I'm glad to discover it now anyways !

    I love Janelle's singing, it's full of character, you can always tell she's feeling a song a certain way and she knows exactly how to adapt her voice to the vibe and theme she's talking about. It's cheeky, it's dramatic, it's calm and sincere, incredible. And musically it's so delicious, there's room for improvisation and you just get swept up in it, the fturing with Prince just makes me snap my fingers and just dance with the instruments taking all the place they need, it sounds amazing, and then the end with the strings just smoothly lets you breathe before the next groovy bass line. Each song is so vastly different but also so perfectly introduced by each song before. This is an entire book with different chapters at different places and when I listen to it, I also feel like I'm becoming a different character, it's amazing. It's just so rich. Each little detail is a whole entire feast.
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  4. Sep 15, 2013
    9
    I kept reading this sentence in many reviews for this album: Janelle Monáe has arrived. I believe this sums up my impression of the albumI kept reading this sentence in many reviews for this album: Janelle Monáe has arrived. I believe this sums up my impression of the album quite accurately. It does feel like a statement, and it should. It is so much better than her debut album, which was a great achievement and still is, and it is by far the best album of the year. It incorporates many genres into a single work of stellar quality. Highly recommended. Expand
  5. Nov 16, 2013
    9
    I KNEW I could rely on Janelle Monae to make another amazing album! Her artistic direction is so inspiring and a pleasure to witness. SheI KNEW I could rely on Janelle Monae to make another amazing album! Her artistic direction is so inspiring and a pleasure to witness. She really improved on her skits relating to concept the inclusion of the radio show was perfect. Favourite track off the album is definitely the title track featuring Solange catchy, fun and exciting. Actually, all the features in this album from Solange, Miguel and Erykah Badu were solid. Cannot wait to hear what Janelle has up her sleeve next. Expand
  6. Sep 10, 2013
    8
    After listening to Ms. Monae's "ArchAndroid" and "Metropolis," I must stress that it was the story telling and experimental musicianship thatAfter listening to Ms. Monae's "ArchAndroid" and "Metropolis," I must stress that it was the story telling and experimental musicianship that caught my interest. In the end, I loved it but there were instances where some sounds just didn't quite make the cut... there is such a thing as being too experimental. With "The Electric Lady," this was by far improved and the overall theme of the LP is a straight up throwback of three different eras of R&B and Pop music: 70s Disco, 60s Black Soul, and 80s Electronic. It seems like an unbelievable match but the producers, mixers, and Ms. Monae makes it work flawlessly. Lastly, the transitions for this album is flawless as if every song is one song. Recommended Purchase. Expand
  7. Sep 15, 2013
    4
    'Meh' is about all I could muster after a first listen. I suppose it could grow on me but with regards to first impressions it falls'Meh' is about all I could muster after a first listen. I suppose it could grow on me but with regards to first impressions it falls laughably, pathetically short of her previous work on The ArchAndroid. Expand

See all 38 User Reviews