“Dirty Computer” is an ambitious album for Monáe: it’s her first album not using her android character Cindi Mayweather, her first album after creating her label collective Wondaland Records, it’s her first album to have an explicit rating, and it’s her first album after coming out. Monáe came out as pansexual in an article with Rolling Stone just before the album dropped.
The album sees the artist letting loose and being more honest and open about herself as well as being more direct; she’s slightly less worried about being the perfect android and more worried about being relatable and human. It’s a celebration of what makes her unique and it’s meant to uplift others who belong to marginalized groups. Monáe has always been outspoken about respecting the “other” whether that means being LGBT+, black, android, etc. But this is the first time that she’s included herself as part of the LGBT+ community.
With everything that has changed for this album, many things have remained the same. For one, the album is cohesive and flows well from one song to the next. Two, Monáe is incredibly involved in the creation of her music with writing credits on all but two tracks and producing credits on over half the tracks. Third is Monáe's tendency to mix genres flawlessly. Standout songs include singles ‘Make Me Feel’, ‘Django Jane’, and ‘I Like That’, and ‘Screwed’, which features Zoe Kravitz.
‘Make Me Feel’ was a great choice as a first single because it was similar enough to her older songs to not seem like a complete 180 but it was explicit and sexually suggestive. It set the tone for the the album being more liberated and less “proper”. The track has distinct Prince vibes and was definitely influenced by him but unfortunately is not a collaboration with him. Monáe stated that his passing was deeply felt in the making of “Dirty Computer” because she would begin to create and wonder what advice or input her mentor would’ve given her. In the song she declares “it’s like I’m powerful with a little bit of tender, an emotional sexual bender.”
‘Django Jane’ was a great second single because it showed off a different side of Monáe. Whereas ‘Make Me Feel’ is a fun R&B/Funk song ‘Django Jane’ is a no-nonsense Rap/Hip Hop song. We’ve heard Monáe's rapping skills in songs like ‘Q.U.E.E.N.’ but never before has she released a song that has her rapping right through. She boasts “runnin’ out of space in my damn bandwagon” then later tells men “hit the mute button, let the vagina have a monologue”. The artist says the inspiration came from the strength and grace of the Dora Milaje - the female warriors from Black Panther as well as speaking things into existence such as the mentions of Grammy’s and other awards.
‘I Like That’ is about being unique and learning to love it. One of the standout lines is “I’m always left of center and that’s right where I belong, I’m the random minor note you hear in major songs”.
‘Screwed’ is such a fun song to sing - the lyrics really contrast the delivery. The lyrics are about situations devolving but trying to make the best of it; “I, I, I hear the sirens calling and the bombs are falling in the streets we’re all screwed.” The song has an interesting structure with a spoken word bridge coming in twice and a rapped outro.
“Dirty Computer” even garnered two Grammy Nominations: one for Album of the Year and one for the music video for the song ‘Pynk’ which features Grimes. Best of luck to Monáe who has been nominated three times for her solo work and another three times for her collaboration with band Fun but hasn’t yet won.
What did you think of "Dirty Computer"? Have you seen the accompanying "emotion picture"? Watch it here. Let me know in the comments which tracks are your favorite. Thanks for reading!
