Janelle Monae came to New Orleans over the weekend, and quite literally staked out her turf. As she explained Friday night (August 23) in a listening party for fans and media, she wrote much of the new album The Electric Lady in her backyard in Atlanta, and was inspired by the feel of Georgia grass under her feet. So she’s bringing a block’s worth of that very sod to each of her new album’s listening sessions in select cities across the country, and rolling it out as a dance floor. Such are the perks of having a major-label deal, even in this frugal age.

Even for Monae, Friday’s event at the city’s brand new church-turned recording haven, Esplanade Studios proved unconventional. Rather than taking a bow, playing the record and performing a song or two, she got up close with the audience—taking to that turf dance floor and allowing the fans to join her there while a half-dozen numbers from the new disc were played (the fans all respected her space, but we assume the label rep with the bouncer-like physique was there for a reason). The small crowd also got a performance of sorts, since her mic was live and she added chorus vocals and rap breaks to the recorded music.

Upon check-in, guests were given a pair of footie socks – one black, one white – and asked to remove their shoes at the door. Soon the former church, candles blazing at the former altar, took on a sock-hop feel as guests sipped on “Electric Lady” cocktails and enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres served in white gloves. Monae did speak briefly before getting right into the music, explaining that “The Electric Lady” was actually a series of paintings she created while performing live, a trademark of her shows. The day-glo alpha woman comes to sonic life in the new songs, which Monae explained relate how she feels about society, sexuality and more.

 

Based on the tracks we heard, The Electric Lady will be right at home in the clubs. The album seems a more commercial effort than the rock-n-soul femme’s debut, the highly quirky and often brilliant The Arch Android (appropriately, the cover is more a glamourous shot than the previous one’s sci-fi theme). Quite a few between-the-eyes dance tracks on this one; the title track and “Victory” both sported the kind of generalized empowerment messages beloved by Essence mag. Recent New Orleans transplant, Solange Knowles sings on the title track, and the power ballad “PrimeTime” is a radio-ready collaboration with R&B stage-diver, Miguel. She also collaborates  with her “power twin” Erykah Badu on the single “Q.U.E.E.N.,” already making viral rounds with its video. Monae even weaves rap into this one, executing a solid 16 bars after a jazzy break-down; and rapped it live at the party.

That doesn’t mean that the deeper cuts won’t be quirkier: we didn’t get to hear the Prince collaboration, “Givin’ ‘Em What They Love,” likely to be one of the highlights, nor the Esperanza Spalding duet. And we’re pleased to note that her cover of the Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back,” a highlight of her Essence Fest set, will be one of the bonus tracks.

The Electric Lady will be released on September 10, and if there was any doubt, Friday’s event proved she’s got her share of passionate fans who emulate her distinctive style. In fact, we saw a good half-dozen Janelle clones in the crowd, which almost kept us from noticing when the real one finally walked by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Janelle Monae featuring Badoula Oblongata (Erykah Badu) – “Q.U.E.E.N.”