![]() ![]() TUCKER: The undulating rhythm of that song is typical of the range of sounds and styles Monae uses with such serene confidence. I only (I only), I only (I only), I only have eyes for two. That's when I knew I only (I only), I only (I only), I only have eyes for two. But we all smiled and said, it's all right 'cause you're the one. MONAE: (Singing) I like to love with my eyes closed. Listen to the use of an acoustic piano on this song called "Only Have Eyes 42." It's as though Thelonious Monk walked in to plink out a couple of chords to provide the song with its hook. In contrast to this, "The Age Of Pleasure" is intentionally smaller-scaled, more intimate, in some ways more low-key and low-fi. Monae's version crossed the science fiction of Octavia Butler with the pop eclecticism of Stevie Wonder. TUCKER: Monae's previous album, the grandly ambitious "Dirty Computer," came out in 2018, the same year as the first "Black Panther" movie, and filled with a similar kind of Afrofuturism. Yeah, baby, pay me in pleasure, pleasure, pleasure, pleasure. Baby, if you pay me in pleasure, I'ma keep it coming, coming, come, come, coming. ![]() Baby, if you pay me in pleasure, I'ma keep it coming forever. Spend it all on me, all on me, all on me, all on me. MONAE: (Singing) I want my love made to your measure. KEN TUCKER, BYLINE: From the moment Janelle Monae began her new album by rapping, I'm feeling much lighter, I float, I was drawn in by this completely disarming collection called "The Age Of Pleasure." No matter what mood you're in, it dissolves any resistance you may have about giving in to its joy, its seductiveness, its glowing positivity. I look around, and I get that rush, maybe cause tonight you're going to be my - oh. JANELLE MONAE: (Singing) I look into your eyes, and I get that rush, maybe 'cause tonight you're going to be my crush. She's also established herself as an actor, co-starring in the film "Hidden Figures," which was nominated for an Oscar in 2017, and in the film that won best picture that year, "Moonlight." Last year, she co-starred in the popular Netflix film "The Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery." Last month, Monae released her fourth album, "The Age Of Pleasure." Before we hear our interview with Monae, rock critic Ken Tucker has a review of her latest album. In recent years, Monae has been more public about her own gender identity, coming out as nonbinary and choosing the pronouns they/them as well as she/her. Her music is an eclectic and unique blend of Afrofuturist funk, soul and hip-hop, filled with sci-fi and gender-bending imagery. To celebrate the July 4 holiday, we're reaching into our archives for an interview Terry Gross recorded with singer, songwriter and actor Janelle Monae.
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