Janelle Monáe - The Electric Lady

Monáe may be pop’s most fashionable innovator. The Kansas City native, recently chosen as the new face of CoverGirl, has been turning heads ever since releasing her debut album, The ArchAndroid, in 2010. A collection of psychedelic soul with a sci-fi twist, it featured both her android alter-ego Cindi Mayweather and her Grammy-nominated r&b hit “Tightrope.” With Monáe’s fondness for tuxedos, bowties and a distinctive pompadour, she was also seen in an eye-catching cameo for fun.’s video “We Are Young.” Now the 27-year-old beauty has released a dazzling followup, another concept album that continues her cyborg thematic storyline. With guests ranging from Prince and Erykah Badu to Beyonce’s sister Solange and jazz star Esperanza Spalding and mixing hip-hop, soul, funk, reggae and even film score touches, it’s a wildly ambitious collection. But Monáe pulls it off with thrilling funk-pop tracks like “We Were Rock and Roll” and the insanely catchy swing-hop number “Dance Apocalyptic,” both of which show off her dynamic vocals. Power up, as a caller to the album’s fictional radio station says, to r&b’s stylish, time-travelling android.